Each invitiation to bid is posted on our website and can be found under the section titled "Current Solicitations". 

All formal bids and proposals must be signed by an authorized employee of the submitting company; and must be received, in a sealed envelope, by Purchasing at the following location prior to the due date and time noted on the bid or proposal:

Anoka-Hennepin School District
Educational Service Center
Attn: Tiffany Audette, Purchasing Manager
2727 North Ferry Street, Entrance 1
Anoka, MN 55303

The district will not accept faxed, emailed or late bids or proposals.

For formal bids, vendors are welcome to attend the bid opening. All bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. The final bid tabulation is available upon request. All bids received after the time stated will not be considered. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail or on the handling of mail by employees of the school district. 

In the event of any conflict between this posting and the terms and conditions of the solicitation document(s), the terms and conditions of the solicitation document(s) shall apply.

Building closure

In the event of a unforeseen closure at the Anoka-Hennepin School District site, that is designated in the solicitation for the receipt and opening of bids and/or proposals, at the date and time of the scheduled opening, the Procurement Department postpones the receipt and opening of bids and/or proposals as scheduled. The due date and time, specified for the receipt of bids and/or proposals is deemed to be extended, to the same time of day specified in the solicitation and on the first subsequent operational business day, unless otherwise amended prior to the due date and time.

• Bids
• Proposals
• Quotations
• Request for Information

All questions pertaining to bid specifications must be presented in writing to PurchQuotes@ahschools.us by the date and time indicated in the solicitiation documents. This ensures that all questions can be addressed in a fair and transparent manner with all answers provided to interested bidders.

Substitutions

The use of approved manufacturer, brand and/or catalog description in specifying any item does not restrict vendors to that manufacturer, brand or catalog description identification. This is used simply to indicate the character, quality, or performance equivalence of the commodity desired, and the commodity on which bids are submitted must be of such character, quality, or equivalence that it will serve the purpose for which it is to be used equally well as that specified, and be acceptable to the using department. 

All substitution requests must be submitted during the question period indicated on the solicitation for review. A complete description of the proposed substitution including packing and shipping quantities and color samples for the manufacturer which it is to be substituted must be included in the substitution requests. All subsitutions must meet or exceed the specifications.

Prior to shipping goods or providing services, the awarded Vendor(s) will receive a Purchase Order or will be required to execute some other form of a formal Contract.

Goods shipped or services performed prior to a District issued Purchase Order or an executed (fully signed) Contract will be considered a donation.

Questions and/or determination inquiries

THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS WILL BE MADE PART OF THE PURCHASE ORDER CONTRACT, AND VENDOR BY ACCEPTANCE OF AN ORDER AGREES THERETO: 

• The District will not be liable for goods furnished without a valid purchase order signed by the Purchasing Manager.
• Detailed invoices must be mailed directly to the Purchasing Department at the Educational Service Center, 2727 North Ferry Street, Anoka, Minnesota, 55303 or emailed to PurchAP@ahschools.us.
• All correspondence, including but not limited to: shipping labels, invoices, and packing lists must clearly indicate the purchase order number.
• No alternation of any of the terms, conditions, delivery, price, quantities, or specifications of this order will be effective without prior written consent of the Purchasing department – or a revised purchase order.
• Attached lists of materials, specifications, or drawings shall form part of this purchase order where references is made thereto.
• Discount period begins upon receipt of invoice, date product is received, or date any applicable discrepancy is resolved, whichever is later. Non-discountable invoices will be paid thirty five (35) days after receipt of invoice, completed delivery of the goods or services or the satisfactory installation, assembly or specified portion thereof, or the receipt of the invoice for the delivery of the goods or services, whichever is later (MN Statute 471.425).
• Vendor must supply right to know information appropriate to this order for OSHA compliance and that any shipment of hazardous materials shall comply with all federal and state regulations and be accompanied by a current material safety data sheet (MSDS).
• The District is exempt from Minnesota State sales tax. Exemption certificate will be furnished upon request.
• By accepting this purchase order you comply that you are neither suspended nor debarred from doing business with the Federal Government.
• If the vendor is unable to fulfill the purchase order under the terms and conditions of this purchase order, the District reserves the right to cancel the order in part or whole and purchase the merchandise on the open market.
• All items and services provided by the vendor must comply in quality, type of materials and methods of manufacture with all applicable local, state and federal laws pertaining thereof.
• All products delivered will be in class "A" quality, with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. The District will not be responsible for any costs related to the delivery of unacceptable or defective items. Should the merchandise be delivered in an unacceptable condition, the District requires the Vendor to provide a return authorization and replacement for the merchandise, in a timely manner.
• The Vendor warrants that the merchandise will conform to the District's description and any applicable specifications shall be of good merchantable quality, free from any defects and fit for the known purpose for which it is sold. This warranty is in addition to any standard warranty or service guarantee given by the Vendor to the District or any warranty provided by law.
• All merchandise shall be delivered to the District warehouse (unless otherwise indicated on the Purchase Order), during business hours, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Local Time, Monday through Friday, excluding District holidays. Merchandise delivered in packages, cartons or crates are accepted only with the guarantee that upon the removal from such packaging, they are found in first class condition without any defect or they must be removed and replaced without additional charge to the District.
• The vendor agrees to indemnify the District and hold it harmless from and against all liability, loss and expense (including legal fees) for all damages and/or bodily injuries (including death) resulting from the actions, errors, omissions or negligence of the Seller, its directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors or subcontractors, including, but not limited to, any defect in material, any defect in services, workmanship, design of any goods furnished, patent and/or copyright infringements or violations, and/or failure to follow or abide by any and all governing laws, ordinances, codes and regulations.
• Non-appropriation, the District reasonably believes that budgeted funds will be obtained sufficient to make all payments. Continuation of any agreements beyond June 30th of any year is contingent upon appropriation of budgeted funds for payment of that contract.  In the event that adequate funds are not so appropriated, the District shall notify the vendor as soon as possible prior to the necessary cancellation and no penalty in any form shall be levied against the District because cancellation of any part or all of the equipment required by failure of appropriation.

July 27, 2021

The Anoka-Hennepin School District welcomes qualified Vendors for Graduation Gowns, Caps, Tassels, and Diplomas. 

Please submit one (1) quote by email to purchquotes@ahschools.us no later than 2:00 p.m. LT on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. The subject of the email should state “RFQ #26010Q GRADUATION GOWNS, CAPS, TASSELS, AND DIPLOMAS”

The following project dates have been established:

Quote issued Monday, June 30, 2025

Closing date for vendor questions is Thursday, July 10, 2025, by 4:00 p.m. LT

Responses to Vendor questions issued by Tuesday, July 15, by 4:00 p.m. LT

Bid opening is Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. LT

26010Q Quote document 

26010Q Addendum 1