HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION NO. 2024-25RESOLUTION NO. 2024-25
A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASING POLICY
WHEREAS, the City of Fairfax, Iowa has a purchasing policy; and
WHEREAS, some revisions are being proposed to the purchasing policy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Ciry Counci] of the City of Fairfax,
Fairfax, Iowa, that they adopt the attached revised purchasing policy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Fairfax City Council of the City of Fairfax, Iowa,
that the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby directed to certify this resolution of approval.
Passed and approved this 9th day of April, 2024.
AYES: Nui��e, Daly, Wozniak, Volk, and Wainwright
NAYS: None
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Jo Ann Beer, Mayor
ATTEST:
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C nthia K. Stimson, City Clerk/Treasurer
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CITY OF FAIRFAX
PURCHASING POLICY
As Revised 04-09-2024
The City of Fairfax needs to purchase items required to conduct the City's
business. It is the intent to buy inaterials, supplies, and services of high quality at a
reasonable cost. All pw�chasing actions by the City should be faii-, impartial, and
free fi-om impropl�iety or the appeaiance of impropiiety. All qualified buyers and
sellers shall lzave access to compete for City business, and no reasonable offer shall
be arbitrarily excluded.
2. According the Iowa Code, Chapter 73.1, preference will be given to products and
provisions grown and produced within the State of Iowa.
Fairfax based companies will also be given preference for services; products; and
provisions delivered, grown, and produced within Fairfax.
3. All purchases of, and contracts for, supplies and contractual seivices, for an
estimated cost of $10,000 or more, except as specifically provided herein, shall be
based whenever possible on competitive bids. Utilization of any State or Federal
bid contracts satisfies the competitive bidding requirements. The City may
consider life cycle costing analysis, and may give weight to the value of standard
facilities and equipment, in selecting a vendor.
Exceptions to the competitive sealed bidding requirements include: items valued
under $10,000, professional services, and emergency purchases. Professional
services shall be those services provided by a person with an advanced/specialized
degree, such as a CPA, lawyer, architect, engineer, actuary, or in some cases a
highly specialized consultant.
Any project or purchase that is above the competitive bid or quote thresholds as set
by the State of Iowa shall follow all applicable 1aws.
4. Under Iowa Law, the City of Fairfax is exempt from tax in the case of sales of
articles purchased for the City's exclusive use. The City is not exempt from
hotel/motel taxes.
5. A W-9 is required from any non-incoiporated vendor.
6. Role of the City Council:
The City Council sets the annual budget for all City of Fairfax operations.
The City Council gives foi-inal approval to any City policy.
The City Council gives pay authoi�ization by approving the monthly claims list.
The City Council must authorize the City of Faii-fax to enter into any contract.
This could be a contract to purchase goods or services. If a contract is approved,
any expenses under the contract provisions do not require purchase orders.
The City Council must approve any pul-chase or project thar is above the
competitive bid or quote thresholds as set by the State of Iowa.
7. Role of the Libraiy Board of Trustees:
Although the City Council sets the total budget amount for the Failfax Public
Library, the Library Board of Trustees has the right to determine how to spend that
budget amount.
The Library Board must approve all library expenditures. Those approved
expenditures are then placed the on City Council's claims list for publication. The
City Council does not have the legal right to disapprove payment for an expense
the Library Board of Trustees has approved, unless it is found to exceed the
library's budget or violate any law.
8. Role of the Mayor:
The Mayor has the ability to make needed purchases for budgetary purposes,
following all City of Fairfax policies.
The Mayor is the supervisor for all employees. As such, the mayor has the ability
to authorize employees to make needed purchases for budgetary purposes,
following all City of Fairfax policies.
9. Role of Department Heads:
The Building Administrator, the City ClerklTreasurer, the Parks and Recreation
Director, the Fire Chief, the Library Director, the Public Works Supervisor, and the
Water/Sewer Supervisor are all considered department heads for the City of
Fairfax.
The departrnent head inay autllorize or make purchases under $2,000.00 after
detern�ining need, verifying available budget and cash, and determirling which
general ledger line will be charged. All supporting paperwork available fi-om the
purchase shall be turned into Fairfax City Hall and marked with infol-mation so the
staff can process payment.
The de�partment must approve personal funds Reimburseinent Forms fi-om tlleir
employees.
The department head completes and submits Purchase Orders as outlined in this
policy.
lO.Purchase Orders:
The following is a chart to show what is required at each level of total costs. Total
cost includes shipping/handling fees and transportation surcharges.
$2,001 -$2,999 Purchase Order required before purchase
$3,000 —$4,999 Three verbal quotes submitted with a PO before purchase
$5,000 -$9,999 Three written quotes submitted with a PO before purchase
$10,000+ Competitive bids apploved by City Council before purchase
The department head prepares a Fairfax Purchase Order for purchases over
$2,000.00. The purchase order shall identify the vendor, item, estimated cost,
shipping address, the department's line-item account which will be used to pay for
the item, and any other needed information. Any supporting paperwork, such has
bids, shall be submitted to the City Clerk/Treasurer along with the purchase order.
