Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, purchases and contracts for supplies and equipment of estimated value within the formal purchasing limits shall be by written contract with the lowest responsible bidder pursuant to the procedure prescribed herein.
(1) Notice Inviting Bids. Notices inviting bids shall include a general description of the articles to be purchased, shall state where bid blanks and specifications may be secured, and the time and place for opening bids. Notice inviting bids shall be published at least ten days before the date of opening of the bids. Notice shall be published at least once in a trade paper, magazine or a newspaper of general circulation.
(2) Bidder's Security. When deemed necessary by the purchasing officer, bidder's security may be prescribed in the public notices inviting bids. Bidders shall be entitled to return of bid security; except that a successful bidder shall forfeit his bid security upon refusal or failure to execute the contract within ten days after the notice of award of contract has been mailed, unless the city is responsible for the delay. The city council may, on refusal or failure of the successful bidder to execute the contract, award it to the next lowest responsible bidder.
(3) Bid Opening Procedure. Sealed bids shall be submitted to the purchasing officer and shall be identified as bids on the envelope. Bids shall be opened in public at the time and place stated in the public notices. A tabulation of all bids received shall be open for public inspection during regular business hours for a period of not less than thirty calendar days after the bid opening.
(4) Rejection of Bids. In its discretion, the city council may reject any and all bids presented and readvertise for bids.
(5) Award of Contracts. Contracts shall be awarded by the city council to the lowest responsible bidder, except as otherwise provided herein.
(6) Tie Bids. If two or more bids received are for the same total amount or unit price, quality and service being equal, and if the public interest will not permit the delay of readvertising for bids, the city council may accept the one it chooses or accept the lowest bid made by negotiation with the tie bidders at the time of the bid opening.
(7) Performance Bonds. The city council or purchasing officer shall have the authority to require a performance bond before entering a contract in such amount as it finds reasonably necessary to protect the best interests of the city. If the city council or purchasing officer requires a performance bond, the form and amount of the bond shall be described in the notice inviting bids.
(Ord. 407 § 2 (part), 1987).