(a) The Executive, through the Purchasing Director, shall accept and compile qualification statements from any person or business entity seeking to obtain the award of any service contract which is exempt from competitive bidding pursuant to Section 177.07(a)(4), including, but not limited to, accountants, architects, appraisers, auditors, consultants, engineers, construction project managers and surveyors. The hiring of attorneys providing legal services, financial advisors in connection with the sale of notes and bonds, appraisers performing services for the Fiscal Officer under Section 5713.01 of the Ohio Revised Code, real estate agents or brokers in connection with the acquisition or sale of real property owned or to be acquired by the County, and physicians for the County is expressly excluded from the process set forth herein. Provided, however, that the award of any such contract must be approved by the Board of Control, and when in excess of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000.00), by Council. This list shall be updated at least annually.
(b) Qualification statements shall include the education, experience, skills, personnel, equipment and any relevant information which aids in evaluating the person or business entity.
(c) The Executive, through the Purchasing Director, may, at any time, solicit qualification statements from any person or business entity as may be necessary.
(d) Upon determination by the Executive that professional or unique services are necessary for a specific purpose, the Executive may request proposals to be submitted. Each request for a proposal shall set forth the nature and extent of the services to be provided, any terms and conditions required, and the duration. The Executive shall notify at least five of the persons or business entities who have submitted qualification statements pertaining to the services to be provided, unless less than five persons or business entities have submitted qualification statements pertaining to the services to be provided, in which case all persons or business entities who have submitted qualification statements pertaining to such services shall be contacted. Provided, however, that where the professional services to be provided are seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000.00) or less, the Executive may solicit three written quotes and make the award based upon those quotes, and, where the professional services to be provided are twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) or less, the Executive may make the award upon obtaining one quote.
(e) Any person or business entity may submit a proposal, which states the scope of services to be provided and terms or conditions. No person or business entity shall be excluded from submitting a proposal.
(f) The Executive shall review proposals received, negotiate compensation to be paid, and submit a recommendation to the Board of Control. The Executive may submit more than one recommendation. The Board may reject any or all proposals and may direct the Executive to submit additional proposals. The Executive may request additional proposals and may modify, in any respect, the request for proposals.
(g) The Board of Control may award a contract which shall be in writing certified pursuant to Ohio R.C. 5705.41 and any amendments thereto. Any professional contract awarded by the Board of Control for compensation in an amount exceeding seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000.00) shall be approved by County Council. No such contract shall be executed by the Executive until so approved.
In the event that any County elected officeholder proposes to have the County contract with a person or business entity for professional services and the aggregate of the proposed contract and any other contracts between the County and that person or business entity during that calendar year for services to that officeholder's department would exceed seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000.00), and where no additional competitive quotes or bids had been taken for the project, the proposed contract may be awarded only upon express authorization of County Council. Additional proposals may be submitted by the Executive for any contract when an award is not approved.
(h) The Executive may, in his or her discretion, request proposals for services pursuant to this Section using the online/electronic bid procurement process or system authorized under Section 177.06(f), provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 177.08 shall otherwise govern the request and submission of proposals.
(Ord. 2007-480. Adopted 9-24-07; Ord. 2011-480. Adopted 11-21-11; Ord. 2014-570. Adopted 12-8-14; Ord. 2015-436. Adopted 10-26-15; Ord. 2015-552. Adopted 12-14-15; Ord. 2023-350. Adopted 11-27-23.)