1. (a) This section does not apply to expenditures of $2,000 or less. (Note: A large purchase may not be divided into small lot purchases to circumvent the dollar limits established by this section. For example, expenditures for computer equipment to a single vendor that total more than $2,000 are subject to the competitive bid requirement and may not be split between printers/scanner/computers.)
2. (b) Unless prior approval from the Secretary of State is obtained, the county chair must purchase all services and products using competitive bids from no less than three sources. If purchase is through the Texas Procurement and Support Services (TPASS), cooperative purchasing programs for state contract purchasing for the State of Texas bids are not required. Proper documentation must be submitted to indicate the type of procurement service used and the source for those services.
3. (c) The county chair must document or otherwise provide an explanation regarding the lack of available bids from vendors (sole source). This documentation or explanation must be submitted with the 2010 Final Primary Election Cost Report.
4. (d) If the county chair contracts with the county election official who has a term contract for election supplies or services, then competitive bids are not required for term-contract supplies or services if the county entered the term contract pursuant to regular county purchasing rules. If a term contract is utilized, a letter explaining the use of the term contract must be provided. The letter must be signed by the county official and the county purchasing agent stating that supplies were purchased for the primary election from a vendor with which they have a term contract. The letter must be submitted with the 2010 Final Primary Election Cost Report.

Source Note:The provisions of this §81.115 adopted to be effective December 13, 2009, 34 TexReg 8665.