OLEAN – The City Council on Tuesday night voted to revamp the city’s laws regarding purchases so the lowest price is not the only determining factor.
Under the city’s new “best value” practice, city officials will be able to decide on vendors through an overall combination of price, quality and other elements.
“The use of the best value standard must rely on objective and quantifiable analysis,” Mayor William Aiello said. “This is going to help us identify those that offer a better product, not just a lower price, for the city.”
There are some exceptions to the rules: regular contracts over $20,000 and public works contracts over $35,000; goods that are purchased from agencies for the blind or severely handicapped; and goods purchased through corrections institutions.
City officials also approved a contract extension for the brownfield remediation work that is under way in the northwestern quadrant of the city. The extension will push the deadline for remediation from Oct. 6, 2014, to Oct. 6, 2015.
“This will give us more time to continue with the plan for the cleanup of the brownfield,” Aiello said.
The 500-acre site, formerly home to tanneries, railroad facilities and oil refinement facilities, is being cleaned up for redevelopment. The extension contract is in accordance with the state Department of State and will need to fully meet the approval of the department before full ratification.
The area is situated along Buffalo Street and Interstate 86. Plans for the redeveloping the site are still being developed, with resident input being sought.
Under the city’s new “best value” practice, city officials will be able to decide on vendors through an overall combination of price, quality and other elements.
“The use of the best value standard must rely on objective and quantifiable analysis,” Mayor William Aiello said. “This is going to help us identify those that offer a better product, not just a lower price, for the city.”
There are some exceptions to the rules: regular contracts over $20,000 and public works contracts over $35,000; goods that are purchased from agencies for the blind or severely handicapped; and goods purchased through corrections institutions.
City officials also approved a contract extension for the brownfield remediation work that is under way in the northwestern quadrant of the city. The extension will push the deadline for remediation from Oct. 6, 2014, to Oct. 6, 2015.
“This will give us more time to continue with the plan for the cleanup of the brownfield,” Aiello said.
The 500-acre site, formerly home to tanneries, railroad facilities and oil refinement facilities, is being cleaned up for redevelopment. The extension contract is in accordance with the state Department of State and will need to fully meet the approval of the department before full ratification.
The area is situated along Buffalo Street and Interstate 86. Plans for the redeveloping the site are still being developed, with resident input being sought.