(A) Contracts. Any contract for public improvements shall be furnished by contract to the lowest responsible bidder with such bids to be received or obtained in the following manner except as provided herein:
(1) Where the contract does not exceed $20,000, the City Administrator is hereby authorized to enter into the contract, and to authorize Department Heads to enter into a contract of $5,000 or less, without preliminary authorization by the Council, provided the contract expenditure shall be subject to the confirmation or approval of the Council and to the limitations imposed by the adoption of a budget or special appropriation.
(2) Where the public improvement does not exceed $20,000 but is more than $5,000, three written proposals, in writing, shall be obtained by an authorized agent of the city, and said proposals or bids shall be submitted to the City Council for consideration.
(B) Responsible bidder. Responsible bidder for a public works contract means a bidder who meets all of the job specifications, the following applicable criteria, and submits evidence of such compliance:
(1) All applicable laws prerequisite to doing business in the state.
(2) Evidence of compliance with:
(a) Federal Employer Tax Identification Number or Social Security Number (for individuals).
(b) Provision of Section 2000(e) of Chapter 21, Title 42 of the United States Code and Federal Executive Order No. 11246 as amended by Executive Order No. 11375 (known as the Equal Opportunity Employer provisions).
(3) Certificates of insurance indicating the following coverages: general liability, workers’ compensation, completed operations, automobile, hazardous occupation, product liability, and professional liability.
(4) Compliance with all provisions of the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, including wages, medical and hospitalization insurance and retirement for those trades covered in the act.
(5) The bidder and all bidder’s sub-contractors must participate in active apprenticeship and training programs approved and registered with the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training if applicable.
(6) Non-compliance with this section will result in a 20% penalty and a 2% punitive damage of the total contract bid, and/or two year disbarment from bidding with the city. This includes either/or general and subcontractors.
(7) All contractors and sub-contractors are required to turn in certified payroll on a weekly basis.
(C) Waiver. A contract may be entered into by the proper officers without advertising for bids if authorized by a vote of 2/3 of all the Alderpersons then holding office.
(D) Advertisement for bids. All proposals to award Public Works project contracts involving amounts in excess of $20,000 shall be published at least ten days, in advance of the date announced for the receiving of bids, in a daily newspaper of general circulation throughout the city.
(E) Joint purchasing. The City Administrator is authorized to let joint purchasing contracts where the funds for such contracts have been previously budgeted by the City Council and where the contract is bid pursuant to the “Government Joint Purchasing Act,” ILCS Ch. 30, Act 525, §§ 0.01 et seq. No other bidding requirements of the city need be followed.
(Ord. 97-006, passed - -97; Am. Ord. 05-516, passed 7-27-05; Am. Ord. 06-686, passed 10-11-06; Am. Ord. 07-698, passed 2-14-07; Am. Ord. 07-732, passed 9-26-07; Am. Ord. 07-738, passed 11-14-07)