Procurement
The California Online Community College District (DBA “Calbright”) complies with all provisions of the California Education, Government, and Public Contract Codes as well as Board of Trustees’ policy. Calbright ensures that purchasing procedures are properly established and followed as described below.
Rules, Regulations, Policies, and Procedures
Click here to view Calbright’s policies on Purchasing and Contracts.
Procurement Methods and Thresholds
| Item | Decentralized Procurement | Assisted Procurement |
| Supplies Materials Equipment Services | Procurements of $114,500, as adjusted, or less are made on a decentralized basis at the department level. | Procurements exceeding $114,500, as adjusted, are made with the assistance of the Finance Department to ensure that proper bidding and contracting procedures are followed. View current listing of Bid and Procurement Opportunities. |
| Bid Type | Purchase Amount | Requirements |
| Informal | $20,000 to $114,500 | Three written quotes should be obtained. |
| Formal | $114,500* or more | Requires purchasing coordination, advertisement, and sealed bids. |
| * Public Contract Code section 20651. Please note that this threshold is subject to adjustment; $114,500 is the threshold for 2024. |
Public Project
Competitive bidding is required for contracts relating to any “public project” (i.e., most construction projects) involving an expenditure of more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000). Such contracts must be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, who shall give security as the Board requires, or else reject all bids.
Small Business Exception
Subject to the limitations set forth in Public Contract Code section 20651.2, Calbright may award a contract for the acquisition of goods, services, or information technology that has an estimated value of greater than five thousand dollars ($5,000), but less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000), to a certified small business, including a microbusiness, or to a disabled veteran business enterprise, if Calbright obtains price quotations from two or more certified small businesses, including microbusinesses, or from two or more disabled veteran business enterprises.
Interested in Doing Business with Calbright?
To receive updates regarding bids, requests for proposals, and other solicitations, please register through PlanetBids.
Note to Vendors
Purchases made in the name of Calbright without a Purchase Order shall be considered an obligation of the person making the purchase and not an obligation of Calbright. All invoices shall be submitted to ap@calbright.org.
Equal Opportunity
Calbright is an Equal Opportunity Employer and conducts its business activities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, physical disabilities, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Vendor Tax Forms
Federal Tax Forms
If you do not provide a valid taxpayer identification number (TIN), then we are required to withhold a certain percentage on any payments made to individuals or business entities that provide services (Internal Revenue Code, section 3406(a)(1)(a)).
Domestic Vendors
- Complete the IRS Form W-9. Visit the IRS website for instructions on filling out the W-9.
California Tax Forms
We are required to withhold certain amounts on payments made to non-California individuals or business entities (including corporations) that provide services in California (per California Revenue and Tax Code, section 18662 and related regulations).
If you do not provide a completed California Form 590 or California Form 587 with a determination letter from the Franchise Tax Board, then backup withholding will go into effect.
California Businesses
If you have a permanent place of business in California or you are qualified to do business through the California Secretary of State, then complete:
Non-California Businesses
If you do not have a permanent place of business in California or you are not qualified to do business through the California Secretary of State, then complete:
If you completed Form 587 and want to request a waiver from withholding or reduced withholding for the State of California, then also complete Form 588 or Form 589. For either of these forms, you need to submit the original to the Franchise Tax Board to obtain a determination letter. You will provide us with a copy of your determination letter – not the form itself.
- Franchise Tax Board Form 588 – Nonresident Withholding Waiver Request
- Franchise Tax Board Form 589 – Nonresident Reduced Withholding Request
General Information
The policies and procedures that govern and apply to Calbright are found in various State laws, including but not limited to the Education Code, the Public Contract Code, and the Government Code, as well as in the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees.
Under law, the Board of Trustees has the ultimate responsibility for purchases and contracts of Calbright. The Board of Trustees, in accordance with Education Code Section 81656, delegates that responsibility and power to the President/Chief Executive Officer to approve and sign purchase orders, contracts, and other purchasing documents and instruments when the total value of such item is under $100,000.
