Local Preference

Policy 

It shall be the policy of the City that vendors located in the City of Palatka and then Putnam County shall be given preference in the procurement process unless otherwise prohibited or waived by the City Manager. The City strives to use local vendors whenever practicable and possible. The Local Bidder (must meet the definition below) shall be entitled to match the lowest qualified bid and be considered the lowest bidder by giving written notice to that effect to the City by 3:00 p.m. on the third business day after the bid opening. 

Definition 

The term City Vendor or Putnam County Vendor means any business: 

1.    Having a physical location within the boundaries of the City of Palatka or Putnam County for at least 12 months immediately prior to the issuance of the request for Quotes, Bids or Proposals;

2.    Holding any business licenses required by the City, if applicable, and

3.    Employing at least one full-time employee or two part-time employees whose primary residence is in the City of Palatka or Putnam County. If the business has no employees, the business shall be at least fifty percent owned by one or more persons whose primary residence is in the City of Palatka or Putnam County.

Notice 

Any procurement for purchases over $25,000.01 or more by the City to which the provisions of this section are being applied shall contain a statement that a local preference will be used in the evaluation ·and award of that purchase. When local preference will apply, it is the vendor's responsibility to request Local Preference by submitting a completed Local Preference Affidavit with its sealed bid or proposal indicating if they are selecting City of Palatka Local Preference or Putnam County Local Preference. 

For City purchases $25,000.00 or less, it is the vendor's responsibility to request Local Preference by submitting a completed Local Preference Affidavit with its sealed bid or proposal indicating if they are selecting City of Palatka Local Preference or Putnam Cou1ty Local Preference. 

Affidavit Certification 

Any vendor claiming to be a City of Palatka Vendor or Putnam County Vendor shall deliver a written affidavit to the City of Palatka General Services Department. The General Services Department shall verify the accuracy of any such affidavit when determining whether a vendor meets the definition of a City of Palatka Vendor or Putnam County Vendor. The affidavit shall certify that the business meets the definition of a City of Palatka Vendor or Putnam County Vendor , shall provide all necessary information establishing that fact, and shall be signed under penalties of perjury. It is the responsibility of any vendor claiming to be a City of Palatka Vendor or Putnam County Vendor to include a copy of its affidavit with its quote, bid, or proposal. Failure to submit shall constitute a waiver of the vendor's ability to exercise Local Preference in the procurement. 

Exceptions to Local Preference Policy 

1.    The procurement preference set forth in this policy shall not apply to any of the following:

a.    Purchases or contracts which are funded, in whole or part, by assistance of any federal, state, or local agency that disallows local preference.

b.    Purchases or contracts that are funded, in whole or part, by a governmental entity and the laws, regulations or policies governing such funding prohibit application of local preference.

c.    Goods or services purchased under a cooperative purchasing agreement, state contract or interlocal agreement.

d.    Contracts for professional services, procurement of which is subject to the Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act {CCNA) or subject to any competitive consultant selection policy or procedure adopted or utilized by the City Commission.

e.    Purchases made or contracts let under emergencies or retainer agreements for legal services.

2.    Application of local preference to a particular purchase may be waived upcn written justification to and approval by the City Manager.

3.    The local preference established in this policy does not prohibit or lessen the right of the City Commission or City staff to compare quality or fitness for use of supplies, materials, equipment, and services proposed for purchase and to compare qualifications, character, responsibility, and fitness of all persons and vendors submitting Quotes, Bids or Proposals.

4.    The local preference established in this policy does not prohibit the City Commission from giving any other preference permitted by law, in addition to the local preference authorized in this policy.