Why does a school district issue an RFP for custodial services when the county next door uses a sealed bid?

A school district and a county use different solicitation methods because they operate under different state and local procurement regulations. Federal government acquisitions follow the FAR, but state and local entities, like a school district or a county, follow their own state procurement code and local ordinances, which can vary significantly even between neighboring jurisdictions. Your state's education code or local school board policies likely allow the school district to use an RFP for services, especially when factors beyond just price are important for quality and performance. The county, conversely, might be mandated by its own code to use an IFB for straightforward services where price is the primary driver.

When a school board weighs narrative and interview factors against price, they are usually looking for the "best value tradeoff", where a higher-priced offer might be chosen if it offers significant technical advantages. For the RFP, focus on demonstrating your firm's value, specific approaches, and past successes that align with their stated needs and evaluation criteria. For the IFB, a competitive price is paramount, so ensure your cost structure is lean and efficient for the defined scope of work.