(A) If the amount of the expenditure for a contractual service or a class of commodities normally obtained from the same source of supply, or for a sale of personal property found by the City Council not to be required for public use, is estimated to be less than $25,000, it shall be an open market transaction and shall not be subject to the requirements of § 34.27. However, all open market transactions shall, whenever possible, be based on at least three competitive bids.
(B) The purchasing agent shall solicit bids by direct mail requests to prospective bidders for the class of commodities being purchased or sold as listed on the bidders list, and by posting a copy of the invitation to bid on a public bulletin board in or adjacent to the City Hall. However, bids may be solicited by telephone for open market purchases or sales of less than $5,000.
(C) Written bids shall be submitted sealed to the purchasing agent in an envelope indicating the class of commodities being purchased or sold, and the established time for opening of the bids. All written bids shall be opened at the time and place stated in the invitation. The purchasing agent shall make a tabulation of all written and telephone bids, and the records shall be open to public inspection for at least 30 days after the date of the bid opening or telephone transaction.
(D) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if the purchase of supplies, materials, equipment or contractual services is less than $1,000, the City Administrator, at the Administrator's discretion only, may waive the competitive bidding requirements of this section and may make the purchases without calling for bids. The City Administrator shall not delegate to any other city officer or employee the discretion of determining whether a purchase involving an expenditure of less than $1,000 shall be based on competitive bids. However, price and quality being equal preference shall be given to responsible local bidders.
(1985 Code, § 9-27) (Ord. 18-032, passed 12-11-2018; Ord. 2021-015, passed 6-8-2021)