The Barton Community College Board of Trustees is considering changes that might give more vendors a chance to bid on BCC contracts.
At a board study session on Tuesday, trustees reviewed proposed changes to Barton’s bidding procedures. The board may vote on whether to adopt the changes at its next business meeting, on June 21.
Under the proposed changes, purchases over $50,000 still cannot be made without seeking at least three competitive quotes, requests for proposals, or sealed bids, submitted on prepared specifications. Preference is given to Barton County vendors who can provide like quality products and services and who meet bids within 5 percent. The final purchase would still require board approval.
One change would be that projects over $50,000 must be submitted to the Great Bend Chamber Plan Room. This allows vendors another opportunity to see what is out there to bid on. Dean of Administration Mark Dean said the proposed changes also include a website for vendors to register their company names and the types of things they would like to bid on. The list will be considered for projects over $3,000. The projects also require seeking bids but can be made with the president’s approval.
Dean also reported on next year’s premiums for property, liability and worker’s comp insurance, which will increase from $287,825 to about $308,031 — about 15 percent. Kansas experienced a lot of storm damage last year, “and so our premiums are going up,” Dean said.
“We did not bid this out,” he added.
For ongoing services, and complex agreements, the college may continue with a vendor for several years without seeking bids. Charles Perkins, Barton’s Dean of Information Services, reported on another contract of that type — the one for campus Internet service. It would not be beneficial to change service providers frequently, Perkins said.
This is not the Internet that students have in their dorm rooms, which is available from Cox. Barton has used KanREN (Kansas Research and Educational Network) for its Internet connection since 1993. Next year’s cost will be $60,140, compared to the current $55,525. “Internet cost is cheaper, but we constantly need more,” Perkins said.
In other business Tuesday, trustees:
• Reviewed the college emergency succession plan, which outlines what to do if the college finds itself without a president on short notice. BCC President Dr. Carl Heilman said, “It is a necessary document that all institutions should have in place.” Perkins added that having the policy raised BCC’s score on one quality test.
• Heard from Vice President Dr. Penny Quinn, who said an on-site visit from representatives of the Higher Learning Center — which accredits Barton — will visit the campus Nov. 6-8.
• Discussed possible dates for a board retreat, and agreed it might be good to schedule one in October in place of that month’s study session.
• Discussed next year’s officers for trustees. Chairman Mike Johnson, who was not able to attend, sent word he is will to continue in that roll for another year, as is vice-chairman John Mosier.
Tuesday’s meeting was a change from the typical schedule, which sets study sessions on the first Thursday of the month and business meetings on the third Thursday of the month. An article in Tuesday’s Great Bend Tribune gave the incorrect date for this Tuesday meeting, which was changed due to scheduling conflicts.