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PROCUREMENT

                          BY BILL MUNCH, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB
                          Textbook Adoption Basics



        Bill Munch
        Oh my gosh! Another school year is here. Earlier starts,  So  the  textbook  adoption  statutes  are  ARS  §15-721
        later starts, 4-day calendars, online learning and the list  for elementary schools (the statute calls them common
        goes on. Things are so different than when we went to  schools) and A.R.S. §15-722 for high schools.
        school!
                                                                The exemption only applies when you're purchasing the
        Happy to say I got through my 30th Annual Conference  textbooks from the publisher; not third parties or other
        and came out on the other end. Never ceases to amaze  dealers. Used textbook purchases and any supplemental
        me how well we network to the benefit of the children  items that are not purchased from the publisher are NOT
        of Arizona!                                             exempt from the procurement rules.

        As we head into 2023-2024, I continue to receive  Any services related to curriculum are not covered by
        questions about textbook adoptions and just how it is  the statute and you must follow the procurement rules
        supposed  to  work.  School  business  officials  want  to  and do an RFP (or other procurement allowed by the
        remain compliant. Since some of this article will include  rules; possibly a sole source).
        my professional procurement philosophies, I am going
        to take the liberty of paraphrasing the Gary Barkman  You also must do an RFP even for textbooks if your
        Doctrine again:                                         district decides to fund the purchases using federal funds.
                                                                You have to follow the textbook adoption rules and do
        The  following  does  NOT  constitute  legal  advice  but  an RFP because the federal rules require an RFP. There
        merely best practice recommendations from an old but  is no textbook adoption rule utilizing federal funds.
        certified public procurement official.                  You might be able to tweak a sole source for a federal
                                                                textbook adoption but it is not my first recommendation.
        I wish this was a simple discussion but multiple statutes  You have to follow the textbook adoption statutes when
        and rules come into play. I'll do the best I can to simplify it.  adopting textbooks for your district or else you have to
                                                                follow the procurement rules.
        First of all, you can only do an adoption for textbooks.
        The definition of textbooks is covered in statute:      Hope this simple explanation helps. Let me know if I
                                                                need to further clarify. Happy to discuss anytime.
        “Textbook means printed instructional materials or
        digital content, or both, and related printed or non-printed  The purpose of my article was not to dictate, but rather
        instructional materials, that are written and published  to inform to help your district develop its own strategy
        primarily for use in school instruction and that are required  for textbook adoptions. When used appropriately, this
        by a state educational agency or a local education agency  type of procurement can be beneficial. GOOD LUCK
        for use by pupils in the classroom, including materials  and may all your procurement dreams come true!
        that require the availability of electronic equipment in
        order to be used as a learning resource."
                                                                Bill Munch, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB, is the Procurement
        R7-2-1002(C)(7)  says  the  rules  do  not  apply  to:  "7.   Compliance  and  Training  Officer  for  Valley  Schools
        Expenditures  for governing board  adopted  textbooks   Management Group and serves as a Chapter Ambassador for
        as defined in A.R.S. §15-721 and A.R.S. §15-722, if     the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). He
        purchased from the publisher."                          may be reached at: bmunch@vsit.org


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