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Kaneland board approves bid solicitations, directs staff to explore alternative energy procurement
Summary
The Kaneland CUSD 302 Board of Education voted 6-0 to seek public bids for fuel, copy paper and security services and authorized staff to pursue an alternative energy-management procurement model for electricity and natural gas.
The Kaneland CUSD 302 Board of Education on an unanimous vote directed administration to seek public bids this spring for fuel, copy paper and security services and authorized staff to pursue an alternative energy-management model for district electric and natural gas contracts.
School business director Doctor Jackie Bogan told the board the district has three identified bid needs this spring: the annual fuel contract (current provider Feas Oil, contract ends June 2025), the annual copy-paper contract and a three-year security-services contract that expires at the end of the fiscal year. “Tonight we are seeking the board's approval to move copy paper, security services, and then also, approval to move forward with the alternative model, for natural gas and electric,” Bogan said.
Bogan described the alternative model as engaging an energy-management company — a third-party firm that monitors market conditions and handles procurement and compliance, and which is typically compensated by energy suppliers rather than the district. She said the district has contacted third-party vendors Nania Energy and Santore for initial information and noted Siemens as an additional potential vendor.
Board members asked whether cooperative purchasing had been considered for copy paper and other custodial supplies. Bogan said the district had used cooperative purchasing during the COVID-19 supply disruptions but obtained better pricing through a direct bid last year; she said administration would look into cooperative options again. On utilities, Bogan said any selected firm would be asked to present to the board before a final engagement.
The motion directing administration to procure the listed items by seeking public bids and to pursue the alternative energy procurement model passed in a roll call of 6-0.
Following the vote, Bogan outlined other routine non-bid contracts the district manages (custodial supplies, auditor services, copier services, cafeteria food, special education, transportation, athletic trainers) and noted capital-project bidding for summer work would also proceed through the spring.
