This chapter shall be referred to as the "Buy Camden Ordinance."
The governing body of the City of Camden hereby directs all
relevant City departments to take all actions necessary to ensure
that the City of Camden is fully compliant with the provisions contained
in this chapter and shall henceforth execute the provisions in this
chapter.
The City of Camden shall direct all City departments seeking to enter into contracts of $25,000 or more to consider in the first instance a local business (including those businesses which meet the requirements of §
120-3 above and are registered with the City of Camden as a local business) when considering vendors' submissions of bids or request for proposals for goods or services.
All Camden City department staff must seek to include at least
one local business in the pool of competitors for each purchasing
contract at or below $25,000.
All Camden City departments should include consideration of
a local business as a first option when awarding contracts for materials
and supplies.
All Camden City department staff should include a businesses'
location in one of the above zip codes as a priority factor when awarding
contracts.
The City of Camden shall encourage all City staff utilizing
a City credit or debit card for purchases at or below the established
purchasing threshold to utilize local businesses whenever possible.
At least 30% of the City of Camden's total average spending
on contracts for goods and services shall be allocated to local businesses,
as permitted by law.
This chapter shall not apply to:
A. Emergency contracts under N.J.S.A. 40A:11-6;
C. Public contracts with provisions conflicting with this chapter but
required under state or federal law;
D. Goods or services contracts which are funded in whole or in part
by a governmental entity and the laws, regulations, and policies governing
such funding prohibit application of this preference.
This chapter shall apply to all bids or request for proposals
issued after the effective date of this chapter.
For a community benefit agreement (CBA) entered into by the
City after the effective date of this chapter, the City of Camden
shall strongly encourage, but not require the other party to the CBA
to comply with this chapter in contracting for goods or services.
Nothing in this chapter is intended, nor should it be construed,
in the interpretation of this chapter or its application, as authorizing
violations of the Local Public Contracts Law, state or federal procurement
laws, other bidding or professional services solicitation statutes,
other City ordinances or procurement policies, any memoranda of understanding
between the City of Camden and the State of New Jersey, the Department
of Community Affairs, or the Division of Local Government Services,
or any other state or federal law.
Within 30 days after final passage, administration shall identify
the Department which shall:
A. Be responsible for overseeing this Buy Camden Ordinance;
B. Establish policies and protocols for ensuring compliance with same;
C. Ensure sufficient staff to provide appropriate oversight of this
chapter; and
D. Take other actions necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
If any section, subsection, clause, or provision of this chapter
is held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder
of this chapter shall not be affected by such invalidity.
This chapter shall take effect 20 days after its final passage
and publication as provided by law.