The solicitation used to initiate a procurement conducted by sealed bidding is known as an Invitation for Bids (IFB).
If the Contracting Officer issues an IFB, the Contracting Officer shall allow prospective bidders a reasonable time to prepare and submit bids. Except in the event of an emergency, this time period shall be no less than ten (10) business days.
The evaluation factors used in sealed bid procurements are limited to price and price-related factors (including price evaluation preferences for CBEs).
The IFB shall specify:
Any changes in the information set forth in an IFB must be made by an amendment to the IFB.
Bids shall be submitted by a method specifically permitted by the IFB (for example, hand delivery, mailing, electronic transmission, or fax).
A bid may be withdrawn or modified at any time before bid opening by any of the methods permitted for submitting bids.
A late bid (or late modification or withdrawal) shall not be considered, unless such delay is caused by the Hospital.
The Contracting Officer shall prepare and maintain in the contract file an abstract listing the bid prices.
The contract shall be awarded to the qualified bidder whose bid is responsive to the IFB and is most advantageous to the Hospital considering only price and the price-related evaluation factors identified in the IFB.
To be considered responsive, a bid must comply in all material respects with the IFB. Responsiveness involves matters that relate to the bid itself as opposed to the responsibility or other qualifications of the bidder. In determining whether a bid is responsive, the Contracting Officer has the discretion to permit correction of minor informalities or irregularities.
The Contracting Officer shall endeavor to include with every IFB solicitation the form of the contract that the contractor will be required to enter into. To the greatest extent possible, the Contracting Officer should endeavor to provide clear and concise contract documents. Contracts which consist of the solicitation, the proposal, and other documents attached together but not integrated into a single contract document are discouraged.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 27, r. 27-4619