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What is an IFB, and does the lowest price really win every time on a sealed bid?

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Short answer · from the accepted reply
  • Yes, for an Invitation for Bid, the lowest price wins if your bid is responsive and you are a responsible contractor.
  • Grace is correct that for a county bid, you need to check the county's specific procurement rules.
  • The county will determine responsibility by evaluating your financial resources, performance record, and integrity.
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I'm a concrete contractor in Jacksonville, and I'm looking at a county Invitation for Bid (IFB) for sidewalk repair. The solicitation number is 24-003, NAICS code 237310. It closes next Tuesday at 2 PM with a public bid opening right after. My crew has done a lot of these smaller jobs, so I know our costs. The county portal says they will award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

Everyone I talk to says that for an IFB, the lowest price wins, period. I'm trying to figure out if that's really true. What does "responsive and responsible" actually mean for a county bid like this? Is it just a formality, or do I need to worry about more than just having the lowest price? My worry is pricing this thing to the bone if there's a chance I could win with a slightly higher, more realistic bid.

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asked Jordan P. First-year bidder, landscaping and grounds · Jacksonville, FL · 156 rep

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Yes, for an Invitation for Bid, the lowest price wins if your bid is responsive and you are a responsible contractor. Grace is correct that for a county bid, you need to check the county's specific procurement rules. The county will determine responsibility by evaluating your financial resources, performance record, and integrity. This is not a formality. The county will check for things like debarment status, adequate insurance, and your ability to meet the schedule. If your bid contains exceptions to the county's terms and conditions, or if you fail to submit required forms, your bid may be deemed non-responsive and therefore rejected, regardless of price.

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answered Dana K. Retired contracting officer, 22 years · Alexandria, VA · 141 rep
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An Invitation for Bid (IFB) is a solicitation method used when the government expects to award a fixed-price contract, and the lowest price generally wins, provided the bidder is responsive and responsible. For federal contracts, this process is governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 14, Sealed Bidding. For a county bid, the specific rules will be in the county's procurement code and often detailed in the vendor guide on their procurement portal. "Responsive" means your bid conforms in all material respects to the IFB, for example, submitting all required forms and meeting the specifications. "Responsible" means you have the capability to perform the contract requirements, which includes financial resources, past performance, and an acceptable record of integrity. While the lowest price is a primary factor in an IFB, your bid must still be responsive and you must be determined responsible to be considered for award.

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answered Grace L. Verified vendorGSA Schedule contract holder, office products and services · Chicago, IL · 321 rep

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Sign up to answerCite the FAR clause or procurement code where you can.

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