Is it necessary to follow bid requirements for textbooks or library books?
In most instances, competitive bidding is not required due to the fact that there is normally only one source, the publisher, and/or the subject matter is copyrighted. Some library books can be secured via the bidding process and can also be purchased under New York state contracts. Items in this category are generally classified as proprietary supplies, in which case there would be no advantage to BOCES in going through the competitive bidding process. If there is a question concerning the fact of copyright, etc., a letter will be sent to the publisher requesting clarification.
