(A) Opening of offers.
(1) Bids received in response to an invitation for bids must be opened publicly in the presence of at least one or more witnesses at the time and place designated in the invitation for bids.
(2) Proposals received in response to request for proposals must be opened to avoid disclosure of the contents to competing offerors during the process of negotiation.
(3) Proposals received in response to a request for specifications may be opened as specified in the request for specifications.
(B) Electronic receipt of offers.
(1) The purchasing agent may receive electronic offers in response to an invitation to bid, request for proposals, or a request for specification.
(2) An electronic offer may only be received if:
(a) The solicitation includes a procedure for the electronic submission of the offer; and/or
(b) The purchasing agency receives the offer on a fax machine or other system with a security feature that protects the contents of an electronic offer with the same degree of protection as provided to an offer not transmitted electronically.
(Prior Code, § 2.18.2) (Ord. 1998-6, passed 7-21-1998)