R33-6-101. Competitive Sealed Bidding; Multiple Stage Bidding; Reverse Auction

  (1) Competitive Sealed Bidding shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements set forth in Sections 63G-6a-601 through 63G-6a-612. All definitions in the Utah Procurement Code shall apply to this Rule unless otherwise specified in this Rule. This administrative rule provides additional requirements and procedures and must be used in conjunction with the Procurement Code.

  (2) The conducting procurement unit is responsible for all content contained in the competitive sealed bidding, multiple stage bidding, and reverse auction solicitation documents, including:

  (a) reviewing all schedules, dates, and timeframes;

  (b) approving content of attachments;

  (c) providing the issuing procurement unit with redacted documents, as applicable;

  (d) assuring that information contained in the solicitation documents is public information; and

  (e) understanding the description of the procurement item(s)being sought, all criteria, requirements, factors, and formulas to be used for determining the lowest responsible bidder and responsive bid.

  (3)(a) The award of a contract shall be to the responsible bidder with the lowest responsive bid who meets the objective criteria described in the invitation for bids.

  (b) Bids shall be based on the lowest bid for the entire term of the contract, excluding renewal periods.

  (c) Unless an exception is authorized in writing by the chief procurement officer or head of a procurement unit with independent procurement authority, cost may not be divided or evaluated on any other basis than the entire term of the contract, excluding renewal periods.