A. Bids Required:
1. Any work or other public improvement which is not to be paid for in whole or in part by special assessment or special taxation, and all purchases of and contracts for supplies, materials, and services shall, except as specifically provided herein, be based whenever possible on competitive bids.
2. All work or other public improvement which is not to be paid for in whole or in part by special assessment or special taxation, and all purchases, orders or contracts for supplies, materials, equipment or contractual services except as otherwise provided herein, when the estimated cost thereof shall exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00), shall be purchased from the lowest responsible bidder, after due notice inviting bids, unless competitive bidding is waived by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Aldermen then holding office.
B. Notice Inviting Bids:
1. Notice inviting bids shall be published at least once in a newspaper with general circulation within Jersey County, Illinois. The City shall also advertise all pending work or purchases by posting a notice on the public bulletin board in the City Hall.
2. The newspaper notice required herein shall include a general description of the work to be performed or the articles to be purchased, shall state where specifications may be secured, and the time and place for opening bids.
C. Bid Deposits: When deemed necessary by the City Council, bid deposits shall be prescribed in the public notices inviting bids. Unsuccessful bidders shall be entitled to the return of their bid deposits upon the award of the contract by the City Council. A successful bidder shall forfeit any bid deposit required by the City Council upon failure on his part to enter into a contract within ten (10) days after the award.
D. Bid Opening Procedure:
1. Bids shall be submitted sealed to the City and shall be identified as bids on the envelope.
2. Bids shall be opened in public at the time and place stated in the public notice.
3. A tabulation of all bids received shall be made by the City Council or by a City employee, in which event, a tabulation of the bids shall be furnished to the City Council at its next regular meeting.
E. Rejection Of Bids: The City shall have the authority to reject all bids or parts of all bids when the public interest will be served thereby.
F. Bidders In Default To City: The City shall not accept the bid of a contractor who is in default on the payment of taxes, licenses or other monies due the City.
G. Award Of Contract:
1. Authority: The City Council shall have the authority to award contracts within the purview of this section.
2. Lowest Responsible Bidder: Contracts shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder on the basis of the bid that is in the best interest of the City to accept. In awarding the contract, in addition to price, the City Council shall consider:
a. The ability, capacity and skill of the bidder to perform the contract to provide the service required.
b. Whether the bidder can perform the contract or provide the service promptly, or within the time specified, without delay or interference.
c. The character, integrity, reputation, judgment, experience and efficiency of the bidder.
d. The quality of the performance of previous contracts or services.
e. The previous and existing compliance by the bidder with laws and ordinances relating to the contract or service.
f. The sufficiency of the financial resources and ability of the bidder to perform the contract or provide the service.
g. The quality, availability and adaptability of the supplies or contractual services to the particular use required.
h. The ability of the bidder to provide future maintenance and service for the use of the subject of the contract.
i. The number and scope of conditions attached to the bid.
j. Whether the bidder has furnished a certificate of insurance indicating workers' compensation and employers' liability coverage and the policy limits for such coverage.
3. Performance Bonds: The City Council shall have the authority to require a performance bond, before entering into a contract, in such amounts as it shall find reasonably necessary to protect the best interests of the City.
(2006 Code § 1-2-27)