HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter 12 - Property and PurchasingCity of Oshkosh Municipal Code
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CHAPTER 12
PROPERTY AND PURCHASING
ARTICLE I. CITY PROPERTIES (RESERVED)
ARTICLE II. PURCHASING
12-7 AUTHORITY
12-8 GENERAL PROVISIONS
12-9 PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
12-10 PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND CONTRACTUAL SERVICES
12-11 SOLE SOURCE
12-12 PURCHASES OF COMMODITIES
12-13 USED OR SURPLUS EQUIPMENT
12-14 EMERGENCY PURCHASES
12-15 COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAMS
12-16 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
ARTICLE III. ABANDONED OR SURPLUS PROPERTY
12-17 ABANDONED OR SURPLUS PROPERTY
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ARTICLE I. CITY PROPERTIES
ARTICLE II. PURCHASING
SECTION 12-7 AUTHORITY
The General Services Bureau Manager is hereby designated as the Purchasing Authority for the City of
Oshkosh and shall make all purchases for all City departments, whose funds are under the direction of
the City Manager or Council. The Purchasing Authority will be responsible for city purchases, but may
delegate to others the tasks related to purchasing. Those city entities, whose funds are not under the
direction of the City Manager or Council, may, upon mutual agreement, utilize the services of the
Purchasing Authority. Regardless of whether purchasing is performed by the Purchasing Authority, a
designee of the Purchasing Authority or another city entity, all purchasing shall be done in accordance
with state statutes, municipal code, and the city’s purchasing policies and on the basis of the lowest
price commensurate with quality, service, and delivery.
SECTION 12-8 GENERAL PROVISIONS
(A) The City’s Purchasing Authority or City Departments or Divisions may purchase supplies,
equipment, goods and materials, and recommend that the City enter into agreements or contracts
for services or Public Works when the costs of the same have been included in the approved City
budget. Except as specifically excluded by State Statute or this Municipal Code, when the
estimated aggregate costs may exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), such purchase shall
be approved by the Common Council by resolution.
(B) The City Manager and his/her designee shall be authorized to enter into agreements or purchase
orders as appropriate, when the costs have been included in the City Budget and the estimated
aggregate costs of the purchase will not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).
(C) No contract or purchase shall be done by serial purchases or otherwise artificially subdivided to
avoid complying with the requirements of this ordinance.
(D) This Chapter shall apply to every purchase regardless of the source of the funds to be used for the
purchase, including state and federal assistance, gifts, grants and any other funds received by the
City, except nothing in this Chapter shall prevent the City from complying with the terms and
conditions of any federal or state grant or other assistance requirements.
(E) Upon approval of the City Manager, the City may enter into multi-year agreements or renew
existing agreements for supplies, equipment, goods and materials, and/or services, with an initial
term of no longer than three (3) years and with extensions thereof up to a maximum of five (5)
years in total duration, when the original bid or quotation requested pricing for multiple years or
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the option for renewal and the appropriate department head together with the Purchasing
Authority determines that it is in the best interest of the City to enter into the multi-year
agreement or renewal.
(F) Change orders are required for changes in project scope or cost. Change orders will be made in
accordance with the following procedures:
(1) Approval authority. Unless otherwise specified, change orders can be approved by the City
Manager for an amount within the amount budgeted, up to $25,000 or 15% of the contract
price, whichever is lower.
Any change order in excess of the budgeted amount, in excess of $25,000 or in excess of 15%
of the contract price, shall require recommendation by the City Manager and approval by
the Common Council.
(2) For contracts or purchases which were not approved by the Common Council because they
were estimated to not exceed $25,000, change orders shall not cause the total contract or
purchase to exceed $25,000 without Council Approval.
(3) Notwithstanding the limitations contained in paragraphs 1 and 2 above, the City Manager
shall have the authority to approve change orders which, in the City Manager’s discretion,
are in the best interests of the City and necessary to not impede progress upon a project or
required by emergency or other necessity. The City Manager shall report change orders
entered into under this paragraph which would have required Council approval to the
Common Council as soon as practicable and within 60 days of approval of the change order.
(G) The City Manager shall prepare and submit to the Common Council a written report concerning
purchases for any vendors or service providers whose total aggregate purchases in a single
calendar year exceed $300,000.
SECTION 12-9 PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
(A) Public Bidding – Projects in excess of $25,000. In accordance with Wisconsin State
Statute Section 62.15, as amended or renumbered, and
except as specifically permitted by statute or as provided below, all public works projects
for which the cost may exceed $25,000 must be competitively bid. The bidding and award
process for such projects shall be governed by Section 66.0901, as amended or renumbered,
of the Wisconsin State Statutes.
