Following the certification by the Comptroller of any requisition
from a department head as provided hereinabove, he or she shall proceed
to purchase the article, commodity or thing required, including those
required by the Board of Education except for items unique to the
Board of Education, provided that in all purchases of $1,000 or more
he or she shall obtain at least two competitive bids before making
the purchase, and further provided that in the case of all purchases
of over $3,000, including a continuing order or contract for the purchase
of the same article, commodity or thing over a period of time, competitive
bids on the basis of specifications prepared by the department requiring
the article, commodity or thing shall be advertised for, and the order
shall be awarded in conformity with such regulations as the Common
Council may establish by ordinance governing purchasing procedure.
Where any article, commodity or thing is known to the Purchasing Agent
to be required during the fiscal year by any two or more departments
or agencies of the city, he or she shall have power to require them
to file their requests therefor within 60 days from the beginning
of such fiscal year. When the Purchasing Agent receives less than
two competitive bids or where the goods or services sought are obtainable
from a single source, the Purchasing Agent may purchase from such
sole bidder or single source; providing, however, that every such
purchase in excess of $3,000 shall be subject to the approval of the
Common Council. The Common Council may empower special committees
to obtain for the city goods or services, and the requirements for
advertising and bidding shall apply to such committees. The Common
Council shall further have the power to establish and amend by ordinance
such rules, regulations, policies and procedures as it may deem necessary
or appropriate to define and govern the powers, duties, responsibilities
and operations of such Purchasing Division.
