20-036 RESOLUTION NO. 20-036
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, APPROVING A NEW PURCHASING POLICY.
WHEREAS, the City Council of Southlake on October 2, 2007 adopted a Purchasing
Policy; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended substantial revisions to same; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to approve the revisions; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, THAT:
SECTION 1.
The City of Southlake hereby adopts the Purchasing Policy, attached hereto as Exhibit"A"
and incorporated by reference herein.
SECTION 2.
The former Purchasing Policy is repealed.
SECTION 3.
This Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption and it is so Resolved.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS, THE 154-'-"--' DAY OF 601,(4)04.,r.2020.
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS
Atikilla4/1/)
Laura Hill
Mayor
%
°`®�0119lrrro;o�
ATTEST: co:e.SJ-(N�... ,
.' �
10 ® L
Amy elley, T °1•arari•'•'••e• �``
City Secretary , `
� ��`
City of Southlake
Policies and Procedures
Policy: Purchasing Policy
Source: City Council
Category: Finance Administration
Effective Date: September 15,2020
City Council Approval Date: September 15,2020
Purpose
The purpose of this Purchasing Policy is to ensure accountable, efficient, transparent, and ethical
practices are used to acquire products and services. This policy is intended to promote the best
interest of the citizens of the City and compliance with State purchasing statutes.
Applicability
The Purchasing Policy applies to the purchasing activities of the City.
Responsibility and Authority
Under the City of Southlake's Charter 9.41, the Council may, by ordinance, confer upon the City
Manager general authority to contract for expenditures without further approval of the Council for
all budgeted items not exceeding limits set by the Council. All contracts for expenditures involving
more than the set limits must be expressly approved in advance by the Council. All contracts or
purchases involving more than the limits set, shall be let to the bidder whose submittal is among
those most responsive to the needs of the City after there has been opportunity for competitive
bidding as provided by law or ordinance;provided that the Council, or City Manager in such cases as
he/she is authorized to contract for the City, shall have the right to reject any and all bids.
With Ordinance No. 888, dated June 19, 2005, City Council conferred upon the City Manager
general authority to contract for expenditures without further approval of the Council for all
budgeted items not exceeding limits as specified in Texas Local Government Code 252.021(a) or its
successor statute. City Council must approve all other purchases, except when an emergency
purchase exists, as defined by state law.
Department Directors shall ensure their department's adherence to this policy. Department
Directors shall determine and assign the appropriate:,approvers within their department. Approvers
are responsible for ensuring that departmental purchases adhere to this policy and all budgetary
requirements.
Definitions
Competitive Sealed Bids
A purchasing method by which a governmental entity will indicate specific requirements and
specifications for its purchasing need and then posts a notice inviting potential suppliers to submit
bids with their offered price. Each bidder gets the chance to submit a bid once without any
modifications allowed. The government will typically select the bidder who offers the lowest price or
best value to the entity.
Competitive Sealed Proposals
A purchasing method by which a governmental entity may request proposals and pricing
information based on the scope of work provided, rank the offerors, negotiate a contract, and then
award the project to the contractor that offers the best value and most advantageous proposal.
Component Purchases
Purchases of the component parts of an item that in normal purchasing practices would be
purchased in one purchase.
Historically Underutilized Business (HUB)
A corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership or a joint venture formed for the purpose of making
a profit in which at least 51 percent ownership of the business is by a woman,minority and/or
service-disabled veteran.The State of Texas must certify the business as a HUB to qualify.
Separate Purchases
Purchases, made separately, of items that in normal purchasing practices would be purchased in one
purchase.
Sequential Purchases
Purchases made over a period, of items that in normal purchasing practices would be purchased in
one purchase.
General
Purchasing is a function of each department. The Purchasing Division shall provide guidance and
assistance to departmental personnel regarding purchasing. The Purchasing Division shall monitor
compliance with purchasing laws, City policies and procedures.
All purchases shall be in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, including, but not limited
to, Chapters 252 and 271 of the Texas Local Government Code, and the City of Southlake Charter.
All purchasing shall adhere to sound purchasing procedures to ensure that Southlake taxpayers
receive the best value for City purchases.
