(A) The purchase and contracting function includes the negotiation and execution of all contracts for supplies, services, and construction, and the administration of the county purchasing system. The County Judge/Executive is responsible for this function but may delegate to a purchasing officer or department any of the tasks involved:
(1) Prepare specifications, invitations to bid, solicitations for proposals, and awards of contracts;
(2) Conduct a reasonable inquiry and make a written determination of responsibility for bidders and offerors; and maintain a list of prequalified responsible contractors for particular types of supplies, services, and construction items;
(3) Prepare a written finding as to the need for use of the negotiated process rather than sealed bids where the negotiated process is appropriate, and compile an annual report of all contracts made through negotiation during the fiscal year;
(4) Notify suppliers, through advertisement or other permissible methods, of invitations to bid and solicitations for proposals;
(5) Open bids and determine the responsiveness of each bid, conduct appropriate negotiations with offerors, and select the supplier or contractor which is most advantageous to the county;
(6) Cancel any invitation to bid upon a written determination that such action is in the best interest of the county;
(7) Inspect the place of business and any operation and examine any financial information of any offeror engaged in the negotiated process with the county; and cause an audit to be made of any contractor under a negotiated contract; and
(8) Store all supplies as needed and maintain an inventory and accounting of all property of the county.
(B) Purchasing and contract procedures shall be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Kentucky Model Procurement Code as set forth in KRS 45A.345 to 45A.400, or as thereafter amended.
(Prior Code, § 22.100) (Ord. passed 6-13-1994; Ord. 2002-16, passed 7-31-2002)