3. Competitive bidding must be solicited for rental of
equipment estimated to be more than $60,000. (Minn. Stat. §
471.345, subd. 5a).
The estimated contract price is determined to be over the dollar
limitations set forth above if the individual contract price to be
paid or received is over the amount. In multi-year contracts the
estimated contract price is determined to be over the dollar
limitations set forth above if the total contract amount is over the
limitations [i.e., do not divide into a per year amount].
See also Minn. Stat. § 465.71 for installment and
lease purchases.
1. Contracts estimated from $10,000 to $15,000 may be
$10,000 to $35,000 for municipalities of less than 2,500
population; $50,000 for all others. If the amount of the contract is
estimated to exceed $10,000 but not to exceed $35,000 for
municipalities of less than 2,500 population, or $50,000 for all
others may be competitively bid or handled by direct negotiation
if:
a. Two or more price quotations are obtained when possible;
and
b. all quotations are kept for one year after
receipt. (Minn. Stat. § 471.345, subd. 4.)
2. Contracts estimated at less than $10,000 may, in the
discretion of the governing body, be:
a. Based on two or more quotations, if practicable, which
shall be kept on file for a period of at least one year after their
receipt;
b. Made in the open marketplace. (Minn. Stat. § 471.345,
subd. 5.)
3. Emergencies:
a. Minn. Stat. § 375.21 excepts from bidding, repairs for
destruction of roads or bridges by floods, rain, snow or other
casualty or from the breaking or damaging of any property in the
county if the public health, safety or welfare would suffer by
delay; and the action of the board is recorded in its official
proceedings.
b. Minn. Stat. § 375.22 provides that bidding is not
required in case of an emergency arising from:
Breakage, damage or decay in county property that cannot be
allowed to wait for the time required to advertise for bid if the
work is authorized by a majority of the board of county
commissioners and the action is ratified and recorded in the
official proceedings of the board.
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