3.32.080 Open market purchasing.
Purchasing of supplies, services and equipment of an estimated value in the amount of one thousand to five thousand dollars and the purchase of supplies, services and equipment for public works improvement, and repair projects not required to be let through public bidding, and repairs to existing city equipment, may be made by the purchasing officer in the open market in accordance with the following procedure:
A. Minimum Number of Quotations. Open market purchases, wherever possible, may be based on at least three quotations and shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.
B. Solicitation of Quotations. The purchasing officer may solicit and receive quotations by written request to prospective suppliers, or by telephone.
C. Record of Quotations. The chief purchasing officer shall keep a record of all open market procurements and quotations for a period of one year after the placing of the order. This record, while so kept, shall be open to public inspections.
D. Exceptions. When the suppliers, services and equipment are available from only one source, the purchase is for highly perishable material or medical supplies, when prices for supplies, services and equipment are established by law, purchases from government agencies, when supplies, services and equipment require the repair, standardization or interchangeability of parts with existing equipment, or for small purchases that do not warrant the time and cost for obtaining competitive quotations, the procurement may be made in the most efficient method available consistent with the intent of this section and the best interest of the city. (Ord. 88-16 Art. 1 § 7, 1988)