The City Clerk/Treasurer will give the PO a unique number, verify the general
ledger line for payment, budget availability, available cash, and if a PO is required
for this purchase.
The City Clerk/Treasurer will then submit the PO to the Mayor or President of the
Library Board of Trustees for approval or denial and signature.
After action, a copy of the PO shall be forwarded back to the department head.
The following iten�s do not require a PO regardless of dollal- alnount:
• Insured accident losses that have been reported to t11e City's insurance
con�pany
• EqUipment repairs that are unscheduled (ie: sudden powertrain
failure). Staff should use known City vendors that routinely handle
similar repairs.
• Annually bid items for which the price is honored for the i-emainder of
the year. A PO is not required for each subsequent purchase but the
date of o1-iginal bid and/oi approval should be noted on subsequent
invoices. (An example would be water department chemicals.)
• Contractual costs that have already been approved by the City
Council.
� • Monthly expenses for the City of Fairfax utilities.
• Routine deliveiy of supplies such as fuel.
11.If an employee makes a purchase with their personal funds, they may complete a
Reimbursement Foi-m to request financial reimbursement. The department head
must approve the reimbursement form. The date, vendor, reason for purchase,
amount, and general ledger line item should be noted on a signed Reimbursement
Form before turning it in to Fairfax City Hall.
12.This policy may be circumvented if a situation arises that meets any of the
following emergency procurement conditions:
1. The situation threatens public health, welfare, or safety.
2. The department must act to preserve critical services or programs.
3. The need is a result of events or circumstances not reasonable
foreseeable.
In the event that any of these situations occur, purchases of emergency need items
can be made without approvals required by this policy. At the conclusion of the
situations, formal documentation will be required by staff participating in the event
to outline the occui-rence and justify the expenditures made under the emetgency
exemption. The documentation will be presented to City Council for review and
approval after the fact.
13. The following is added as directed by FEMA:
UNDER FEDERAL GRANTS
For fedei-ally funded procurenlent actions, where federal requirements conflict with
the City of Fairfax Pw-chasing Policy the federal requirement, 01- most resttictive
requirement will be followed.
The City of Fairfax must conduct procurements in a manner that prohibits the use of
statutorily or administratively imposed state, local, or tribal geographical
pt-eferences in the evaluation of bids or proposals. 200.319(b)
METHODS OF PROCUREMENT
Procurement under grants shall be made by one of the following methods, as
described heiein: (a) small purchase procedu�-es; (b) sealed bids (formal
advertising); (c) competitive proposals; (d) noncompetitive proposals.
A. Micro-Purchase Procedures 200.320(a)
i. The acquisition of supplies or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which does
not exceed the micro-purchase threshold -$10,000 (200.67)
ii. To the extent practicable, must distribute micro-purchases equitably among
qualified suppliers
iii. May be awarded without soliciting competitive quotations if the non-Federal entity
considers the price to be reasonable
B. Small Purchase Procedures 200.320(b)
i. Are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing se�vices,
supplies, or other property that does not cost more than the simplified acquisition
threshold - $250,000 (200.88).
ii. Price or rate quotations are to be obtained from an "adequate number" of qualified
sources
C. Sealed Bidding (foi-mal advertising) 200.320(c)
i. Lowest priced, responsive, responsible, bidder WINS
ii. The preferred method for construction when sealed bidding is "feasible", which is
when certain conditions are present
iii. Bids must be solicited from an "adequate number of known suppliers", providing
them sufficient response time before date for the opening of bids
iv. Bids will be opened at the time and place prescribed in the invitation for bids
v. Must publicly advertise the invitation for bids
vi. Bids must be opened publicly
vii. Other procedut-al requii-ements at 200.320(c) (2)
D. Competitive Proposals 200320(d)
i. Used when conditions are not appropriate for the use of sealed bids
ii. The appropriate method when lnore than one source is expected to submit an offer
and either a fixed-price or cost-rein�bursement type contract is awarded
iii. Awards will be made to the responsible firm whose proposal is most advantageous
to the pi-ogram, with p��ice and other factors considered
iv. Requests for proposals mztst be publicized and identify all evaluation factors and
their relative importance
v. Proposals must be solicited fi-on1 an adequate number of qualified sources
vi. Must have wi-itten method for conducting technical evaluations of the pioposals
received and fo1- selection of the connact
E. Noncompetitive Proposals 200.320(� �
i. Piocurement through solicitation of a pl-oposal from only one source and may be
used only when one or more of the following circumstances apply:
a. One Source: the itetn is available only fi-om a single source
b. Exigency/Emergency: an exigency or emergency will not permit a delay resulting
from competitive solicitation
c. Awarding Agency Approval: the Fedeial awarding agency or pass-through entity
expressly authorizes noncompetitive proposals in response to a written request
from the non-Federal entity
d. Inadequate Competition: after the solicitation of a number of sources, competition
is determined inadequate
CONTRACTING WITH SMALL AND MINORITY BUSINESSES, WOMEN'S
BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, AND LABOR SURPLUS AREA FIRMS (200.321)
A. Assuring that small and minority businesses, and women's business enterprises are
solicited whenever they are potential sources;
B. Placing qualified small and minority businesses and women's business enterprises
on solicitation lists;
C. Dividing total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or
quantities to permit maximum participation by small and minority businesses, and
women's business enterprises;
D. Establishing delivery schedules, where the requirement permits, which encourage
participation by small and ininority businesses, and women's business entetprises;
E. Using the services and assistance, as appropriate, of sucli organizations as the Small
Business Administl-ation and the Minority Business Development Agency of the
Department of Commerce; and
F. Requiring the prime contractor, if subcontracts are to be let, to take the affirmative
steps listed in paragraphs (a) through (e).
