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encourage geographic preference. <br />9. All solicitations will incorporate a clear and accurate description of the technical requirements for thematerial, <br />product, or service to be procured. Such description will not, in competitive procurements, contain features <br />which unduly restrict competition. The description will include a statement of the qualitative nature of the <br />material, product or service to be procured and, when necessary, will set forth those minimum essential <br />characteristics and standards to which it must conform if it is to satisfy its intended use. Detailed product <br />specifications will be avoided if at all possible. <br />10. The city will make independent estimates of the goods or services being procured before receiving bids or <br />proposals to get an estimate of how much the goods and services are valued in the current market. To <br />accomplish this, after bids and proposals are received, but before awarding a contract, the Cityconducts either a <br />price analysis or a cost analysis, depending on the type of contract, in connection with every procurement with <br />federal funds in excess of $175,000. <br />11. The city takes all necessary affirmative steps to assure that minority businesses and women's business <br />enterprises, and labor surplus area firms are used when possible. To accomplish this, the City uses the following <br />required affirmative steps: <br />• Placing qualified small and minority businesses and women's business enterprises on <br />solicitation lists. <br />• Assuring that small and minoritybusiness, and women's business enterprises are solicited <br />whenever they are potential sources. <br />• Dividing total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities to <br />permit maximum participation by small and minority businesses, and women's business <br />enterprises. <br />• Establishing delivery schedules, where the requirement permits, which encourageparticipation <br />by small and minority businesses, and women's business enterprises. <br />• Using the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the SmallBusiness <br />Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of <br />Commerce. <br />• Requiring the prime contractor, if subcontracts are to be let, to take the affirmative steps listed <br />above. <br />12. Federal methods provide for procurement by micro -purchase. Micro -purchase is a purchase of supplies or <br />services using simplified acquisition procedures, the aggregate amount of which doesnot exceed $3,000. The <br />micro -purchase method is used in order to expedite the completion of its lowest -dollar small purchase <br />transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. <br />13. Small purchase procedures maybe used in those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for <br />securing nonprofessional services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than $175,000. <br />14. Sealed bids ($175,000, formal advertising, price is a major factor). Requirements for sealed bids: <br />• The invitation for bids will be publicly advertised and bids must be selected from anadequate <br />number of known suppliers, providing them sufficient response time prior to the date set for <br />opening the bids. <br />• The invitation for bids, which will include any specifications and pertinent attachments, must <br />define the items or services in order for the bidder to properly respond. <br />• All bids will be publicly opened at the time and place prescribed in the invitation forbid. <br />• A firm fixed price contract award will be made in writing to the lowest responsive and <br />responsible bidder. <br />• Any or all bids may be rejected if there is a sound documented reason. <br />• Competitive proposal (> $175,000, fixed price or cost reimbursement, request forproposal <br />(RFP) with evaluation methods). Requirement for competitive proposal procedures: <br />• Requests for proposals must be publicized requests and identify all evaluation factors andtheir <br />relative importance. <br />Page 5 <br />