(a) The Manager shall have authority to enter into contracts of less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for the purchase of equipment, supplies, materials and nonprofessional services necessary or desirable for the operation of the Municipality, to the extent that there are available funds within the applicable category of the annual appropriation ordinance, as amended. Whenever practicable, the Manager may require two quotes for items purchased under this grouping of between fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).
(b) Contracts for the purchase of equipment, supplies, materials and nonprofessional services of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more shall require Council approval by ordinance or resolution. The Manager shall obtain two or more formal quotations for contracts of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more to reasonably assure that the Municipality is paying a fair price for its purchases. The Manager will make a contracting recommendation to the Council ordinarily culminating in the recommendation of a lowest and best responsible quote. The above procedure shall operate in lieu of any statutory procedures for the selection of these providers.
(c) Contracts for professional services of less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) shall be exempt from formal bidding requirements. Such contracts shall not require competitive bidding, however, the Manager, when practical, may require two or more informal quotations for contracts of less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) to reasonably assure that the Municipality is paying a fair price for its purchases. The Manager must approve such contracts and shall have the authority to establish such additional procedures for selection and award of contracts, as he or she may deem advisable. This paragraph shall supersede any applicable statutory bidding requirements.
(d) Contracts for professional services of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more shall be exempt from formal bidding requirements, but shall require Council approval by ordinance or resolution. In an effort to obtain the best value consistent with the Municipality’s needs, the selection of providers of professional services of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more shall be preceded by the solicitation of two (2) or more written proposals which facilitate an evaluation of the extent, quality and cost of the services to be provided. An analysis of the written proposals must be completed by the department director or Manager and will ordinarily culminate in the recommendation of a lowest and best responsible proposal. The Manager shall then make a contracting recommendation to the Council. The above procedure shall operate in lieu of any statutory procedures for the selection of professional service providers.
(e) Council’s review of proposed contracts shall include consideration of a recommendation by the Manager. The Municipality reserves the right to waive defects in bids or proposals where such waiver is in the Municipality’s interest, and to reject any and all bids or proposals. (Ord. 07-65. Passed 12-3-07.)