761—180.5(314) Solicitation of quotations.
	180.5(1) A governmental entity shall solicit competitive quotations for a public improvement for vertical infrastructure when the estimated total cost of the public improvement for vertical infrastructure exceeds the competitive quotation threshold established in Iowa Code section 26.14, as adjusted pursuant to Iowa Code section 314.1B, but is less than the competitive bid threshold established in Iowa Code section 26.3, as adjusted pursuant to Iowa Code section 314.1B. The adjusted thresholds are published on the department’s website at www.iowadot.gov.
	180.5(2) The governmental entity shall make a good-faith effort to obtain quotations for the work from at least two contractors regularly engaged in such work prior to letting a contract. Quotations shall be obtained by means of either an oral or a written solicitation directed to not less than two contractors.
	180.5(3) Each solicitation shall include a description of the work to be performed, and plans and specifications for the work prepared by an architect or engineer if required by Iowa Code chapter 542B or 544A. (See 193B—Chapter 5 or rule 193C—1.5(542B) for additional guidelines.) In its solicitation, the governmental entity shall advise each contractor that it has an opportunity to inspect the work site. Each contractor requesting to inspect the work site shall be provided an equal and adequate opportunity to do so.
	180.5(4) Additional information deemed pertinent by the governmental entity, or requested by a contractor, may be provided by the governmental entity if the same information is provided to all contractors from which quotations are solicited. If the information is provided in written form to a contractor, it shall be provided in the same form to all contractors from which quotations are solicited.
	180.5(5) In its solicitation, the governmental entity shall:
	a. 	Specify the required form and content of quotations. (See rule 761—180.7(314).)
	b. 	Require that quotations be filed by a particular time, at a particular location and with a particular office or representative of the governmental entity.
	c. 	Establish the acceptable method(s) for delivery of quotations. The governmental entity may specify any or all of the following methods of delivery: mail, facsimile, electronic mail, or delivery in-hand.
	180.5(6) As required by Iowa Code section 573.2, the governmental entity shall in its solicitation inform quoting contractors of the obligation of the contractor awarded the contract to provide a performance and payment bond to secure the performance and timely completion of the work and to secure the payment of subcontractors and suppliers.
	180.5(7) In its solicitation, the governmental entity may require each quoting contractor to:
	a. 	Provide along with its quotation a quotation bond, or other quotation security or evidence of its responsibility, to assure that it will enter into a contract to perform the work and that it will provide the required performance and payment bond.
	b. 	Commit to the execution of a contract for the work in a form required by the governmental entity.
	c. 	Commit to commencement and completion dates for the work as directed by the governmental entity.
	d. 	File evidence of insurance, as specified by the governmental entity, with its quotation, or commit to filing such evidence of insurance upon award of the contract to perform the work.
	180.5(8) In its solicitation, the governmental entity may provide that it will issue special sales tax exemption certificates to contractors and subcontractors, pursuant to Iowa Code section 423.3, subsection 80.
[ARC 3448C, IAB 11/8/17, effective 12/13/17; ARC 6705C, IAB 11/30/22, effective 1/4/23]