(A) The City Manager shall act as Purchasing Agent for the municipality, make all purchases required by the various departments, and sell unused, worn-out, surplus, or obsolete equipment or materials.
(B) The Purchasing Agent may implement purchasing policies for items that do not meet the bidding threshold to enhance the efficiency of the procurement process, for purposes of transparency, and maximize the purchasing value of public funds.
(C) Whenever the head of a department deems it necessary or desirable that supplies, materials, equipment, or contractual services be purchased or secured, the department head shall prepare and submit to the Purchasing Agent a requisition therefor, specifying the nature of the purchase desired, the quantity required, estimated unit cost, and the performance requirements to be met. Upon receipt of any requisition, the Purchasing Agent shall inquire of potential suppliers as to the cost of the purchase, in the form of informal offers to supply the items required. If the probable cost thereof will exceed $50,000, he or she shall resort to formal bidding, as hereinafter provided. Formal bidding for items that exceed $50,000 shall not be required when:
(1) In unforeseen emergencies, delay would result in the interruption of or detriment to the delivery of public services as determined by the City Manager;
(2) The purchase consists of supplies or a replacement or supplemental part or parts for a product or equipment owned or leased by the city and the only source of supply is limited to a single supplier;
(3) The purchase is from the federal or state government or agency thereof, or from any political subdivision; or
(4) In the sound judgment of the City Manager, advertisement for bids for any specific purchase would not be of any material benefit to the city.
(5) The purchase consists of professional services for which no feasible specifications for bids can be drawn, subject to approval by the City Council.
(D) The City Manager is authorized to make purchases and enter into contracts without Council approval for each such purchase or contract, provided such purchases or contracts do not exceed $50,000 and are necessary, in the opinion of the City Manager, in the day-to-day operation and efficient administration of the government of the city.
(1974 Code, § 34.08) (Ord. 26-69, passed 7-21-1969; Ord. 25-78, passed 3-20-1978; Am. Ord. 8-80, passed 2-18-1980; Am. Ord. 41-87, passed 12-7-1987; Am. Ord. 26-00, passed 10-2-2000; Am. Ord. 23-15, passed 4-20-2015)