Inglewood Municipal Code § 2-190 Adoption of Purchasing System

This purchasing system is adopted to establish efficient procedures for acquiring goods and services at the lowest possible cost without sacrificing quality, to maintain financial oversight of purchases, and clearly define authority for the expenditure of public funds.

(Ord. 25-01, 1/16/2025)

As used in this Article, the following definitions shall apply:

"Best qualified person or firm"

shall mean the person or firm whose proposal, ranks the highest in accordance to the criteria specified in the solicitation document.

"Competitive bidding"

is a price only selection process where the contract award is to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

"Competitive procurement,"

refers to the formal or informal process of soliciting bids, proposals, quotes, or other similar offer from vendors for the procurement of goods or services to determine contract award. Depending on the nature of the goods or services being sought, the City's evaluation will be based on the "lowest responsive and responsible bidder" or "best qualified person or firm" as more fully detailed in the City's Request for Bids, Request for Proposals, Request for Quotes or similar solicitation document. The City may utilize alternative project delivery methods and procurement strategies for public works projects, instead of awarding to a lowest responsive and responsible bidder, as more fully detailed in the solicitation document.

"Competitive selection"

is a process whereby various criteria are used to determine which person or firm offers the City the overall best value. Criteria in addition to cost are weighed and a contract can be awarded to the best qualified person or firm instead of the person or firm with the lowest price.

"Emergency"

means a sudden, unexpected occurrence, requiring immediate action necessary to permit the City's continued operation or provision of services. An emergency purchase shall be limited to such goods and services necessary to satisfy the emergency need.

"Goods"

include, but are not limited to, materials, supplies, and equipment.

"Lowest responsive and responsible bidder"

shall mean the lowest bidder whose bid best responds in quality, fitness, and capacity to the requirements of the proposed work or usage.

(Ord. 25-01, 1/16/2025)