(a) Department heads may purchase Commodities or Services directly and without the approval of purchasing, as provided in the Charter or Municipal Code, or in the following circumstances:
(1) Departments may directly enter into contracts when such purchase is recommended by a department head and is approved by the Purchaser. The Purchaser’s approval of direct department purchases may be for individual contracts or for classes of contracts anticipated to be required by the department.
(2) Departments may directly enter into contracts with Government Entities for the purpose of fulfilling their governmental functions, which may include the provision or exchange of Commodities or Services.
(3) Departments may directly enter into contracts for the investment of trust moneys and agreements relating to the management of trust assets.
(4) Departments may directly enter into contracts to purchase works of art or artifacts for museums or to display in public areas; and may directly enter into contracts for specialized art restoration, insuring, transport, storage, curation, and conservation services.
(5) The Risk Manager may directly purchase insurance and expert services.
(6) The General Manager of the Public Utilities Commission may directly purchase water, power, or natural gas, the conveyance or transmission of same, or ancillary services such as spinning reserve, voltage control, or load scheduling, as required for assuring reliable services in accordance with good utility practice, to or on behalf of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
(7) Departments may contract directly for the provision of services related to travel required for official City business, subject to compliance with rules and regulations established by the approving department and the Controller for reimbursement of such expenses.
(8) The Director of Health may contract directly for purchases under the authority of Chapter 21A of this Code.
(b) The Purchaser shall determine the scope of direct purchasing authority granted under subsection (a) in the event of ambiguity.
(c) Nothing in this Section 21.04 is intended to affect the authorities granted to departments elsewhere in this Code or in the Charter.