(1) Purchase of professional services provided by persons, firms, companies, or corporations (including, but not limited to, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, environmental, land surveying, legal, accounting or construction management) shall be made on the basis of demonstrated competence and experience of the service provider and on the professional qualifications necessary for the satisfactory performance of the services required. The process for securing professional services may be through negotiation or through request for proposals; the purchasing officer will attempt to obtain information relating to prices and availability of such professional services from different sources prior to making the purchase; however, neither formal nor informal bidding shall be required prior to the purchase of professional services.

(2) The city manager shall sign all professional services contracts on behalf of the city. Professional services contracts will be prepared in accordance with the city’s standard consultants services agreement. Authorization to approve the contract value shall be subject to the limitations of CMC 3.16.110; furthermore, contracts with a contract value of greater than $25,000 shall require city council approval prior to execution, unless otherwise authorized pursuant to CMC 3.16.170.

(3) Unless otherwise limited by the CMC, or applicable state or federal law, the term of a contract shall be as set forth in the contract and may include extensions as authorized in the contract. The city manager may approve a multiyear contract; provided, that the value of the multiyear contract as extended does not exceed the city manager’s purchasing authority. Otherwise, multiyear contracts shall require the approval of the council. (Ord. 649 § 2, 2015).