Purchases of $25,000 or less are made on the open market. Whenever possible, these purchases are based on informal quotations, as follows:

1. Purchases up to $1,000: A single "Best Quote" is obtained with most purchases delegated to responsible employees that employ the City “P” Card authority.

2. Purchases over $1,000 and up to $10,000: Quotes are obtained from at least three (3) suppliers. Quotations may be solicited by mail, telephone, fax or personal visits by salespersons.

3. Purchases for more than $10,000 require a formal Solicitation on the part of the City. Such purchases of supplies, goods, equipment and contractual services (except as otherwise provided in the City Code) are purchased on the basis of formal, competitive, sealed bids which are issued in accordance with the terms of the Solicitation or Invitation. Solicitations may take the form of RFP’s, RFB’s, RFI’s or a less formal RFQ or any other industry accepted form of Solicitation.

A minimum of three vendors must comprise any Solicitation above the $1,000 threshold.

The City Manager or his designee may, in case of emergency, waive competitive bidding requirements and direct the Support Services Manager to purchase directly those goods or services whose immediate procurement is essential to the life, health, welfare, safety or convenience of the City.