(B) Public Works Projects less than $25,000. Public Works projects for which the cost is
expected to be less than $25,000 need not be publicly bid however, except as specifically
permitted by statute or as provided below, all Public Works projects for which the cost may
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exceed $5,000 but are anticipated to not exceed $25,000 must be noticed with a Class I
Notice as provided in Wisconsin State Statute Section 62.15.
(C) Work to be done directly by the City
1) Wisconsin Statutes permit the Common Council by a vote of three-fourths of all the
members-elect to provide by ordinance that any class of public construction or any
part thereof may be done directly by the City without submitting the same for bids.
2) The Council hereby provides that the following classes of work may be performed
directly by the City without submitting the same for bids and without additional
Council approval when in the opinion of the Director of Public Works or Director of
Transportation, as appropriate, such work can be performed by municipal crews in a
timely and cost effective manner and within budget:
a) grading and graveling, repair, resurfacing and reconstruction of streets or
alleys;
b) construction, repair or maintenance of sanitary or storm sewers, water mains
and other municipal utilities;
c) repair, alterations or improvements to, and demolition and removal of
structures on municipal property or property to be acquired by the City;
d) installation, repair or maintenance of street lights, traffic signals and signage
e) construction, installation, repair or maintenance of electrical, cable or fiber
optics systems
Public works projects other than as specifically listed above, may be done directly by the
City upon specific approval of the project by a vote of three-fourths members-elect of the
Common Council as provided in subsection (1) above.
SECTION 12-10 PURCHASES OF EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND
CONTRACTUAL SERVICES
Except as provided in Sections 12-12 through 12-17 below, all purchases of equipment; materials;
supplies; and contractual services, including but not limited to, telephone services, cleaning and dry
cleaning services, rental, repair or maintenance of equipment, machinery or other property to be
owned or used by the City shall be done according to the following procedure:
(A) Purchases or Contracts for Services, Supplies, Materials and Equipment in excess of $25,000 –
Competitive Sealed Bids
When the estimated aggregate costs for contractual services, materials and equipment may
exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) the Purchasing Authority, or designee, shall take
competitive sealed bids:
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(1) Invitation for Bids. Where competitive sealed bidding is utilized, an Invitation for Bids shall
be issued which shall include a purchase description and all contractual terms and
conditions applicable to the procurement.
(2) Public Notice. Appropriate public notice of the Invitation for Bids shall be given a
reasonable time prior to the date set forth therein for the opening of bids, as required by
law, or in accordance with policy approved by the City Manager.
(3) Bid Opening. Bids shall be opened publicly at the time and place designated in the
Invitation for Bids. The amount of each bid, and such other relevant information as may be
specified in the Invitation for Bids, together with the name of each bidder, shall be recorded.
The record and each bid shall be open to public inspection.
(4) Bid Acceptance. Bids must be submitted timely, be substantially complete and when
applicable, must include any pre-qualification documentation and bond requirements.
(5) Bid Evaluation and Award. Bids shall be evaluated based on the requirements set forth in
the bid documents, which may include criteria to determine acceptability such as inspection,
testing, quality, workmanship, environmental responsibility, economic sustainability,
delivery and suitability for a particular purpose. The contract shall be awarded with
reasonable promptness by written notice to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder
whose bid meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the bid documents. Such criteria
may include:
• the ability, capacity, and skill of the bidder to perform the contract or provide the service
required;
• whether the bidder can perform or contract the service promptly or within the time
specified without delay or interference;
• the quality of performance of previous contracts or services;
• the previous and existing compliance by the bidder with laws and ordinances relating to
the contract or service;
• the sufficiency of the financial resources and ability of the bidder to perform the contract
or provide the service;
• the quality, availability and adaptability of the equipment supplies or contractual
services to the particular use required;
• the ability of the bidder to obtain or provide future maintenance and services for the use
of the subject of the contract;
• the number and scope of conditions attached to the bid.
Minor errors in bid procedures shall not be grounds for delaying or prohibiting Common
Council approval of a purchase. Minor errors include, but are not limited to, errors in a
bidder’s completion of bid documents which are not material to the bid itself; which
indicate no apparent prejudice to the public or other bidders, and which have no indication
of compromising the integrity of the bidding process.
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The Purchasing Authority shall have authority to reject any and all bids or parts of all bids
and re-advertise or re-solicit bids whenever it is deemed to be in the best interest of the City.
1. Tie Bids. While state law does not allow a local preference, in the event that identical lowest
bids are received for the same contract total amount with unit price, quality and service
being equal, the contract shall be awarded to a bidder with a business located within
Oshkosh city limits. If there is no bidder with a business located within Oshkosh city limits
the contract shall be awarded to one of the tie bidders by drawing lots.
2. Recommendation to Award. A bid tabulation summarizing the bids received for each item
listing the name, bid price and other bid details shall be submitted by the Purchasing
Authority to the City Manager with recommendation to award to the Common Council.
