A. The purchasing officer may procure all budgeted supplies, services, professional services and construction having an estimated value of not more than $50,000 on the open market without formal advertising or other formal bid procedures, but subject to the following.

B. For procurements under this section over $5,000, whenever practicable, at least three informal bids or quotations shall be solicited and a record kept thereof. The solicitation may be either oral or written, and shall be in a form reasonably calculated to yield the lowest responsive bid by a responsible bidder. In addition, for any procurement under this section over $15,000, the solicitation and acceptance must be in writing. As required by PMC 3.21.100, all contracts must be signed by the city manager or acting city manager.

C. Awards, where practicable, shall be made to the responsible bidder submitting the lowest responsive bid. The purchasing officer shall keep a record of all open market bids received and awards made thereon.

D. All contract awards under this section, and any amendments thereto, shall be subject to the applicable approval requirements of PMC 3.21.090 prior to execution. (Ord. 644 § 4, 2004)