In all other cases where a response was received, bid limits are established in the Municipal Code or in Administrative Guidelines. Advertising and Outreach Increasing the bid limit threshold will not diminish the competitive environment or basic requirements and standards of the public procurement process. Competitive pricing will be solicited through the most cost effective manner such as electronic, telephone or fax quotations for these lower dollar acquisitions. Timeliness and efficiency will be increased by being able to acquire a piece of equipment when the client department needs it. The Purchasing Division maintains a vendor data base of companies wishing to compete for the city s business organized by commodity.
Vendors can request to be listed on the vendor pool data base.
The addition of advertising electronically as an alternative to local newspaper is intended to make it more consistent with private industry business practices and vendor expectations. This will also increase the vendor pool thereby reducing cost of goods. The experience of the Purchasing Division over the last year with posting bids on the Internet is that it has increased vendor participation and competition. The City s BidLine internet site averages greater than 30,000 visits each month. Experience has demonstrated that this means of advertising is more effective in reaching a greater number of potential bidders, less time consuming and less costly than newspaper advertising.