Purchasing

Procurement Contract Purchasing PolicyResponsibilities

The City of El Monte Municipal Code, Section 3.24 establishes a purchasing system, adopted pursuant to Section 54201 et seq. of the California Government Code, for City purchases and contracts (including rentals and leases) in order to provide guidance and direction, ensuring compliance, regarding the procurement of supplies, materials, equipment, and services.

The City utilizes a decentralized procurement process in which the responsibility to determine specifications of goods or services, to solicit proper bids, and to obtain proper approvals has been designated to the Departments. Each Department within this decentralized purchasing process is responsible for the function of procurement of suitable materials, supplies, equipment, and services for their respective Department.

The Purchasing Department exercises positive financial control over those procurements by reviewing all purchases to ensure that awards are provided to firms which provide the lowest possible cost commensurate with the quality needed and professional services based upon demonstrated competence, professional qualifications and suitability for the project in general. This includes the verification of expenditures to confirm that procurements have been appropriately authorized, do not exceed contractual limits, and/or do not exceed authorized amounts. However, it is the responsibility of the Departments to monitor the obligations and/or deliverables for each project and/or contract.

The Purchasing Department maintains City bidder lists and each vendor's catalog file and records needed for the efficient operation of the purchasing office. This includes promoting and maintaining good relations with vendors with the objective of optimizing the price and quality of materials, services and equipment for the benefit of the city.

Purchasing Policy & Procedures

The Purchasing Department is not responsible for public works engineering projects and/or contracts.