The making of all purchases and contracting for supplies, materials
and equipment for any county department or agency to be paid for out
of county funds.
The establishment after consultation with appropriate officials,
of suitable specifications and standards for all supplies, materials
and equipment to be purchased and the inspection of deliveries to
determine compliance with such specifications and standards.
The establishment and maintenance of a system of requisitions and
receipts covering the furnishing of supplies, materials and equipment
to departments and agencies of the county.
The establishment, maintenance and modification of rules, regulations
and standards for the pre-qualification of bidders in contracting
for public work on the purchase of supplies, materials and services
if the County Executive deems such pre-qualification necessary, subject
to the approval of the County Council.
School system. The provisions of subsection (a)[1] above shall apply to the county school system except in
the purchase and sale of technical equipment and supplies peculiar
to the needs of the County Board of Education only.
General. Any single purchase or contract involving an expenditure
of more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) or such amount as may
be set by legislative act of the county enacted by affirmative vote
of five (5) members of the County Council, shall be made from or let
by sealed bids or proposals, after public notice for such period and
in such manner as the County Executive shall determine. Contracts
for the purchase shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder
who has complied with the specifications and standards as set forth
in the request for bids, and the successful bidder shall give security
or bond for the performance of his contract, if so required by the
County Executive. No contract nor purchase hereunder shall be broken
down into parts so as to circumvent or evade the dollar limitation
hereinbefore set forth.
Exceptions. Upon request by the County Executive, stating fully the
reasons why any single purchase or contract requiring sealed bids
or proposals after due notice is impractical, considering the costs
of operation, maintenance, downtime and service, if any, submitted
to the County Council, then upon the vote of five (5) members, said
council may direct the County Executive to make said purchase or contract
without compliance with the terms and conditions of this section.
Nothing in this section shall be applicable to the engaging of an
independent auditor or the awarding of contracts for professional
services.
No delivery of supplies, materials or equipment shall be made
to any department or agency at a cost in excess of the available appropriation
therefor.