The awarding authority shall award contracts required to be formally bid to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. As used in this chapter “awarding authority” means the city officer or employee with the authority to award and sign the particular contract, as provided in part three of this chapter, or the Council.
(a) Low Bid. The low bid shall be the bid offering the lowest total cost to the city.
(1) The determination of lowest total cost shall be made after applying relevant policies adopted by resolution of the Council that may provide for a price preference.
(2) Where ‘add alternate’ or ‘deduct alternate’ items are included in the specifications, the determination of lowest total cost shall be made in accordance with the procedure for considering the ‘add alternate’ and ‘deduct alternate’ items as set forth in the bid specifications.
(3) The determination of lowest total cost may include the effect of factors such as trade discounts, delivery costs and life cycle costs, when these are included in the specifications.
(b) Responsive Bid. A responsive bid is a bid determined by the awarding authority to conform in all material respects to the requirements of the bid documents.
(c) Responsible Bidder. A responsible bidder is a bidder determined by the awarding authority:
(1) To have demonstrated the attribute of trustworthiness, and to have the quality, fitness, capacity, experience, and skill to satisfactorily perform the work, or provide the goods and/or services called for in the invitation for bids;
(2) To have the ability to perform the contract within the time specified;
(3) To have the equipment, facilities and resources of such capacity and location to enable the bidder to perform the contract;
(4) To have the ability to provide, as required, future maintenance, repair, parts and service for the use of goods purchased;
(5) To have a record of satisfactory or better performance under prior contracts with the city or others; and
(6) To have complied with applicable laws, regulations, policies (including city policies), guidelines and orders governing prior or existing contracts performed by the bidder.
(Ord. 5494 § 26, 2020: Ord. 5387 § 1 (part), 2016: Ord. 4827 § 1 (part), 2004)