Every county purchase above the bidding threshold has to pass through the county's governing board: the commissioners court in Texas, the board of commissioners in Indiana, the board of supervisors in Iowa. Their agendas are public, usually posted a few days before each meeting.
What to look for
| Agenda item | What it means |
|---|---|
| "Authorize advertisement for bids / request for proposals for…" | A bid is coming soon |
| Public hearing on plans, specifications and estimated cost | A construction bid is imminent (common in Iowa) |
| Approve engineering or architect contract for… | A construction project is in design; the bid comes later |
| Grant award or acceptance | Money for a specific purchase has arrived |
| Budget amendment or additional appropriation | Money is being moved to buy something |
| Contract renewal, extension or expiration | A re-bid may be coming |
| Bid award / bid tabulation | Who won, at what price |
How to use what you find
- Prepare early: line up suppliers, bonding and staff before the bid is posted.
- Introduce yourself: contact the purchasing office or department to say you'd like to receive the bid. Respect any no-contact rules once a solicitation is issued.
- Learn prices: tabulations in backup materials show what competitors bid.
Make it a habit
Check agendas for your counties weekly, and download backup packets for anything relevant. FactWise's meeting signals read the agendas and minutes for you and flag the items that match your business.
Questions
Where do I find county agendas?
On the county website or its agenda system (such as Legistar, CivicClerk or CivicPlus Agenda Center). Each FactWise county page lists where its agendas are published.