3.16.060 Bidding procedure.
Except as provided by this chapter, purchases of supplies and equipment of an estimated value of twenty-five thousand dollars or more shall be made from the lowest responsible bidder pursuant to the procedure prescribed herein, as follows:
A. Notice Inviting Bids. Notices inviting bids shall include a general description of the articles to be purchased, shall state where bid blanks and specifications may be secured and the time and place for opening bids.
B. Published Notice. Notice inviting bids shall be published at least ten days before the date of opening of the bids. Such notice shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation, printed and published in the city or, if there is none, it shall be posted in at least three public places in the city.
C. Bidders’ List. The purchasing officer shall also solicit sealed bids from all prospective suppliers whose names are on the bidders’ list or who have requested that their names be added thereto.
D. Bidder’s Security. When deemed necessary by the purchasing officer, or when required by law, bidder’s security shall be prescribed in the public notices inviting bids. Bidders shall be entitled to return of bid security; provided, that a successful bidder shall forfeit his bid security upon refusal or failure to execute the purchase contract within ten days after the notice of award of contract has been mailed, unless the city is responsible for the delay. The city council may, on refusal or failure of the successful bidder to execute the contract, award it to the next lowest responsible bidder. If the city council awards the contract to the next lowest bidder, the amount of the lowest bidder’s security shall be applied by the city to the difference between the low bid and the second lowest bid, and the surplus, if any, shall be returned to the lowest bidder.
E. Bid Opening Procedure. Sealed bids shall be submitted to the purchasing officer and shall be identified as bids on the envelope. Bids shall be opened in public at the time and place stated in the public notices. A tabulation of all bids received shall be open for public inspection during regular business hours for a period of not less than thirty calendar days after the bid opening.
F. Lowest Responsible Bidder. In addition to price, the lowest responsible bidder will be determined by the city council, in its discretion, after the following factors have been considered:
1. The ability, capacity and skill of the bidder to perform the contract or provide service required;
2. Whether the bidder has the facilities to perform the contract or provide the service promptly, or within the time specified, without delay or interference;
3. The character, integrity, reputation, judgment, experience and efficiency of the bidder;
4. The bidder’s record of performance of previous contracts or services;
5. The previous and existing compliance by the bidder with laws and ordinances relating to the contract or service;
6. The sufficiency of the financial resources and ability of the bidder to perform the contract or provide the service;
7. The quality, availability and adaptability of the supplies, equipment or services to the particular use required;
8. The ability of the bidder to provide future maintenance and service for the use of the subject of the contract; and
9. The number of scope of conditions attached to the bid.
G. Rejection of Bids. In its discretion, the city council may reject any or all bids presented, waive any informalities or make award on any alternative that may be in the best interest of the city.
H. Performance Bonds. The city council shall have authority to require a performance bond before entering a contract in such amount as it shall find reasonably necessary to protect the best interest of the city. If the city council requires a performance bond, the form and amount of the bond shall be described in the notice inviting bids. (Ord. 2013-01 § 1, 2013; Ord. 92-7 § 2, 1992; Ord. 76-4 § 6, 1976)