Fayette Purchasing Levels ordinance (§ 112.070)

A. There are established four (4) levels of purchases that may be made by authorized employees:

1. Incidental purchases less than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00).

2. Minor purchases two thousand five hundred one dollars ($2,501.00) to five thousand dollars ($5,000.00).

3. Major purchases five thousand one dollars ($5,001.00) to ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).

4. Significant purchases ten thousand one dollars ($10,001.00) or more.

B. Incidental Purchases. Incidental purchases do not require any prior approval. Vendors should be selected based on price and convenience. Comparison of prices is encouraged but not required.

C. Minor Purchases. Minor purchases do not require any prior approval from the Board of Aldermen and can be approved by the City Administrator or City Clerk and through utilizing best price practices when possible and within reason.

D. Major Purchases. Major purchases require the authorized employee making the purchase to compare prices from at least three (3) sources when possible, depending on the type of material, service, and available vendors within reason and geographic location. Price comparisons may be made by telephone solicitations, emailed solicitations, faxed solicitations, or by comparison of advertised prices. The sources compared and the price offered must be documented.

E. Significant Purchases.

1. Competitive sealed bids may be required.

2. Significant purchases must be approved by the Board of Aldermen prior to beginning the bidding process. The Board of Aldermen shall also ensure that competition is not restricted with limits on the geographic location of vendors, with unreasonable requirements or qualifications placed on vendors or bidders, or by allowing vendors to be selected who have engaged in non-competitive pricing practices.