3. Protest. Protests to any sealed bid or bid award recommended by the Purchasing Authority
or his or her designee may be made by any bidder as listed in subsection (1) and (2) below.
Requests for Quotations and Request for Proposals are not bids and protest procedures do
not apply.
(1) Bid Specification Protest. Specifications that contain a term, condition or provision
which prevents a vendor from bidding or are alleged to be restrictive relative to the
market and/or the service requirements of the City can be appealed by filing a
written protest with the City of Oshkosh
Purchasing Authority at least five (5) business days prior to bid opening. The
protest shall be in writing and state the reason for it. The Purchasing Authority or
his or her designee shall review protests and, if modifications are necessary, an
addenda containing the changes shall be sent to each bidder and the bid opening
date may be extended. If modification is rejected, the protestor shall be notified.
The decision of the General Purchasing Authority or his or her designee is final.
(2) Bid Award Protest. Protests concerning irregularities on sealed bid opening
procedures, or compliance by bidders with bid documents, must be received by the
Purchasing Authority within seventy-two (72) hours after time of bid opening. A
protest shall be in writing and state the reason for it. The Purchasing Authority or
his or her designee shall review the protest and notify the protestor of a decision in
writing within five business (5) days. No contract shall be awarded while a protest
is pending, unless this action will cause undue harm to the City of Oshkosh. A
protest which is untimely, fails to state the reason for it or made prior to the bid
opening is invalid. The decision of the General Purchasing Authority or his or her
designee may be appealed to the City Manager or his or her designee within
seventy-two (72 hours) of the Purchasing Authority’s notification of modification
rejection to the protestor. The decision of the City Manager or his or her designee is
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final.
(3) Filing and Notification Requirements. Notification under this paragraph shall mean
notification in writing. Documents filed for protests and Notification may be sent
via United States mail in a manner which provides notification of the date of
delivery, sent via facsimile transmission or email to the email address listed in the
bid documents for the City or to the email address of the protestor as identified
within the protest document. Notification shall be complete upon date of delivery of
mail or date of transmission for facsimile or email service.
4. Protest. FTA funded procurements. For any protest related to a Federal Transportation
Administration (FTA) funded procurement it is the responsibility of the local contract
administrator to keep the FTA informed and updated on the status of the protest. Chapter
VII, Sec. 1.b. of the FTA Circular 4220.1 F addresses protests where federal funds are
involved. The FTA will only review protests regarding matters that are primarily of Federal
concern.
(B) Purchases or Contracts for Services, Supplies, Materials and Equipment greater than $1,500 but
not in excess of $25,000 – Competitive Quotations
When the purchase of contractual services, supplies, materials and equipment is expected to be
greater $1,500 but not in excess of $25,000, the Purchasing Authority, or designee, shall solicit
competitive quotations for contractual services, supplies, materials and/or equipment.
(1) Competitive quotations. Whenever practicable, the Purchasing Authority shall solicit three
competitive quotations from prospective suppliers.
(2) Solicitation methods. The solicitation will require formal quotations to be delivered to the
Purchasing Authority or designee as specified in the solicitation, in writing by direct mail,
facsimile, telephone, email or in-person delivery by a date and time specified.
SECTION 12-11 SOLE SOURCE
Upon approval of the City Manager to do so without following a formal competitive bidding or
quotation process, the City’s Purchasing Authority or City Departments or Divisions may enter into
agreements for the purchase of service(s), material(s), supplies, or equipment item(s) that is (are)
available from only one source of supply or when standardization or compatibility is the overriding
consideration. When the estimated aggregate cost of a purchase made under this paragraph may
exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), such purchase shall be approved by the Common
Council by resolution.
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SECTION 12-12 PURCHASES OF COMMODITIES
Subject to approval of the City Manager, the City’s Purchasing Authority or City Departments or
Divisions may enter into agreements without following a competitive bidding or quotation process and
without separate approval from the Common Council for the purchase of commodities when the
Purchasing Authority determines that it is in the best interest of the City to do so.
For purposes of this ordinance, commodities shall mean products, such as fuel, which are reasonably
homogenous goods or materials and which may be subject to changes or fluctuations in supply and
demand and market price such that it is impractical or may not be in the best interest of the City to
follow a competitive bidding or quotation process for procurement.
SECTION 12-13 USED OR SURPLUS EQUIPMENT
Subject to approval of the City Manager, the City’s Purchasing Authority or City Departments or
Divisions may enter into agreements without following a competitive bidding or quotation process for
the acquisition of any used or surplus or excess equipment, materials or supplies, from a federal, state
or local government if the Purchasing Authority in consultation with the appropriate department head
determines that such acquisition is in the best interest of the City. When the estimated aggregate cost of
a purchase made under this paragraph may exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), such
purchase shall be approved by the Common Council by resolution.
