S.C. Code Regs. § 19-445.3000
Under Section 11-35-5340, a school district is exempt from the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code (except for a procurement audit) if the district has its own procurement code which is, in the written opinion of the Division of Procurement Services of the State Fiscal Accountability Authority, substantially similar to the provisions of the Consolidated Procurement Code and regulations in effect at the time the opinion is issued.
The authority and responsibilities under Section 11-35-5340 are hereby delegated to the Materials Management Officer.
To qualify for approval, a district code should largely mirror, but need not be identical to, the Consolidated Procurement Code. Because a district code needs only to be substantially similar to the consolidated procurement code and regulations, a district code may accommodate the differing context of school districts (e.g., differences between state government and local school district operations, including size, purchasing staff resources, volume and type of procurements, and structure of its governing body and executive hierarchy) as long as it preserves the sound procurement policies and practices underlying the rules found in the consolidated procurement code and regulations.
Covered District means a school district subject to the requirements of Section 11-35-5340. Model code means a model school district procurement code and any subsequent modifications to the model code, including instructions regarding how each district may customize the model code to an individual district's organizational structure.
By requiring a written opinion, Section 11-35-5340 provides for an exercise of judgment. The best interest of the state is served by exercising this judgment in a consistent manner. Accordingly, the Materials Management Office may publish guidance regarding its exercise of this judgment, including publication of a model code. In developing a model code, the Materials Management Officer should consult with all covered districts and the State Department of Education. Any model should be designed to serve and comply with the purposes and policies enumerated in Section 11-35-20 in the specific context of local school district operations, with due regard for minimizing administrative costs of compliance with the model code. Prior to publishing a model code, the Materials Management Officer must determine in writing that the model code is substantially similar to the provisions of the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code and these procurement regulations. Any school district may adopt the model code.
A written opinion issued pursuant to Section 11-35-5340 remains valid for a covered district's procurement code until the covered district seeks and receives a written opinion for modifications to its procurement code.
A procurement code adopted by a school district in accordance with all applicable law shall have the full force and effect of law.
S.C. Code Regs. 19-445.3000