Except as otherwise provided in this article all purchases and contracts for goods
under this article shall be based on competitive bids as mandated by county, state,
or federal law.
(b)
The purchasing agent may authorize and make use of cooperative purchasing to satisfy
competition requirements under this section so long as the cooperative agreement to
be used was procured through full and open competition within the past three years.
(c)
When permitted by state and/or federal law the purchasing agent may waive competition
where there are limitations on the source or supply, necessary restrictions in specifications,
or other valid reasons provided that a full record of the circumstances is made and
the expenditure does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars. Where the expenditure
would or could exceed twenty-five thousand dollars competition may be waived only
after approval by the board of supervisors.
