Competitive bids and the bid-opening process are the cornerstones of public school purchasing. The bid-opening process does not begin on the day of the bid opening. It begins with good planning by the purchasing agent to ensure that the advertised bid complies with the public school contracts law. In New Jersey, that raises the following questions: (1) Did the purchasing agent properly advertise the bid?; (2) Was the bid advertised for a Monday or the day after a public holiday?; and (3) Were the bid specifications drafted to ensure "free, open, and competitive bidding"? Although state laws may vary, the author uses these points as a foundation for this discussion of best practices for the bid-opening process.