Contracts shall be awarded by the purchasing officer to the lowest responsible bidder except as follows:
A. If two or more bids received are 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 re-advertising for bids, then the purchasing officer may accept the lowest bid made by negotiation with the tie bidders following the bid opening; 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 §2.109 (Ord. 669, Ord. 1332 §8, Ord. 1494 §2, Ord. 2506)