(a) The chief procurement officer may purchase or lease goods, equipment, work and services, or auction or otherwise dispose of city surplus goods and equipment, and salvage and scrap, using innovative methods of procurement, including but not limited to electronic procurement, reverse auctions, electronic bidding, electronic auctions, procurement cards, and pilot procurement programs that have no cost to the city. In order to implement innovative methods of procurement, either directly or through a service provider, the chief procurement officer must make a determination that such process is competitive and in the best interest of the city.
(b) As an alternative or in addition to directly conducting procurement using innovative methods, the chief procurement officer may enter into a service contract with a service provider in order for the service provider to conduct reverse auctions, electronic auctions, or provide an on-line or electronic forum for competitive bids, requests for qualifications and proposals and other types of innovative methods of procurement on the city's behalf. The service contract may contain such terms as the chief procurement officer deems necessary, including, but not limited to, terms that specify the source and amount of the service provider's compensation. The chief procurement officer, either directly or through a service provider, is authorized to charge the winning bidder a reasonable service fee in order to cover part or all of the city's costs associated with the service contract, including the costs of engaging a service provider.
(c) The chief procurement officer shall have power to adopt rules and regulations for the proper administration and enforcement of the provisions of this section.
(d) This section is enacted pursuant to the home rule powers of the city and, to the extent permitted under the home rule powers of the city, supersedes any inconsistent provision of any law or regulation of the State of Illinois.
(Added Coun. J. 9-4-02, p. 92670, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 12-8-04, p. 38063, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-30-10, p. 95066, § 1)