Purchasing Officer Karen T. Barnett CPPB, CFO
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Procurement Mission
To provide centralized, value based, efficient purchasing services to all County departments or the procurement of materials, equipment and services of the best quality and price, from the right source, and at the right time.
To ensure purchasing policies and procedures are followed to maintain consistency in procurement practices and in compliance with Federal, State and Local laws and regulations.
To promote a competitive, fair, and impartial environment throughout the vendor community.
Doing Business with Oconee County
Thank you for your interest in Oconee County! Our goal is to maximize competition in all of our procurement activities and to promote competition in an open and fair environment.
Oconee County does not currently maintain a Bidder's List; however, we encourage vendors to complete the Vendor Application available online. Applications are kept on file for one year and are distributed to the Department Directors who may choose to solicit you directly as procurement opportunities arise.
Vendor Applications are also used for Bid Solicitations. If you are interested in a particular bid, please note that on your application. You can find out about our bidding opportunities by visiting the "Bids & RFPs" page on this web site. There is also a bid board that is open to public inspection located in the Finance Department in the Oconee County Courthouse at 23 N. Main Street, Watkinsville, GA 30677.
How Does Oconee County Buy?
Oconee County Procurement Services buys almost exclusively through a competitive process. The techniques and procedures vary depending on the nature of the materials or services to be purchased, however all procedures for these purchases are designed to encourage maximum competition. Where estimated costs are below $10,000, bids may consist of telephone or written quotations. Where estimated costs are $10,000 and over, sealed bids are solicited. Specific forms are supplied and must be used and signed. Bids are due at a specified time and place, date stamped, and the bids are opened publicly.
To become a qualified vendor for Oconee County, a Vendor Application and W-9 must be completed and submitted along with a copy of your company's Certificate of Insurance and current Business License to the Purchasing Office. It is recommended that all interested vendors attach brochures, business cards, or other information that might highlight their product or service. Once your application is on file, Department Directors may call you for a product or service quote. Should you have the low quote, then the Finance Department will contact you for any additional vendor information, if needed, to complete you're your vendor approval process. Once approved, you are assigned a vendor number and ready to do business with Oconee County! Should you have any further questions about how to do business with Oconee County, please make an appointment with the Procurement Officer.
What We Need and Expect from Our Suppliers
- Dependable products, service, and delivery
- Service work completed on schedule
- Competitive pricing
- Good communication with buyers to keep them informed on new products and changes within the suppliers or contractors' organizations
- Suggestions for substituting products or material of equal performance to reduce cost
- Settlement of warranty claims on a timely basis
What Does Oconee County Buy?
The County is responsible for:
- Maintenance of buildings and facilities which require janitorial supplies and equipment, plumbing and electrical products, lights and controls, HVAC equipment, office machines and supplies, and filing, printing and mailing equipment;
- Offices which require furniture, computers and related equipment, telecommunications equipment, office machines and supplies, and filing and printing;
- Institutions which require personal and professional services, laboratory, and medical supplies and equipment, clothing, bedding, food and food processing items;
- Parks and grounds which require landscape maintenance equipment, fencing, seed, plantings, and fertilizer;
- Car and truck fleets which require fuel and lubricants, replacement parts, tires, batteries, and body and engine services;
- Roads and highways which require road materials, signs, markers and heavy equipment;
- Law enforcement and public safety operations which require communications equipment, firearms and ammunition, fire apparatus, rescue equipment, forensic investigation supplies, emergency medical and safety supplies;
- Design and construction of buildings, roads, and facilities which require architectural, engineering and environmental services, and construction services.
Local Vendor Preference:
Except for matters required to be bid by state law, including, without limitation, public works contracts and materials, any purchase or contract of under $100,000 that is put out to bid under the provisions of Oconee County Policy may be awarded to a local vendor in the case of equivalent bids. In cases in which a bid by a local vendor is within 5% of the lowest overall bid supplied by a non-local vendor, the administration of Oconee County is authorized to negotiate with said local bidder to match the lowest bid supplied by a non-local vendor. Negotiation is limited to purchases and contracts up to $100,000 and is not authorized in situations where state or federal laws do not allow vendor preferences. In the event a local bidder matches the lowest bid, including all other terms, quality and conditions of the bid, then the local vendor may be awarded the contract. In the event the bids of more than one local vendor are within 5% of the lowest overall bid of a non-local vendor, the local vendor with the lowest bid price will be given the first opportunity to match the lowest overall bid. If this local vendor declines to match said bid then the vendors with the next lowest bid within 5% will be given the opportunity to match the lowest bid. This process will continue with all local vendors having bids within 5% of the lowest overall bid by a non-local vendor.
