Purchase orders shall be awarded by the purchasing officer to the person submitting the lowest responsible quotations, except as follows:
A. If two or more quotations are received for the same total amount or unit price, quality and service being equal, and, further, if in the sole discretion of the purchasing officer, the public interest will not permit the delay of inviting new quotations, then the purchasing officer may choose one or accept the lowest quotation made by negotiation with the persons submitting the tie quotations; and
B. Sellers, vendors, suppliers, and contractors of supplies and equipment who maintain places of business located within the limits of the city shall be given preference if quality, price, and service are equal in accordance with Chico Municipal Code Section 3.16.070.
(Prior code §2.103 (Ord. 669, Ord. 1332 §6), Ord. 2268, Ord. 2506)