(a) All purchases of and contracts for supplies and contractual services shall, except as specifically provided herein, be based whenever possible on competitive bids.
(b) Competitive bidding is not required when the purchase consists of any form of an insurance policy or contract, including but not limited to any health care plan, or any combination of such policies, contracts or plans that the City is authorized to purchase, and the City does all of the following:
(1) Determines that compliance with the requirements of this section would increase, rather than decrease, the cost of purchase;
(2) Employs a competent consultant to assist the City in procuring appropriate coverages at the best and lowest prices;
(3) Requests issuers of the policies, contracts, or plans to submit proposals to the City in a form prescribed by the City, setting forth the coverage and costs of the policies, contracts, or plans, as the City desires to purchase; and
(4) Negotiates with the issuers for the purpose of purchasing the policies, contracts, or plans at the best and lowest price reasonably possible.
(Ord. 233-96. Passed 7-15-96; Ord. 270-06. Passed 9-5-06.)