(A) As an alternative to the procedures described in this section, the Purchasing Director may purchase any supplies, materials, equipment, or contractual services through the State Purchasing Office of the Division of General Services, GSA, or the Houston Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) cooperative purchasing program; provided, however, that any such purchases estimated to cost in excess of $5,000 up to $25,000 in the current budget year, or not exceeding $50,000 if budgeted in the current budget year, shall be approved by the County Administrator or his or her designee, and any such purchase estimated to cost in the aggregate in excess of $25,000 (unbudgeted) or $50,000 (budgeted) in the current budget year shall be approved by County Council. Provided, however, items for which a specific appropriation has been made are deemed to be approved by County Council, and the County Administrator is authorized to purchase same from State Purchasing GSA, or H-GAC. Multiple vehicle purchases are to be considered in the aggregate amount of all the vehicles so purchased by a using agency.
(B) The Sheriff may be authorized under programs administered by the Federal Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and other programs to purchase certain items from programs approved or administered by the Federal Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and/or the GSA, or perhaps through other federal agencies, at preferential federal government contract prices, and in the event the Sheriff is authorized to make the purchases, but shall first obtain a purchase order, purchase order number, or direct payment number, as is necessary, from the Purchasing Director and the check for the purchase will be issued through the office of the county's Finance Director, so that the county will have current and accurate records of the expenditures.
(C) Likewise, the Emergency Preparedness Director or other county agencies may be eligible to purchase items from programs administered by the GSA or other federal agency, H-GAC, and in the event, if the price is advantageous to the county, the purchase may be made, subject to approval by the County Administrator or his or her designee, provided, however, that the purchasing county agency shall first obtain a purchase order, purchase order number, or direct payment number, as is necessary, from the Purchasing Director and the check for the purchase will be issued through the office of the county’s Finance Director, so that the county will have current and accurate Purchasing Director records of the expenditures.
(Ord. 01-02-04, passed 1-7-2004; Am. Ord. 10-42-06, passed 11-15-2006; Am. Ord. 5-14-2022, passed 7-6-2022)