City of San Antonio
Purchasing & Contract Services
 

Bidding Procedures

The following are general procedures for the Purchasing & Contract Services Department:

Informal Bids

• All purchases shall be authorized by a purchase order prepared by the Purchasing Director or a representative based on the request and needs of each City department.
• Purchases costing $3,000 or less may be made by the requesting Department Head or a representative without competitive bids and without a purchase order.
• Purchases less than $25,000, but more than $3,000 will be made only after quotes are received.  Award will be made to the lowest responsible bidder meeting specifications.
• Quotations may be submitted by mail or in person to the Purchasing Department prior to the opening date.

Formal Bids

• Purchases more than $50,000 require a formal bidding process.
• Public notice will be given for a period of fourteen to thirty days.
• All bid openings are public.  You or your representative are  welcome to attend all openings.
• Formal sealed bids are accepted  in the City Clerk's office no later than 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on holidays.
• After the opening of bids, tabulations and recommendations of the Purchasing Director will be forwarded to City Council through the City Manager.
• City Council will approve the contract of the lowest responsible bidder conforming specifications.

Bid Tabulations

Once the bid has been tabulated, you may access the COSA Purchasing website to download a draft copy of the tabulation.