This chapter is adopted pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22034, and any succeeding or related statutes, for the purpose of implementing the informal bid procedures set forth in the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (Public Contract Code Section 22000, et seq.).
(Ord. 2089 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2183 § 2, 2020)
This chapter may be used for public projects with a value equal to or less than the amounts set forth in Public Contract Code Section 22032, and will be increased automatically as authorized in any successor statute or regulation, or, when applicable, as established pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22020.
(Ord. 2089 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2183 § 2, 2020)
Unless the contrary is stated or clearly appears from the context, the definitions in Public Contract Code Section 22002 and set forth below will govern the construction of the words and phrases used in this chapter:
"City manager"
means the city manager or designee. Unless otherwise designated by the city manager in writing, the public works director will constitute the city manager's designee for purposes of this chapter.
(Ord. 2089 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2183 § 2, 2020)
The city manager may solicit bids, award contracts up to sixty thousand dollars, and execute contracts for public projects. Contracts for public projects costing sixty thousand dollars or more may be subject to informal bidding procedures and must be awarded by the city council. Contracts for public projects costing two hundred thousand dollars or more require formal bidding pursuant to the Public Contract Code.
(Ord. 2089 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2183 § 2, 2020)
The public works department will maintain a list of qualified contractors, identified according to categories of work. Any licensed contractor requesting to have its name placed on this list must be included. The list may be periodically revised to remove inactive names. A name may be deemed inactive if:
(a) 
Letters addressed to the contractor at its last known address are returned without a forwarding address;
(b) 
The contractor does not obtain plans for, or bid on, a public project for two years;
(c) 
The contractor's license is revoked or suspended by the California State Licensing Board;
(d) 
The contractor removes its name; or
(e) 
For other good cause as determined by the city manager.
Before removing a qualified contractor from the city's bid list, the city manager must make a good faith attempt to notify the contractor regarding the removal.
(Ord. 2089 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2183 § 2, 2020)
(a) 
The notice inviting bids must describe the project in general terms, indicate how to obtain more detailed information regarding the project, and state the time and place for submitting bids.
(b) 
Unless the product or service is proprietary, not less than ten calendar days before the date set for opening bids, the city manager must notify contractors using one or both of the following methods:
(1) 
Mail notices to each contractor on the list for the category of work to be performed;
(2) 
Mail notices to each of the construction trade journals specified in Public Contract Code Section 22036.
(Ord. 2089 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2183 § 2, 2020)
(a) 
Bid security is required for all bids on public projects when the public works director estimates that the price will exceed sixty thousand dollars. Bid security may be a bond issued by a licensed and duly qualified corporate surety, or the equivalent in cash, money order, cashier's check, certified check, unconditional letter of credit, or other form approved by the city attorney. Nothing in this section prevents the city from requiring bid security on public projects less than sixty thousand dollars when the city manager believes such security is needed to protect the city's interests.
(b) 
Bid security must equal at least ten percent of the bid amount.
(c) 
If the notice inviting bids requires a bid security, noncompliance or defective, inadequate, or incomplete security will render the bid nonresponsive.
(d) 
Bid security will be forfeited or paid to the city should the bidder fail to execute a contract within the time specified in the notice inviting bids.
(Ord. 2089 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2183 § 2, 2020)
The city clerk, or designee, will publicly open all bids in the presence of one or more witnesses at the time and place specified in the invitation for bids. Late, misplaced, or unsealed bids cannot be considered. If no bids are received, the city may proceed as set forth in Public Contract Code Section 22038.
(Ord. 2089 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2183 § 2, 2020)
(a) 
The contract may be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder if the city manager or city council considers the bid to be reasonable, sufficient funds are appropriated for the public project, and the bid is within the limits specified by Public Contract Code Section 22032 or, if applicable, Public Contract Code Section 22020.
(b) 
Should all qualified bids exceed the limits in Public Contract Code Section 22032, the city council may, by adopting a resolution upon four-fifths vote, award the contract, provided the award is expressly authorized by Public Contract Code Section 22034(d).
(c) 
Nothing in this section restricts the city from taking any action set forth in Public Contract Code Section 22038.
(Ord. 2089 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2183 § 2, 2020)
Contractors awarded a contract under this chapter are required to provide sureties and insurance in forms approved by the city attorney and conforming with the contract documents.
(Ord. 2089 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2183 § 2, 2020)