(a)

1. (1) When the purchase exceeds five thousand dollars and one cent ($5,000.01) but is less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), tax excluded, district manager approval is required.

2. (2) The counselor will:

   1. (A) Obtain at least three (3) written quotes;
   2. (B) Complete the RS-357 with a memo; and
   3. (C) Submit this information to the manager.
3. (3) If less than three (3) quotes are obtained, a statement of explanation will accompany the purchase request.
4. (4) Quote specification details will be consistent to all vendors.
5. (5) The RS-357 will be submitted to the Chief of Field Services for approval.
6. (6) An approved copy of the RS-357 will be returned to the counselor.
7. (7) Upon receipt, the counselor may issue an authorization.
8. (8) If the Central Office provides the counselor with a copy of the state purchasing agency’s purchase order, a copy of the authorization will not be sent to the vendor.

(b) Exceptions:

1. (1) Surgery, treatment, and hospitalization;
2. (2) Prosthetic devices;
3. (3) Professional, technical, and other personal services;
4. (4) Room and board;
5. (5) Transportation charges;
6. (6) Books, manuals, and periodicals; and
7. (7) Copyrighted educational aids.

(c) Procedures — Purchasing. If the cost of one (1) item or the total cost of like items amount to:

1. (1)

   1. (A) Five thousand dollars and one cent ($5,000.01) or more but less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), tax excluded, will require the approval of the manager.
   2. (B) The counselor will:

(i) Obtain at least three (3) written quotes;

1. (ii) Complete the RS-357 with a memo; and

   1. (iii) Submit this information to the manager.
   2. (C) If less than three (3) quotes are obtained, a statement of explanation will accompany the purchase request.
   3. (D) Quote specification details will be consistent to all vendors.
   4. (E) The RS-357 will be submitted to the Chief of Field Services for approval.
   5. (F) An approved copy of the RS-357 will be returned to the counselor.
   6. (G) Upon receipt, the counselor may issue an authorization;

2. (2)

   1. (A) Ten thousand dollars and one cent ($10,000.01) or more but less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), tax excluded, will require the approval of the Chief of Field Services through the manager.
   2. (B) The counselor will obtain at least three (3) or more verbal or written quotations and submit this information to the manager.
   3. (C) If unable to obtain three (3) quotes, a statement of explanation must accompany the purchase request.
   4. (D) Quote specification details will be consistent to all vendors; and

3. (3)

   1. (A) Twenty-five thousand dollars and one cent ($25,000.01) or more, the request will be forwarded to the Chief of Field Services.
   2. (B) The Central Office will arrange for the purchase.
   3. (C) The counselor will determine whether the total cost exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars and one cent ($25,000.01) and, if so, will obtain complete specifications and submit these to the Central Office.
   4. (D) Quote specification details will be consistent to all vendors.
   5. (E) Brand names may be used as a means of identification and as the basis of specifications only.