AGENDA DATE: 10/10/2018
TITLE:
Title
Amendments to the Albemarle County Purchasing Manual
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolution to amend the County's Purchasing Manual
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Letteri, Kamptner, Farley, Winder
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Albemarle County's Purchasing Manual, as adopted by the Board of Supervisors, governs and guides local government and school purchases in accordance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA).
Following an extensive review of the Manual, staff from the Purchasing Office and the County Attorney's Office are recommending amendments to the Manual to reflect current best practices, to ensure improved regulatory compliance, to increase purchasing efficiency, and to reflect the 2018 General Assembly enacted changes to the VPPA that affect the purchase process of local governments and schools.
These amendments include:
1. An increase to the County's small purchase threshold from $50,000 to $100,000.
2. Clarification and additions to clearly defined limits of procurement authority granted to the County Executive, Deputy County Executive, Department Heads, the School Superintendent, School Chief Operating Officer, School Principals, and to personnel making purchases up to $5,000.
3. Authorization for the delegation of purchase authority up to the small purchase limitation to subordinate staff.
4. Establishment of a requirement for all who initiate or approve purchases to have completed mandatory purchasing training.
5. Adding language to the Manual requiring Contract Administration procedures and responsibilities to be established and followed.
6. Creation of a list of small purchases that are exempted from competitive procurement requirements.
7. An increase to the County's small purchase threshold for procurement of professional services from $50,000 to $80,000 in accordance with the 2018 c...
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