Except with regard to public projects of more than sixty thousand dollars ($60,000.00), the bidding requirements of this chapter shall not apply in the following circumstances:
A. When the purchase order or contract is for utility or communications services; insurance; freight and courier services; postage; education and training expenses; subscriptions and memberships in professional organizations; attendance at meetings or conventions; and hotel and travel accommodations.
B. Where items to be purchased are for resale to the public.
C. When the needed equipment, supplies or services are proprietary items of original equipment manufacturers and/or their authorized exclusive distributors.
D. When the equipment is a component for equipment or a system of equipment previously acquired by the City, and is necessary to repair, maintain or improve the City's utilization of the equipment.
E. Where items to be purchased are circulating library materials, including books, periodicals, films, and recordings; computer software, hardware maintenance services or software maintenance services; food, condiments and similar items; or art.
F. Any contract involving the purchase of supplies, equipment or services entered into with another governmental entity.
G. Any contract for professional services such as attorneys, physicians, architects, engineers, consultants, accountants, specialized printers or other individuals or organizations possessing a high degree of professional, unique, specialized or technical skill or expertise.
H. When the requesting department determines in writing, after conducting a good faith review of the available sources, that there is only one source for the required equipment, supplies or services or that a sole source procurement is necessary to ensure compatibility with existing City equipment. The department requesting sole source procurement shall provide written evidence to support a sole source determination. Such evidence shall be approved by the Purchasing Agent. The city manager may require that negotiations be conducted as to price, delivery and terms. The city manager may also require the submission of cost or pricing data in connection with an award under this section.
Nothing in this section prohibits the Purchasing Agent or appropriate Contracting Officer from requiring more stringent bidding requirements for a purchase that falls under one of the exceptions listed above. (Ord. 18-O-2763, eff. 1-1-2019; amd. Ord. 21-O-2835, eff. 4-16-2021)