Purchasing

Ocoee is committed to procuring commodities, contractual services, construction services, and professional services at the lowest possible cost without compromising quality. The responsibility of the Finance Department - Purchasing Division is to procure commodities, contractual services, construction services, and professional services based on quality, service, price, and overall best value to the City while providing for fair and open competition and cultivating community trust in the City’s practices.

The City has established proper procurement practices in compliance with City Charter and Chapter 21 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, State of Florida Statutes, and Federal Code of Regulations. The Purchasing Division is a member of the National Institute of Government Procurement (NIGP), the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials (FAPPO), Central Florida Chapter of NIGP (CFC-NIGP), and is certified by the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC).

Vendor/Bid Notifications

The City has transitioned to a new e-Procurement software powered by Bonfire. All solicitations will be released electronically through Bonfire at https://ocoee.bonfirehub.com and responses from bidders must be submitted electronically through Bonfire's online platform. By using Bonfire, prospective bidders have access to information regarding a solicitation including the bid date and time, the solicitation documents, addendums. and changes to the project requirements. Bonfire is a completely free service for all prospective bidders. Prior to viewing solicitation documents and submitting a bid, prospective bidders are required to set up a free account with Bonfire by registering at https://ocoee.bonfirehub.com.

The City requires vendors to submit a completed City vendor application and completed IRS W-9 form in order to be added to the vendor list. Each City department has access to this vendor list for quote purposes and is responsible for the purchase of commodities and services for their department up to their authority levels.

Procurement Thresholds

Purchasing oversees a centralized/partially decentralized procurement system. In accordance with the thresholds below, the City issues Purchase Orders for invoice payments, or payments are made by city-issued purchasing cards.

LevelDollar ThresholdMethod of SolicitationAuthority to Approve
Level OneIndividual Item and/or
Total Purchase less than $5,000.00		One Verbal Quote, City’s Purchasing Card should be used when possibleDepartment Director or Designee
Level TwoIndividual Item and/or Total Purchase $5,000.00 and over and less than $10,000.00Two Written QuotesDepartment Director or Designee (Requires City Commission approval for capital items if amount exceeds budgeted amount or has been changed from original budget)
Level ThreeIndividual Item and/or Total Purchase $10,000.00 and over and less than $25,000.00Three Written QuotesPurchasing Agent (Requires City Commission approval for capital items if amount exceeds budgeted amount or has been changed from original budget)
Level FourIndividual Item and/or Total Purchase $25,000.00 and over and less than $50,000.00Three Written QuotesCity Manager (Requires award or rejection by City Commission if the purchase exceeds the original budgeted dollar amount, or has been changed from original budget)
Level FiveIndividual Item and/or Total Purchase $50,000.00 and overFormal SolicitationCity Commission