Purchasing

Mission

Through sound purchasing policies and procedures based upon laws and high ethical standards that promote public confidence and trust in government, the City of Columbia shall procure goods and services at the right time, at the right place and at the right price for all city departments.

Responsibilities

• To know and become acquainted with the needs of all departments.
• To procure a product or service that will meet the departments' requirements and is the best value to the City.
• To know the sources and availability of needed products.
• To provide guidance through policies and training, and be a source of information to all departments in meeting their purchasing needs.
• To maintain good vendor relations.
• To inform department staffs of market changes, new products and other such factors.
• To exchange ideas and information with other public purchasing agencies in an effort to solve common problems.
• To develop standardized specifications for use by all departments, improve the purchasing practices, and apply them when feasible.
• To understand legal procurement laws.

Fore more information, see the City of Columbia Purchasing Manual (PDF).