CONTRACT PRICING (200.323)
A. The cost plus a percentage of cost and percentage of construction cost method of
contracting shall not be used.
B. City of Fairfax shall perfornl some fornl of cost/price analysis for every
procurement action, including contract n�odifications, amendments, or change
orders. City of Fairfax shall make an independent estitnate prior to i�eceiving a bid
or proposal. City of Fairfax shall negotiate profit as a separate element of the price
for each contract in which there is no price competition and in all cases where cost
analysis is perfonned. In determining a fair and reasonable profit, City of Fairfax
must consider the complexity of the work to be performed, the risk bo�ne by the
contractor, the contractor's investment, the amount of subcontracting, the quality
of its record of past pezfo�-�nance and the industry profit rates in the surrounding
geographical area.
PROCURElVIENT RECORDS
City of Fairfax shall maintain records sufficient to detail the significant history of a
procurement, including the rationale for the method of procurement, selection of
contract type, contractor selection oi- rejection, and the basis for the contract piice.
(200.324)
(a) City of Fairfax must make available, upon request of the Federal awarding agency
or pass through entity, technical specifications on proposed procurements where
the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity believes such review is needed
to ensure that the item or service specified is the one being proposed for
acquisition.
(b) City of Fairfax must make available upon request, for the Federal awarding agency
or pass through entity pre-procurement review, procurement documents, such as
requests for proposals or invitations for bids, or independent cost estimates, when:
(1) City of Fairfax procurement procedures or operation fails to comply with the
procurement standards in this part,
(2) The procurement is expected to exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and
is to be awarded without competition or only one bid or offer is received in
response to a solicitation;
(3) The procurement, which is expected to exceed the Simplified Acquisition
Threshold, specifies a"brand name" product;
(4) The proposed contract is more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and is to
be awarded to other than the apparent low bidder under a sealed bid procurement;
or
(5) A proposed contract modification changes the scope of a contract or increases the
contract amount by more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold.
(c) City of Fairfax is exelnpt fi-om th� pre-procw-ement review in paragraph (b) of this
section if the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity determines that its
pi�ocurement systems comply with the standards of this Pai�t.
(1) City of Fairfax inay request that its procuT-enlent systeln be 1-eviewed by the
Federal awarding agency or pass-thi-ough entity to determine whether its system
meets these standards in order for its system to be certified. Generally, these
reviews must occur where tl�ere is continuous high-dollar funding, and thiid pai-ty
contracts are awarded on a regular basis;
(2) City of Fairfax may self-cei�tify its procurement system. Such self certification
must not limit the Federal awardirlg agency's right to survey the system. Under a
self-certification procedure, the Federal awarding agency may rely on written
assurances from City of Fairfax that it is complying with these standards. City of
Fairfax must cite specific policies, procedures, reg�ulations, or standards as being in
compliance with these requirements and have its system available for review.
AWARDED CONTRACTS
A. City of Fairfax will not award a contract to a party listed as debarred, suspended, or
otherwise excluded in the System for Award Management (SAM). www.sam.gov
(200.213)
B. Contracts awarded shall contain the applicable contract provisions described in 2
CFR
200.36 And Appendix II to Part 200.
C. City of Fairfax will maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of
interest and must provide for disciplinazy action to be applied for violations of such
standards as defined in 2 CFR 200.318 (c) (1). No officer, employee, or agent of
the City of Fairfax shall participate in the selection, award, or administration of a
contract supported by federal grant funds, if a conflict of interest, real or apparent,
would be involved. Such a conflict would arise when: The employee, officer, or
agent: Any member of his/hei- immediate family; His/her partner; or an
organization which employs, or is about to employ any of the above; has a
financial or other interest in the firm selected for award. City of Fairfax officers,
employees, or agents shall neithel- solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything
of monetary value from contractors, potential contractors, or subcontractors. To the
extent permitted by federal, state, or local law or regulations, violation of these
standards may cause penalties, sanctions, or other disciplinary actions to be taken
against the City of Fairfax's officei-s, employees, or agents.