Purchasing provides City Departments with a centralized source for pricing, quotations, order placement, vendor contact, and established vendors for cost savings on quality goods and services.

It is the goal of the Purchasing Department to consider the total cost of a product or service through its life cycle, its impact on the environment, and our customer's usage requirements. We strive to establish long-term relationships where feasible and to foster constant improvement of services from our vendors.

In accordance with the City of Aspen's Procurement Code (see section 4) contracts are awarded through one of the following methods:

• Competitive Sealed Bids
• Competitive Sealed Proposals
• Negotiated procurement.

Contracts under $5,000 require only Department Head approval.

Contracts over $5,000 require City Manager approval. They do not require competitive bids but require documentation of source selection process.

Contracts over $10,000 require City Attorney and City Manager approval. Competitive bidding process is required.

Contracts over $25,000 require City Council approval and require competitive bidding.