Mission Statement
The Office of Purchasing was established to administer the Town's purchasing policies. The Office has continued to expand as the file and records maintenance library for any purchasing related documents (e.g. bidding records, contracts, checklists, bonds, certificates of insurance).
Purchasing
- Schedule, coordinate and administer bid openings for all departments. Retain possession and control of all applicable bid documents. Address and resolve any bid-related issues that occur.
- Assure compliance with the RI State purchasing regulations (Award of Municipal Contracts), as well as the Town's Purchasing Code, Ordinance, and Manual.
- Report to all interested parties any deviation, irregularity, or procedural abnormalities associated with bid processing and recommend corrective action including the voiding of bids.
- Assume control of and responsibility for all bid bonds. Return bid bonds via mail at conclusion of their intended purpose. Verify RI State acceptance of said bonds.
- Write, edit and coordinate any revisions to the Town's Purchasing Code, Ordinance or Manual.
- Administer the Town's "Pre-bid and Contract Review Checklists" and associated documentation, assuring compliance with Federal and State laws and regulations and the Town's internal operating procedures.
- Process all phases of the bidding procedure and award of bid associated with goods and services common to multiple departments (e.g. gasoline, fuels, office supplies, communications, etc.).
- Coordinate like-purchases for all Town departments in order to obtain volume discounts.
- Review and approve all purchase orders, examining work for exactness, neatness, pricing and compliance with policies and procedures.
- Utilize the Rhode Island Vendor Information Program for the procurement of goods and services and convey state bid information for materials and supplies to user departments.