(1) General. Any contract not exceeding $35,000 may be made in accordance with the small purchase procedures authorized in this Section. Procurement requirements shall not be artificially divided so as to constitute a small purchase under this Section.
(2) Small purchases under $2,000. Any purchase not exceeding $2,000 may be accomplished without securing competitive quotations if the prices are considered to be fair and reasonable. Competitive quotations need only be taken when the procurement officer suspects the price may not be fair and reasonable, e.g., comparison to previous price paid, personal knowledge of the price range of the item involved. The maximum amount for purchases that may be achieved by using the Procurement Card is $2,000. Every effort should be made to distribute such purchases equitably among qualified suppliers.
(3) Small purchases over $2,000 but not exceeding $7,500. Insofar as it is practical, solicitations of verbal or written quotes from a minimum of 2 qualified sources of supply shall be made and documentation of the quotes recorded on or attached to the purchase requisition. The award shall be made to the lowest responsive/responsible source.
(4) Small purchases over $7,500 but not exceeding $35,000. Insofar as it is practical, solicitations of verbal or written quotes from a minimum of 3 qualified sources of supply shall be made and documentation of the quotes recorded on or attached to the purchase requisition. The award shall be made to the lowest responsive/responsible source.
(5) Purchasing reserves the authority to review any request made by a Using Department or Agency pursuant to this section.
(6) Protest Rights. The provisions of § 7-701 shall not apply to contracts awarded under the procedures set forth in this Section.
(7) By separate directives, the County Administrator can delegate signature authority for budgeted standard agreements not exceeding $35,000 per contract or year, whichever is lesser.
(Ord. 3704, passed 6-17-2003; Ord. 5051, passed 1-22-2019)