Missoula County implemented a Purchasing and Contracts Policy in 2008, which has been revised a number of times since. It is the guiding document for all county departments for the procurement of goods, services, and construction projects. In general, published notice is required by statute for purchases in excess of $80,000, and the Missoulian provides such public notice in its Sunday classifieds section. See below for the requests for bids and proposals although it is possible that the Missoulian contains legal ads for Missoula County projects that are not reflected here.

Purchases requiring published notice generally are obtained using the following methods:

Goods – Invitation for Bids (IFB)

In response to a request for a specified quantity and quality of goods, vendors submit sealed bids which are opened and read upon bid closing. The bid is awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder.

Goods or Services – Request for Proposals (RFP)

In response to a particular county need or stated problem, vendors submit proposed solutions to the need or problem. After the deadline for submitting RFPs, proposals are evaluated against stated criteria. The contract is awarded to the vendor whose proposal receives the highest score against such stated criteria, with cost being only one of the criteria.

Services – Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

In response for a need for professional services, vendors submit professional qualifications. The submissions are evaluated against stated criteria, and a contract is awarded to the vendor whose qualifications best meet the criteria stated. An RFQ is used for the procurement of architectural, engineering, and land surveying services in excess of $20,000.