§ 2-554.1. Open market procedure for purchases of one hundred thousand dollars, or less.

(a)

All purchases of goods and services other than professional services, and non-transportation related construction, when the estimated value is not expected to exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), may be made in the open market, without newspaper advertisement and without observing the procedures prescribed by divisions 2 and 3 of this article, unless the purchasing agent determines that the public interest demands such procedure. Purchases of non-transportation related construction shall not waive compliance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code. Purchases under this subsection that are expected to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) shall require, whenever possible, the informal solicitation of a minimum of four (4) bidders or offerors and shall be awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder in accordance with the standards set forth in section 2-563.

(b)

Small purchases in an amount up to, but not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) may be purchased directly by a department in accordance with rules and regulations established by the purchasing agent; these purchases need not follow the competitive bidding process. Maximum limits may be established for each department by the purchasing agent up to, but not exceeding, five thousand dollars ($5,000.00).

(c)

In making a purchase under this section, when bidding is required, the purchasing agent shall solicit bids by mail, electronic means, telephone, or in person from prospective vendors.

(Ord. No. 3910-89; Ord. No. 4793-95; Ord. No. 4967-96, § 1; Ord. No. 5476-00, § 1; Ord. No. 5999-04; Ord. No. 6396-07, § 1; Ord. No. 6433-07; Ord. No. 6806-11, § 1; Ord. No. 7036-14, § 1; Ord. No. 7079-14; Ord. No. 7194-15, § 1)

(Ord. No. 3910-89; Ord. No. 4793-95; Ord. No. 4967-96, § 1; Ord. No. 5476-00, § 1; Ord. No. 5999-04; Ord. No. 6396-07, § 1; Ord. No. 6433-07; Ord. No. 6806-11, § 1; Ord. No. 7036-14, § 1; Ord. No. 7079-14; Ord. No. 7194-15, § 1)