BC 1990 06 18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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428 number of prospective bidders have been notified and have chosen not to bid. If a number of prospective bidders have been properly notified and have chosen not to bid, the County Manager should inquire about the reasons for the decision not to bid. Construction or Repairs Greater than $50,000 - At least three bids must be obtained. If fewer than three bids are obtained, the bids must be returned unopened and a second advertisement of the proposal must be made. After the second advertisement, the award may be made even though only one bid has been received. pROCEDURE FOR BIDS IN EXCESS OF FUNDS AVAILABLE The Board of County Commissioners may enter into negotiations with the lowest bidder making reasonable changes in the plans and/or specifications as may be necessary to bring the contract price within the funds available, and may award a contract to such bidder (if he or she will agree) to perform the work at the negotiated price and within the amount of funds available. If the above cannot be done, the Board may readvertise on the basis of altered plans and specifications designed to lower the cost. ALL CONTRACTS TO WHICH THIS SECTION APPLIES SHALL BE EXECUTED IN WRITING. PERFORMANCE BOND A performance bond and a laborers' and materialmen's bond for the full amount of the contract must be given for all construction contracts over $15,000 when a project involves two or more contracts whose sum exceeds $50,000. If a construction project involves only a single contract, the performance and laborers' and materialmen's bonds are not required unless the contract exceeds $50,000 (G.S. 44A-26). In place of the bonds, the contractor may deposit money, certified checks, or government securities (G. S. 143-129). The performance bond and the laborers' and materialmen's bond are two different bonds. If money, certified checks, or government securities are used to satisfy both bond requirements, and amount equal to the full contract amount must be deposited for EACH bond. The bond requirements may be waived by the Board of County Commissioners for the purchase of materials, equipment, or supplies. If the official whose duty is to take the performance and payment bonds fails to do so, he or she shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. RECORD OF BIDS The County Manager's Office will keep a record of all bids submitted. record is subject to public inspection at any time. This CONTRACTS REQUIRING INFORMAL BIDS At least two and preferably three informal bids should be obtained for the purchase of equipment and supplies which are estimated to cost from $5,000 to $20,000, and for construction or repair work which is estimated to cost from $5,000 to $50,000. The law does not state that the bids must be in writing, but it does state that a record must be kept of such bids. Although verbal quotations may be obtained and noted, the policy of the County is to obtain written and signed quotations whenever possible. It is the duty of the County Manager's Office to obtain informal bids or to insure that this function is performed. Informal bids may be awarded by the County Manager if funds for the goods or services have been approved by the Board of County Commissioners. A department which wishes to obtain its own informal bids must contact the County Manager before the requests are sent to prospective bidders. GENERAL GUIDELINES AND LIMITATIONS LOW-VALUE PURCHASES Purchases of goods and services less than $5,000 maybe made without soliciting formal or informal bids. A purchase order must be issued for any purchase with an aggregate value of $50.00 or more with the exception of those listed below and the pre-audit certification must be signed by the Finance Director. It is, however, County policy that quotations are to be obtained for purchases under $5,000 whenever possible in order to insure that the County is purchasing all