What are formal bids?
Whenever a single purchase or group of the same or similar products will cost the County at least $10,000, NYS Municipal law dictates that municipalities must procure these commodities through the “formal” competitive bidding process. In addition, all public works contracts in excess of $20,000, must follow the same guidelines. The “formal” competitive bidding process begins when the County publishes a legal notice in the official County Newspapers. The legal notice will list the type of commodity requested as well as where to pick up the bid packet and the time and date of the opening of the bid. In response to the legal notice, vendors are requested to contact us for the actual bid packet. The vendor then fills out the pertinent information and returns it in a sealed envelope marked with the required information prior to the bid opening. On the date and at the time listed in the legal notice, all sealed bids will be opened and read publicly. All bids will be reviewed for conformance
