3-4.3 Purchases by City Council—Competitive Bidding.
When the amount or value involved is over twenty-five thousand ($25,000.00) dollars, the purchase shall be made by the City Council through competitive bid for purchases and contracts for supplies and equipment in accordance with the following. Bids should be obtained from one (1) or more vendors located within the City of Clearlake whenever practical.
a. Notice inviting bids shall include a general description of the services and/or articles to be purchased or sold, where bid blanks and specifications may be obtained, the time and place for bid openings, and whether bid deposit or bond, faithful performance bond or other security will be required.
b. At least ten (10) days before the date of opening the bids, notice inviting bids shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation printed and published in the City, or posted in at least three (3) public places in the City that have been designated by ordinance as the place for posting public notices.
c. The Purchasing Agent shall also solicit sealed bids from all responsible prospective suppliers whose names are on an applicable bidder’s list, if any, and may advertise the notice inviting bids in applicable publications and websites readily accessible to the public.
d. When deemed necessary by the Purchasing Agent or City Council, any bidder may be required to submit a bid deposit or bond in an amount determined by the Purchasing Agent or City Council. Successful bidders (and their sureties, if a bond is furnished) shall be liable for any damages upon the failure to enter into a contract with the City or upon the failure to perform in accordance with the bid.
e. When deemed necessary by the Purchasing Agent or City Council, any person or entity entering into a contract with the City may be required to furnish a faithful performance bond and/or other security in an amount determined by the Purchasing Agent or Council.
f. 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 (30) calendar days after the bid opening.
g. At its discretion, the City Council may reject all bids presented and readvertise for bids.
h. Contracts shall be awarded by the City Council to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, except as otherwise provided in this section.
i. If two (2) or more bids received from responsive, responsible bidders are for the same total amount or unit price, quality and service being equal, preference shall be given to the local vendor, or the City Council may award the contract based on the lowest price obtained by negotiation with the tie bidders. (Ord. #2006-121; Ord. #253-2021, S1)