Public Contracting in Ohio

A step-by-step guide to the State, County, Town, and Municipal purchasing systems in Ohio.

How they work
Taking advantage of business opportunities including public works
Effectively managing the process – from initial bidding to final payment

Learn how the State and local governments award public contracts in Ohio

Ohio governmental entities — State agencies, institutions of higher education, counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions — offer extraordinary opportunities for the sale of supplies, services, and construction. The key for an individual or company seeking to do business with any Ohio government entity: Understanding how the public contracting system works; how it differs from commercial transactions; and for those companies doing federal business, how it differs from contracting with the Federal Government.

The purpose of this course: To show you how to effectively take advantage of available contracting opportunities at all levels of government in the State of Ohio and educate you about the special procedures and strategies you need to know.

Who will benefit from this course? All individuals, agencies or companies who are directly or indirectly involved with public business in Ohio. It will assist companies seeking to enter the market and provide goods and services to state, county, municipal, or other agency departments. It will also support those companies who are already involved in public contracting hoping to quickly update their knowledge of public contracting requirements. This special one-day program will benefit company executives and project managers, sales directors, program managers, contract administrators, marketing personnel, attorneys, government personnel, insurers, and others.

The Course Curriculum illustrates how this program will take you, step-by-step, through the full cycle of the public contracting process—Locating and developing opportunities. . . competing for awards. . . contract administration. . . disputes resolution, while addressing specific procurement needs— supplies, services, information technology, construction, and more. Further, the specialized characteristics of Ohio public contract law are highlighted and common approaches used as examples.

The program will be presented by a veteran professional Course Director who will teach in terms and using resources you can apply to your individual needs. Each attendee will receive a Course Manual of original materials prepared by the Course Director for your use during the program and as a source-book of continuing value to you.

We look forward to having you join us.

Attendees will learn about the nuts and bolts of contracting with Ohio agencies, cities, townships, and counties. This seminar focuses on all parts of the contracting process including the solicitation phase, contract close out, and the disputes process.

Public Contracting in Ohio Course Curriculum

Introduction
1. Public Contracting vs. Commercial Contracting
2. Lexicon
Sources of Public Contract Law
1. Ohio Revised Code
2. Ohio Administrative Code
3. City Ordinances
4. Case Decisions
Responding to Solicitations
1. Instructions to Offerors/Bidders
2. Site Visit
3. Bid Meeting and Questions
4. Amendments
5. Roles of Procurement Officials
6. Contract Authority
  1. Apparent
  2. Actual
7. Certifications
8. Penalties for False Certifications
9. Buy American provisions
10. Sub-contracting Considerations
11. Buy Ohio
12. Socioeconomic Concerns
13. Model System of Preference
14. Evaluation Factors and Contract Award
  1. Responsiveness
  2. Discretion
  3. Evaluation Criteria
  4. Ohio Admin Code requirements
  5. ORC Requirements
  6. City Code Requirements
  7. Case Law
15. Award
Protests
1. Administrative Procedures
2. Ohio Case Law
Terminations
1. Convenience
2. Default
Claims and Disputes
1. Administrative Procedures
2. Ohio Case Law
3. Interpretation Principles
4. Role of UCC
5. State Open Records Law
6. Differing Site Conditions
7. Defective Government Property
8. Change Orders
9. Constructive Changes
10. Delay and Disruption
11. Defective Government Property
12. Pricing Changes
13. Breach of Contract
14. Inspection and Acceptance
15. Oral Contracts

Course Directors

Christopher J. Aluotto is a Partner with Rendigs, Fry, Kiely & Dennis L.L.P. and works on issues relating to government contracts and environmental law. He is a member of the Ohio and Kentucky bars and is admitted to the following courts: U.S. Court of Federal Claims, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Mr. Aluotto was a lawyer on active duty with the United States Air Force before joining Rendigs.

Michael P. Foley is a Partner with Rendigs, Fry, Kiely & Dennis, L.L.P. and focuses his practice on Commercial Litigation, Government Contracting, Construction, and Municipal Government Liability. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the Federal Court of Claims.