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HomePublic Utilities CodeDiv. 10Pt. 14Ch. 5Art. 2§ 102222 Public Contract Bidding Rules

§ 102222 Public Contract Bidding Rules

Public Utilities Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 102222 Public Contract Bidding Rules

This law tells the district how to buy supplies, equipment, or materials: if the cost is more than $3,000 but not more than $125,000, they must get at least three quotes and pick the lowest responsible bidder or the one that offers the best overall value; the rules don’t apply in an emergency.

Key Takeaways

  • •If a purchase is over $3,000 but not over $125,000, you need at least three quotes.
  • •The district can choose the lowest responsible bidder or the bidder that gives the best overall value.
  • •The rules do not apply if the board declares an emergency with a four‑fifths vote.

Example

A school district wants to buy a new computer system that will cost $50,000.

Because $50,000 is more than $3,000 but less than $125,000, the district must ask at least three vendors for written quotes and then choose the bidder that gives the best value based on quality, price, and other factors described in the request.

How to Calculate

If Cost > $3,000 AND Cost ≤ $125,000 THEN obtain at least 3 quotations

  1. Look at the total price of the purchase.
  2. Check if the price is greater than $3,000.
  3. Also check if the price is less than or equal to $125,000.
  4. If both conditions are true, the district must collect at least three quotes.

Purchase of a $50,000 computer system

Result: 50000 > 3000 AND 50000 ≤ 125000 = true, so at least 3 quotations are required

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 102222 Public Contract Bidding Rules

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), contracts for the purchase of supplies, equipment, and materials in excess of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000) shall be by contract let to the lowest responsible bidder or, in the district’s discretion, to the responsible bidder that submitted a proposal that provides the best value, as defined in paragraph (1), to the district on the basis of the factors identified in the solicitation. (1) For purposes of this section, “best value” means the overall combination of quality, price, and other elements of a proposal that, when considered together, provide the greatest overall benefit in response to the requirements described in the solicitation documents. (2) To the extent practicable, when the expected procurement required exceeds three thousand dollars ($3,000) but does not exceed one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000), a minimum of three quotations shall be obtained, either written or oral, which permit prices and other terms to be compared. (b) The provisions of subdivision (a) do not apply in the case of an emergency declared by a four-fifths vote of the board of directors. (c) This section applies solely to the procurement of supplies, equipment, and materials and shall not apply to construction contracts. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 182, Sec. 4. (AB 2015) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

finedirectoremergencyofferbenefitcontractequipmentdiscretion

Related Statutes

  • § 106057 Public Contract Bidding Rules
  • § 100121 Vta Contracting Authority
  • § 100125 Vta Contractor Services Authority
  • § 102221 District Contracting Authority
  • § 102225 District Contractor Services

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Public Utilities Code. Section 102222.
View Official Source