(a) Contracts: All contracts of the City shall be in writing and shall be executed on behalf of the City by the City Manager. The City Manager shall also execute all contracts, regardless of the amount, for the purchase, sale, leasing or use of real estate.
(b) Competitive Bids: Except as otherwise provided in this Charter or the purchasing ordinance defined in Article III, Section 302(e), no contract for supplies, material, labor, a franchise, or other valuable consideration, to be furnished to or by the City, shall be authorized on behalf of the City, except to the lowest responsible bidder after competitive bidding, where required in accordance with applicable law, or, in the case of goods or services being sold or disposed of by the City, to the highest or best bid submitted.
(c) Bidding and Related Purchase Procedures: The Council shall, by ordinance, establish and maintain a system of competitive bidding, proposal solicitation, and procedures for purchasing certain products and services without bidding. This shall include definitions, publication requirements, deposit and bond requirements, conditions, terms, rules and regulations, waiver and exceptions as Council shall from time to time deem advisable, and/or in accordance with applicable law. Bid thresholds are established by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry annually based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index published by the U.S. Department of Labor and Industry. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry publishes notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin prior to January 1 of each calendar year for the adjusted or unadjusted bid thresholds for competitive bidding and for written telephonic price quotations.
(Amended 11-2-21.)