The City of Livermore’s Purchasing Division is part of the Finance Department.

We strive to process and procure items and services in a timely and efficient manner and do our best to make sure the equipment and service is delivered as promised at the Best Value for the City. Our goal at all times is to obtain the best value for the City, attain the maximum value for each tax dollar while meeting the needs of the City departments and divisions.

Goals and Ethics of Purchasing

The goals of the Purchasing Division are:

1. To provide City departments and employees with the highest level of procurement services,
2. Achieve the Best Value for each dollar spent,
3. Provide fair and equal access for vendors interested in doing business with the City.

Ethical Purchasing Standards Policy

As approved under the City's Administrative Regulation #33.0, Ethical Purchasing Standards Policy, by our City Manager;

Public procurement is a public trust. Our policy is to ensure that all purchases are made fairly and openly, without bias, prejudice, or in an arbitrary manner. The City of Livermore requires that all employees adhere to the following ethical guidelines:

Procedures

1. Employees must make purchases objectively, without prejudice or bias. Employees must declare a conflict when an organization is to be selected for contract award that employs him or her, is about to employ him or her, or his or her family member or partner.
2. Employees must avoid unfair practices and must act impartially and with the highest degree of integrity to foster public confidence in City government when making purchases on behalf of the City.
3. Employees must conduct himself or herself in a courteous and professional manner with the City's vendors.
4. Employees must not personally accept gifts of a value greater than $25 from any actual or potential supplier or contractor.
5. Employees must choose vendors that provide the City with the Best Value, as defined in the Livermore Municipal Code, Section 2.68.040.
6. Upon receipt of goods or services, employees must review the product or service to ensure that all aspects of the order (prices, quantities, specifications, etc.) have been met as agreed upon.
7. Employees must give all vendors an equal opportunity to present "as equal" products.

Achievements and Awards

In 1995, the National Purchasing Institute (NPI) established a program designed to recognize organizational excellence in public procurement. The Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) is awarded annually.

This prestigious award is earned by those organizations that demonstrate excellence by obtaining a high score based on standardized criteria. The criteria are designed to measure innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement, and leadership attributes of the procurement organization.

The City of Livermore's Purchasing Division is the recipient of the Award for Achievement of Excellence in Procurement®.  Since 2004, the Purchasing Division has won this prestigious award 16 times!