Bidding Parameters
Purchases Less Than the HUB Requirements
The Texas Local Government Code 252.0215 or its successor statute sets the Historically
Underutilized Business (HUB) requirements. No quotes are required but are recommended when
possible. Only depaitmental level approval as determined by the Department Director is required.
Purchases within the HUB Requirement Range
These purchases require at least three (3) informal written quotes/bids. At least two (2) of the
contacts solicited for quotations must be from vendors on the State's current certified HUB list. If
the listing fails to identify a HUB in the county in which the City is situated, the City is exempt from
this requirement. The written quotes and the solicitations must be retained for auditing purposes.
The Texas Local Government Code 252.0215 or its successor statute sets the Historically
Underutilized Business (HUB) requirements. Departmental level, purchasing division, and when
applicable, City Manager Office approvals are required.
Purchases Governed by the Competitive Purchasing Requirements
The Texas Local Government Code 252 or its successor statute sets Competitive Purchasing
requirements. The City may use either Competitive Sealed Bids or Competitive Sealed Proposals for
expenditures or purchases subject to Competitive Purchasing requirements. Contracts required to be
procured by Competitive Purchasing are awarded or rejected by the City Council.
Competitive Sealed Bidding
The City will use the "best value" method to award contracts under the competitive sealed bid
method. The City will indicate in the bid specifications that the contract may be awarded either to
the lowest responsible bidder or to the bidder who provides goods and services at the best value to
the City. The City will further indicate in the bid specifications that it reserves the right to reject any
or all bids and reopen the bidding process if it is in the best interest of the City.
In determining the "best value" for the City, the City may consider:
• Purchase Price;
• Reputation of the bidder and the bidder's goods and services;
• Quality of the bidder's goods or services;
• Extent to which the goods or services meet the City's needs;
• Bidder's past relationship with the City;
• Impact on the ability of the City to comply with laws and rules relating to contracting with
historically underutilized businesses and nonprofit organizations employing persons with
disabilities;
• Total long-term cost to the City to acquire the bidder's goods or services; and
• Any relevant criteria specifically listed in the request for bids.
Competitive Sealed Proposals
Requests for proposals must solicit quotations and must specify the relative importance of price and
other evaluation factors. Discussions in accordance with the terms of a request for proposals may be
conducted with offerors who submit proposals and who are determined to be reasonably qualified
for the award of the contract. Offerors shall be treated fairly and equally with respect to any
opportunity for discussion and revision of proposals. To obtain the best final offers, revisions may
be permitted after submissions and before the award of the contract.
Exceptions to Competitive Purchasing Requirements
Texas Local Government Code Section 252.022 or its successor statute outlines exemptions from
the Competitive Purchasing Requirements, including during emergencies. With Ordinance No. 888,
City Council conferred upon the City Manager authority to authorize emergency expenditures, as
defined in State statute, without competitive bids / proposals. The City Manager shall present the
emergency expenditures to City Council for ratification within 30 days.
Change Orders
With Ordinance No. 888, City Council conferred upon the City Manager the authority to approve
change orders to a contract for a decrease or increase up to the amount specified in Texas Local
Government Code Section 252.048(c). City Council shall approve a decrease or increase greater than
the amount specified in Texas Local Government Code Section 252.048(c). The original contract
price may not be increased by more than 25 percent. The original contract price may not be
decreased by more than 25 percent without the consent of the contractor.
Criminal Penalties
A City officer or employee commits an offense if the officer or employee intentionally or knowingly
makes or authorizes separate, sequential, or component purchases to avoid the competitive bidding
requirements of Texas Local Government Code Section 252.021 (Competitive Requirements for
Purchases) or any other requirement of Chapter 252 of the Code.
Disposal of Surplus Property
The City shall dispose of a surplus property item with an estimated net auction value greater than
$500 through a public auction or internet sale to the highest bidder. For heavily damaged or items
with an estimated net auction value less than $500, the City may donate the item to a nonprofit
organization, recycler, or dispose of the item. The cost of storage of these items and personnel time
required to manage the auction items,including meeting the highest bidder is significantly more than
the net proceeds and therefore, not cost effective.