A. In accordance with the authority delegated by the City Council, the City Manager is responsible for preparation of requests for bids, opening of bids, and recommendations regarding awards in connection with the purchase of supplies, materials and nonprofessional contractual services with an estimated total cost in excess of $30,000.
B. City of Somerton follows Arizona State Procurement Code as its authority for public bidding procedures. All purchases of supplies, materials, equipment and contractual services, except professional services which are procured through the formal RFP process described in Subarticle IV, made by the city having an estimated cost in excess of $30,000 shall be based on sealed, competitive bids. The city purchasing agent shall give notice of awards, upon City Council approval. The invitation for bids and specifications must be issued in sufficient time before the purchase is made and in sufficient detail to permit free competition.
C. Notice of the invitation for bids shall be published in a newspaper in accordance with the provisions of A.R.S. Chapter 2, Title 39, § 39-204 unless Council, by at least two-thirds vote of its membership, determines that an emergency exists requiring immediate action to protect the public health or safety. Copies of the invitation and specifications shall be supplied to, and bids shall be solicited from qualified sources consistent with the item to be purchased as determined by the city purchasing agent, including all qualified suppliers who, before the issuance of the invitation notify the purchasing department in writing that they desire to bid on materials, supplies, equipment or contractual services.
D. Bids shall be publicly opened at the time and place stated in the invitation. On City Council approval, the city purchasing agent shall make awards with reasonable promptness by giving written notice to the responsible bidder whose bid is responsive, i.e., conforms to the invitation, and whose bid is the most advantageous to the city concerning price, conformity to the specifications and other factors. The City Council may reject all bids if rejection is in the public interest.
E. All supplies, materials, equipment and contractual services with an estimated total cost in excess of $30,000 will be bid publicly. Emergency and sole source procurements in excess of $30,000 are explained in Subarticles VII and VIII respectively.
F. In accordance with A.R.S. Title 34, bids will be solicited for the construction of public buildings and improvements.
(Res. 2008-011, passed 2-19-2008)