Purchasing

Bidding/RFP Opportunities - To view City of Carson Bids/RFP opportunities, Vendors must Register on Planet Bids through this link: https://pbsystem.planetbids.com/portal/32461/portal-home

PURPOSE

The primary purpose of the Purchasing Division is to promote transparency, equity, and efficiency in the procurement of materials, supplies, equipment, and services required to provide the various services and programs offered by the City.

  AUTHORITY

Article II, Chapter 6 of the Carson Municipal Code provides for the establishment of the position of Purchasing Manager and further describes the rules under which the purchasing function for the City is to be conducted.

Basic Purchasing Requirements of the City of Carson

Pursuant to the Carson Municipal Code most all City purchases are made by purchase order.  Businesses are advised that the delivery of any product or service should not be made without first obtaining a City of Carson purchase order or at the very least a City of Carson purchase order issued by the City's Purchasing Division.

All quotes must be documented in writing. Verbal quotes are not accepted.


For purchases of materials, supplies, or equipment:

  • Purchases of $25,000 or less in a single fiscal year require at least 1 informal quote.
  • Purchases of $25,000-$75,000 in a single fiscal year require at least 3 informal quotes.
  • Purchases of $75,000 or more in a single fiscal year generally require a formal solicitation process. Where applicable, CMC §2611 provides available Exceptions to Bidding Requirements.

For purchases of services, including professional services:

  • Purchases of $5,000 or less in a single fiscal year require at least 1 informal quote.
  • Purchases of $5,000-$25,000 in a single fiscal year require at least 1 informal quote and written contract.
  • Purchases of $25,000-$75,000 in a single fiscal year require at least 3 informal quotes and a written contract.
  • Purchases of $75,000 or more in a single fiscal year generally require a formal solicitation process and a written contract. Where applicable, CMC §2611 provides available Exceptions to Bidding Requirements.
The City's full purchasing guidelines may be found in the Carson Municipal Code, Article II, Chapter 6.

BIDDING/RFP OPPORTUNITIES

The City utilizes Planet Bids for issuance, management, and facilitation of all formal solicitations. To access all formal solicitation opportunities, vendors must register to the City of Carson’s Planet Bids Portal here: https://pbsystem.planetbids.com/portal/32461/portal-home

LOCAL BUSINESS PREFERENCE

Local Business CMC §2601 defines "local business" as a business that can certify that the business:
  1. Has a headquarter, primary or branch office within the City, which was established prior to the City inviting bids for the respective procurement, and
  2. Possesses a current business license and certificate of occupancy, and
  3. Is certified by the State Department of General Services as a Small Business.

If a prospective vendor meets the definition of "local business", the vendor will receive a 5% preference on the bid amount. This preference will only be applicable to contracts of $100,000 or less (CMC §2611.1).


W-9

All vendors in the City’s Financial System are required to have a current W-9 form on file with the Finance Department. A fillable W-9 form can be found here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf

City Hall Contact

701 E Carson Street
Carson, CA 90745
(310) 830-7600, 7 AM - 6 PM
Monday - Thursday
24-hour automated: (310) 952-1700

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