How the City Buys

  1. News and Announcements (2)

    Schedule Adjustments for Good Friday

    The City of Alcoa will make no adjustments to the collection of residential solid waste, residential recyclables, or commercial / industrial solid waste for the Good Friday holiday on April 7. Read on...
  2. News and Announcements (1)

    Herbicide Treatment Scheduled for Proffitt Springs and Blockhouse Substations

    The City of Alcoa Electric Department (AED) announces a project set to begin on Monday, April 3, and finish in three weeks for herbicide treatment of invasive and overgrown species on circuits out of Proffitt Springs and Blockhouse Substations. Read on...
  3. Fire Announcement (2)

    Alcoa Fire Department is Awarded International Reaccreditation Status

    For the third consecutive cycle, the Alcoa Fire Department in Alcoa, Tennessee has received Accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). Read on...
  4. News and Announcements (2)

    Medicare Advantage and Utility Payments

    Some Medicare Advantage plans recently broadened the scope of benefits offered to include eligible utility payments. These forms of payment have limited processing options and currently cannot be processed in person. Read on...
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Purchases of $25,000 or less are made on the open market. Whenever possible, these purchases are based on informal quotations, as follows:
  1. Purchases up to $2,500: A single "Best Quote" is obtained with most purchases delegated to responsible employees that employ the City "P" Card authority.
  2. Purchases over $2,500 and up to $10,000: Quotes are obtained from at least three suppliers. Quotations may be solicited by mail, telephone, fax or personal visits by salespersons.
  3. Purchases for more than $10,000 require a formal Solicitation on the part of the City. Such purchases of supplies, goods, equipment and contractual services (except as otherwise provided in the City Code) are purchased on the basis of formal, competitive, sealed bids which are issued in accordance with the terms of the Solicitation or Invitation. Solicitations may take the form of RFPs, RFBs, RFIs or a less formal RFQ or any other industry accepted form of Solicitation.
A minimum of three vendors must comprise any Solicitation above the $2,500 threshold. The City Manager or his designee may, in case of emergency, waive competitive bidding requirements and direct the Purchasing Agent to purchase directly those goods or services whose immediate procurement is essential to the life, health, welfare, safety or convenience of the City.