A Guide to Procurement

The City of New Orleans Department of Finance Purchasing Bureau releases Invitations to Bid (ITB or Bids) for all purchases of materials, supplies, equipment, non-professional services, and construction and public works projects based upon various dollar thresholds. City Charter requires all purchases be competitively bid, except professional services.

Professional services are obtained through the release of Request for Proposals or Request for Qualifications (RFP or RFQ). RFP’s are issued by individual departments according to Executive Order 08-06, a copy of which is included at the end of this document.

All ITB’s and RFP’s are issued online at: www.cityofno.com, select City Purchasing Portal or you may select City Information – Bids and Proposals or by going directly to the Purchasing Portal at http://purchasing.cityofno.com/bso/login.jsp.  

Procurement by Competitive Bid: Pursuant to Charter Sect. 6-308(5), the City will procure movables and services by competitive bid, with the transaction completed with or the contract awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. The competitive bid requirement applies to all means, including purchases, leases, lease-purchases, exchanges, and otherwise, by which the City obtains needed movables and non-professional services. No threshold or exemption amounts apply.

Committed Funding: Pursuant to City Code Sect. 70-421, VENDORS WILL NOT ORDER, REQUEST, OR RECEIVE ANY MOVABLE PROPERTY OR SERVICE WITHOUT FUNDING COMMITTED IN ADVANCE BY SIGNED PURCHASE ORDER ISSUED BY THE PURCHASING BUREAU. SUCH UNFUNDED TRANSACTIONS ARE UNLAWFUL...

CITYWIDE PURCHASING REQUIREMENTS

INVITATIONS TO BID (ITB OR BID)

Equipment, Materials, Supplies, Non-Professional services, Construction and Public Works are obtained by competitive bid and awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Movables include materials, supplies, equipment, vehicles, software, communications devices and systems, unattached fixtures, and similar items. Non-professional services include services such as janitorial, equipment repair, temporary personnel, cleaning services, etc. Construction services and public work means the erection, construction, alteration, improvement, or repair of any public facility or immovable property owned, used, or leased by a public entity.


Use The Table Below As A Quick Guide To Procurement:

AN APPROVED PURCHASE ORDER IS MANDATED PRIOR TO ORDERING OR PURCHASING

A responsive bid is a bid submitted according to bid instructions. Responsive bids compete on an equal basis with other complying bids. They enable a fair and equal price comparison.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

RFP’S ARE ADMINISTERED BY THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Professional services solicitations are requested by departments, agencies and boards. The Purchasing Bureau places RFP’s online and advertises RFP’s and issues purchase orders once all legal requirements are met and contracts are signed. The definition of professional services and procedure is provided in Executive Order 08-06, a copy of which is provided under Forms, Policies and Procedures.

Quick guide to RFP’s