Richmond Municipal Code Art. II Position of the Finance Director

(a) Principal Public Procurement Official. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Finance Director shall serve as the principal public procurement official for the City, and shall be responsible for the procurement of supplies and services as defined herein, and the management and disposal of inventories and surplus supplies in accordance with this chapter.

(1) The Finance Director shall have the duties and powers prescribed by the laws of the State of California relating to City purchasing agents, the City Charter, this chapter, and the resolutions of the City Council. The Finance Director may appoint such deputies, assistants, and other employees as may be authorized by the City Council.

(2) The Finance Director may appoint such special deputies or Procurement Partners, as he/she deems reasonably necessary to the performance of his/her job-related responsibilities. All such special deputies shall act without additional compensation. The Finance Director may revoke such appointments at any time as he/she may see fit. The Finance Director shall furnish the City Manager with such reports and information as the City Manager may from time to time request.

(b) Duties. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the Finance Director shall, in accordance with regulations, use his/her best efforts to:

(1) Procure, or delegate the procurement, rental, or lease of supplies, services, and other personal property of whatever nature needed by the City

(2) Negotiate as agent for the City, equipment services contracts and lease-purchase agreements of personal property;

(3) Exercise general supervision and control over inventories of supplies belonging to the City;

(4) Recommend the sale, trade, lease, exchange, or disposal of surplus supplies, equipment, vehicles, and any other surplus personal property belonging to the City;

(5) Solicit and recommend advantageous trade-in allowances for City property that the Finance Director has previously determined is no longer required for public use;

(6) Solicit or recommend independent contractors to perform services for the City and its office, with or without the furnishing of materials;

(7) Establish and maintain programs for the inspection, testing, and acceptance of supplies and services;

(8) Ensure compliance with this chapter and implementing regulations, by reviewing and monitoring procurements conducted by any designee, department, agency, or official delegated authority by the Finance Director; and

(9) Perform such other services as the City Council or the City Manager may direct.

(d) Power to Adopt Operational Procedures and Regulations. The Finance Director may adopt operational procedures, governing the internal functions of Purchasing Services Division, and other regulations consistent with the chapter, governing the procurement, management, control, and disposal of any supplies and services procured by the City.

(e) Delegation of Authority by the Purchasing Manager. Subject to regulations, the Finance Director may delegate authority to designees or to any department, agency, or official to purchase certain supplies, equipment, or services if such delegation is deemed necessary for the effective procurement of those items.

(f) Source Selection Database. The Finance Director shall establish and maintain a central database of suppliers and contractors, categorized by the goods and services they provide. Suppliers and contractors may be added to the database upon request. When practicable, the City shall invite all suppliers and contractors in the appropriate categories to participate in solicitations described in Sections 2.52.310 (Competitive sealed bids), and 2.52.315 (Competitive sealed proposals). The City shall not place unnecessary restrictions on qualifications for the source selection database. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the City from notifying suppliers and contractors of solicitations solely by electronic means, and nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the City from notifying suppliers and contractors who are not in the City's Source Selection Database.

(g) Purchasing Procedure. Except as otherwise provided by City Charter or ordinance, the Finance Director shall make purchases, leases, rentals, and contracts only upon properly authorized requisitions. No purchase order shall be issued until the Finance Director has certified that sufficient money is available in the proper budget appropriation to pay for such purchase, rental, or contract. If the cost of any purchase cannot be readily ascertained, the Finance Director may estimate such cost and the Finance Director may make the previously mentioned certification based upon such estimated cost. The head of any City office, agency, or department is hereby authorized to submit requisitions for purchases, leases, rentals, and contracts for such office, agency, or department, and to delegate such authority to one or more of his/her deputies or assistants by filing written authorization therefore with the Finance Director.

(h) Authority to Contract for Legal Services. No contract for the services of legal counsel may be awarded without the approval of the City Attorney.

(i) Exception. Unless otherwise ordered by regulation, with approval of the City Council, the following supplies need not be procured by the Finance Director or subject to the requirements of this chapter and the regulations:

(1) Works of art for museum and public display;

(2) Published books, maps, and technical pamphlets for library use.

(Ord. No. 14-20 N.S., § I, 6-30-2020)