Business Services

The Grand Rapids Public Schools Business Services Department supports the business operations of the district including purchasing, accounts payable and receivable, financial accounting and reporting, payroll, and retirement.

Purchasing

Purchasing provides services and materials for district staff and outside customers by securing quality products and services in accordance with Board Policies in an efficient and timely manner.

Thank you for your interest in doing business with Grand Rapids Public Schools! Follow the steps below to connect your business with GRPS and our Bid opportunities.

Step 1: Understand the Competitive Bid Process

GRPS Polices & Rules

Grand Rapids Public Schools is proud to work with reliable vendors who support our schools and operations.Board Policy 3610 andBoard Policy 3660 listed under our Fiscal Management Section 3000 should be used as a guide for doing business with the district.

Board Policy 3690-R highlights our local first purchasing preference. Review this policy for information on local first qualifications.

Competitive Bid Amount

According to the revised Michigan School Code, the State of Michigan annually designates a base amount above which school districts must obtain competitive bids. The Competitive Bid base amount is $30,512.00 (FY2025) effective October 10, 2024.

Tips to be successful in the Public Sector

Thoroughly read, and follow, instructions to bidders
Submit a complete bid or proposal response
Be competitive
Be on time (late bids are NOT accepted)

Step 2: Create a Vendor Profile

Vendors interested in doing business with GRPS are encouraged to create a vendor profile on MITN Purchasing Group, Sigma Vendor Self Services, or Bonfire, our centralized bid portals that provides broader access to new opportunities throughout our region.

Step 3: View Open GRPS Request for Proposals (RFP)

MITN Purchasing Group View Open RFPs

Sigma Vendor Self Service View Open RFPs

Bonfire View Open RFPs

Request for Proposals

Alger Elementary and Ottawa Hills High School

Scope of Work: Grand Rapids Public Schools seeks professional Construction Management (CM) to manage the renovation of Alger Middle School to transition the facility from middle school to elementary school and to renovate Ottawa Hills High School to accommodate the Alger Middle School scholars.

Deadline: All proposals are due on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at the GRPS Facilities Building, 900 Union Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

View the Alger Middle School, Ottawa Hills High School, Ottawa Hills High School Performing Arts Request for Proposal here

School Building Layouts

Required RFP Documentation

Contractor Cost Workbooks

Asbestos Remediation at Riverside Middle School

Scope of Work: The project consists of the removal of all asbestos-containing materials that will be impacted by the scheduled renovations, as outlined in the project drawings. Mudded pipe fittings on fiberglass plumbing and heating piping and mag & air cell straight pipe insulation has been identified inside the school. HVAC, electrical, and plumbing upgrades will require wall and ceiling demolition to access the impacted building materials.

Deadline: All proposals are due on Monday, March 31, 2025 via email to Mr. Chris Decker at microairconsulting@gmail.com and Mr. Marc Bennett at BennettM@grps.org.

View the full RFP for Asbestos Remediation at Riverside Middle School here

GRPS Custodial Services

Scope of Work: GRPS is seeking custodial and general maintenance services beginning in June 2025.

Scheduled Walk-Through: Thursday – March 27, 2025, 2:00 p.m. EST

LOCATION: GRPS SERVICE BUILDING, 900 UNION AVE NE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Specific Building Locations: Burton Elementary, Burton Middle, City High Middle and Ottawa Hills)

Deadline: Monday, April 7, 2:00 PM EDT

One signed original and 3 copies of the proposal must be submitted to the address specified at the beginning of this RFP. Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope labeled “Custodial RFP” by 2:00 p.m. EDT Monday, April 7, 2025

Diane Liggins, Director of Purchasing
Grand Rapids Public Schools
1331 Martin Luther King, Jr. Street SE
PO Box 117
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, BIDS WILL BE PUBLICLY OPENED AND READ ALOUD AT THE Service Building 900 Union Avenue NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered in connection with this bid (NO EXCEPTIONS).

View the GRPS Custodial RFP 2025-2026 School Year