3.40.080 Open market purchases – Procedure.
Purchases of supplies, equipment, and contractual services may be made by the purchasing officer in the open market without observing the procedure prescribed by SMC 3.40.070 where the estimated value, exclusive of sales tax and freight, does not exceed $10,000. Purchases estimated to exceed the above values shall be made in accordance with the procedure prescribed by SMC 3.40.070. However, contracts and purchases covered by the Public Contract Code shall be let to bid in accordance with the provisions of that code.
A. Minimum Number of Bids. Open market purchases shall, wherever possible, be based on at least three bids, and shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.
B. Notice Inviting Bids. The purchasing officer shall solicit bids by written requests to prospective vendors, by telephone, and by public notice posted on a public bulletin board in City Hall.
C. Written Bids. Sealed written bids shall be submitted to the purchasing officer who shall keep a record of all open market orders and bids as public records after the submission of bids or the placing of orders.