City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MAY 5, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
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Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Article D (CONTRACT FORMATION AND METHODS OF SOURCE SELECTION): Section 3-3-69 (CONTRACTING FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BY COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION); and Division 1 (COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING), Section 3-3-53 (ACTIONS ON PERFORMANCE BOND), all of Chapter 3 (PURCHASES AND CONTRACTUAL SERVICES) of Title 3 (FINANCE, TAXATION, AND PROCUREMENT), of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
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ISSUE: Consideration of an ordinance to amend and reordain City Code Sections that establish procurement rules and regulations for the City related to multiple construction project awards and surety bonds.
RECOMMENDATION: That City adopt the proposed ordinance Code sections 3-3-69 and 3-3-53 to amend certain of the City Code’s purchasing provisions on first reading and schedule it for second reading, public hearing and adoption on Saturday, May 15, 2021.
DISCUSSION: During the 2020 General Assembly session, a number of changes to the State Code were approved that impact Virginia governmental procurement rules and regulations. The following adjustments should be made to the City Code in order align it with the newly amended State Code. Some changes are simple technical adjustments, modernizations, or minor clarification items whereas others are more substantive and seek to provide additional controls or efficiencies.
The ordinance would amend the City Code to adopt recent General Assembly changes to the Code of Virginia as follows.
1. Multiple construction project awards - City Code § 3-3-69 is proposed to be amended to increase the one-year cost threshold for contracts for architectural or professional engineering services relating to multiple construction project awards from $6 million to $8 million, and
2. Surety Bonds - City Code § 3-3-53 is proposed to be amended to increase the one-year threshold to bring actions against a surety for performance bond issues from one year to five years.
FISCAL IMPACT: A multiple contract award can make a procurement more efficient and timelier and creating more time to take actions against a surety for contractor performance better protects the City, so there is a positive fiscal impact of these proposed code amendments.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Cover sheet
2. Ordinance
STAFF:
Kendel Taylor, Director of Finance
Darryl Jackson, Acting Purchasing Agent, Finance Department
Sarah McElveen, Assistant City Attorney