If the expenditure for single items such as pens, pencils or staples does not exceed $20,000 can the BOCES purchase these items without competitive bids?
No. The law has been interpreted to cover a group of materials, supplies or equipment. It does not refer to individual items or to only one type of writing instrument. In this case, the interpretation is that these single “like items” should be included in the grouping called “office supplies” and if the BOCES requires more than $20,000 in office supplies during a given fiscal year (7/1-6/30), all requirements must be bid as an annual requirement.
