§ 17. Department of Finance: Purchasing.

(a) Central purchasing system.

The City shall have a centralized purchasing system, and the Department of Finance and all other municipal agencies shall cooperate fully to obtain the maximum benefits from this system.

(b) Department to procure or approve procurement; Competitive bidding.

(1) Procurement.

The Department shall procure, by purchase, lease or other acquisition, or shall approve the procurement of, all materials, supplies, and equipment, and all services, other than professional services, that municipal agencies use ("using agencies").

(2) Competitive bidding.

The Department shall insure that competitive bidding is used, and competitive prices are obtained, in purchasing these materials, supplies, equipment and services, to the fullest practicable extent.

(c) Standards; Rules and regulations.

(1) Standards.

Subject to the approval of the Board of Estimates, the Department shall adopt standards that prescribe when, and the manner and form in which, using agencies will submit estimates of their procurement needs, make requisitions, and enter into contracts.

(2) Rules and regulations.

In cooperation with the using agencies, the Department shall adopt rules and regulations for materials, supplies, equipment, and services required by the using agencies.

(d) Responsibility for storing, distributing, etc.

Unless special exception is made by resolution of the Board of Estimates, the Department shall be responsible for disposing of and reclaiming materials, supplies, and equipment purchased for municipal agencies.

(e) Exceptions.

(1) Public works.

Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Estimates, nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to public works done under contract, to records and briefs printed for the Department of Law, or to professional services.

(2) Accounts payable.

Matters of payments and disbursements related to procurement shall be managed by the Department of Accounts Payable in accordance with Article V, § 13 {"Department of Accounts Payable - General powers and duties."}.

(f) Board of Estimates to settle agency disputes.

In the event of a disagreement between departments, the Board of Estimates shall determine whether a proposed procurement is for public works, materials, supplies, equipment, services or professional services.