§ 2-303. Waiver of competitive bidding by city council.

(1)

Waiver of competitive bidding by city council. Contrary provisions of this division notwithstanding, when the city council shall determine that no advantage to the city would result from competitive bidding, the provisions of this division requiring such bidding need not be complied with; provided, that all purchases, in any event, shall be evidenced by a written purchase order or sales memorandum.

(2)

Local preference. In the purchase of supplies, materials, equipment, services or construction work the purchasing officer or city council may give preference to a local bidder or if the bids are substantially the same, or not more than five percent apart. The highest preference local bidder or locally-produced product preference will be given to entities whose headquarters are within the City of Ypsilanti; next highest will be those in 48197 or 48198 zip codes; next highest will be Washtenaw County, and next highest will be Michigan.

(3)

Local bidder means a bidder with headquarters or owner physically located in the jurisdiction or geography (City of Ypsilanti, 48197/48198 zip codes, Washtenaw County, Michigan) specified in subsection (2) for more than 12 months prior to the bid. Consideration will also be made to those companies that employ or plan to recruit/hire City of Ypsilanti residents. RFPs shall standardly ask about ownership and local employment in order for bid reviewers to determine qualification under this preference.

(4)

Locally-produced product means a product that is made, grown, or processed in the geography as specified in subsection (2).

(5)

Environmental preference. To the extent practicable and economically feasible, preference shall be given to companies whose operations or products and services conserve natural resources, protect the environment, are energy efficient, or prioritize renewables. RFPs shall standardly give the opportunity for bidders to state their environmental practices.

(Code 1983, § 1.258; Ord. No. 1097, § 1, 6-16-2009; Ord. No. 1299, § 1, 1-9-2018)