SECTION 12-14 EMERGENCY PURCHASES
Subject to approval of the City Manager and without separate approval from the Common Council, the
City’s Purchasing Authority or City Departments or Divisions may enter into agreements without
following a competitive bidding or quotation process for purchases when warranted by an emergency
situation:
(1) that threatens the public health, safety, or welfare and all of the following conditions exist:
was unforeseen, calls for immediate action, and cannot be responded to using established
procurement methods; or
(2) exists as the result of a proclamation under Section 9-2 Declaration of Emergency and
Emergency Powers, of this Code; provided in such case, the Department or Division head
reports such purchases to the Purchasing Authority during the next City Hall working day, or
as soon thereafter as practicable. Purchases made pursuant to the provisions in this
paragraph shall be reported to the Common Council upon Declaration of the end of the
Emergency.
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SECTION 12-15 COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAMS
Subject to approval of the City Manager, the City’s Purchasing Authority or City Departments or
Divisions may without following a competitive bidding or quotation process enter into agreements for
purchases pursuant to a contract with any other local, state, or federal governmental unit or agency.
Where a federal, state, or local government or cooperative purchasing group made up of purchasing
officers from a federal, state, or local government, has awarded a contract for the purchase of
equipment; materials; supplies; and contractual services, the Purchasing Authority may, using the
same terms and conditions of the contract, purchase or lease the same equipment; materials; supplies;
or contractual services from the vendor to whom the contract was awarded.
The City may participate in cooperative purchasing agreements with other federal, state, or local
governments.
The City may enter into agreements for the common use or lease of facilities with other units of federal,
state, or local government.
The City Manager shall prepare and submit to the Common Council a written report concerning
purchases made under this paragraph under a competitive bidding process from any cooperative
purchasing program anticipated to exceed $25,000 on a single project. When the estimated costs may
exceed $75,000, such purchase, agreement or contract shall be approved by the Common Council by
resolution.
SECTION 12-16 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Subject to the approval of the City Manager, the City’s Purchasing Authority, or City Departments or
Divisions without following a competitive bidding or quotation process and without separate approval
from the Common Council may enter into agreements, without regard to the limitation on duration for
multi-year and renewal agreements specified in Section 12-8 of this code, for the purchase of
professional services. For purposes of this ordinance, professional services includes services, the value
of which are substantially measured by the professional competence of the persons performing them
and which are not susceptible to realistic competition by cost alone, including, but not limited to, those
customarily rendered by architects, engineers, surveyors, real estate appraisers, certified public
accountants, attorneys, financial advisors, medical and social service providers, computer software
applications, systems development and implementation, management and other consultants,
promotional programs such as marketing and advertising.
The City Manager shall prepare and submit to the Common Council a written report concerning
purchases made under this paragraph for any professional services anticipated to exceed $25,000 on a
single project. When the estimated costs may exceed $75,000, such purchase, agreement or contract
shall be approved by the Common Council by resolution.
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ARTICLE III. ABANDONED OR SURPLUS PROPERTY
SECTION 12-17 ABANDONED OR SURPLUS PROPERTY
(A) Surplus Property
The Purchasing Authority shall dispose of all surplus materials or equipment and all personal
property which has been abandoned or remained unclaimed for a period of 30 days after the City
has taken possession of such property by any of the following means:
(1) On a competitive basis by informal quotation;
(2) By public auction such as Osh-Buy;
(3) By converting such property to City use;
(4) Where the property has no apparent value, by disposal of such property by any appropriate
means.
(5) Where the property is liquor, fermented malt beverages or contraband, by destruction of
such property by any appropriate means.
The Purchasing Authority, or the Oshkosh Police Department in the case of abandoned property
held in its custody, shall maintain as a public record for a period of not less than 2 years from the
date of disposal, an inventory of the abandoned or unclaimed personal property, a record of the
date and method of disposal including the consideration, if any received, for the property and the
name and address of the person taking possession of the personal property.
(B) Flammable Property
(1) The Purchasing Authority or designee may safely dispose of abandoned or unclaimed
flammable, explosive or incendiary substance, materials or devices posing a danger to life or
property in their storage, transportation, or use immediately after taking possession of the
substances, materials or devices without a public auction, in consultation with appropriate
authorities.
(2) If such items do not pose an immediate danger and have commercial value in the normal
business usage, or if such items appear to be or are reported stolen, the Purchasing
Authority or designee shall attempt to return such items to the rightful owner if ownership
can be determined; if such attempt is not successful or ownership cannot be determined, the
Purchasing Authority or designee shall dispose of such items as provided in subparagraph
(1) of this subsection.