Procedure for sealed bids shall be as follows.
(A) Sealing. Bids shall be submitted to the purchasing agent securely sealed in an envelope and shall be identified on the envelope in accordance with the bid instructions.
(B) Opening. Bids shall be opened in public at the time and place stated in the public notices.
(C) Tabulation. A tabulation of all bids received shall be available for public inspection.
(D) Rejection of bids. The purchasing agent shall have the authority to reject all bids, parts of bids or all bids for any one or more supplies or contractual services included in the proposed contract, when the public interest will be served thereby.
(E) Bidder default. The purchasing agent shall not accept the bid of a contractor or vendor who is delinquent in the payment of taxes, license fees or other monies due the town.
(F) Awarding contract.
(1) Authority of agent. The purchasing agent shall have the authority to award contracts within the purview of this article; provided, however, that, contracts in excess of $10,000 shall not be awarded without prior approval of the Town Council.
(2) Lowest responsible bidder. Contracts shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. In determining the lowest responsible bidder, in addition to price, the purchasing agent shall consider:
(a) The ability, capacity and skill of the bidder to perform the contract and 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 performance of previous contracts or services;
(e) The previous and existing compliance by the bidder with the 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; and
(i) The number and scope of conditions attached to the bid.
(G) Award to other than low bidder. When the award is not given to the lowest bidder, a statement of the reasons for placing the order elsewhere shall be prepared by the purchasing agent.
(H) Tie bids; local vendor preference. If all bids received are the same total amount or unit price, quality and service are equal, the contract shall be awarded to the local bidder. If two or more of such bids are submitted by local bidders, the purchasing agent shall award the contract to one of the local bidders by drawing lots in public. If local bidders are not involved in tie bids, the purchasing agent shall award the contract to one of the outside tie bidders by drawing lots in public. The purchasing agent, local bidders and vendors should bear in mind, however, that to award a contract to a local vendor where he is not the lowest responsible bidder, or where the price, quality and service are not equal, is to give preference to one minute segment of the citizenry against the best interest of the community as a whole.
(I) Performance bonds. The purchasing agent shall have the authority to require a performance bond, before entering into a contract, in such form and amount as he or she shall find reasonably necessary to protect the best interest of the town.
(J) Payment and labor and material bonds. The purchasing agent may require a payment bond and a labor and material bond, before entering into a contract, in such form and amount as he or she shall find reasonably necessary to protect the public interest of the town.