Mission Statement
The Purchasing Division provides procurement services for the Board of County Commissioners at the most cost effective price using the highest ethical standards while adhering to appropriate laws, regulation and procedures.
Thresholds
Small Purchases ($0 - $5,000.00)
Purchases of $5,000.00 or less are considered small purchases and do not require quotes. However, a minimum of Workers Compensation Insurance must be provided before any services are performed. The preferred method of payment for small purchases is the County issued purchasing card (P-Card).
Informal (telephone/internet) Quotes ($5,000.01 - $10,000.00)
A minimum of three (3) or more informal (telephone or internet) quotations must be obtained.
Written Quotes ($10,000.01 - $49,999.99)
Purchases $10,000.01 - $25,000.00 require a minimum of three (3) written quotes, two (2) of which should be Polk County firms (if available) and one (1) of which should be W/MBE (if available).
Purchases $25,000.01 - $49,999.99 require a minimum of six (6) written quotes, four (4) of which should be Polk County Firms (if available) and two (2) of which should be W/MBE (if available).
Formal Sealed Bids ($50,000.00 or greater)
Purchases of $50,000.00 or greater, whether a one time purchase or annual bid, require an Invitation for Bid (IFB), Construction Quote(CQ), or Request for Proposal (RFP). For a list of all formal solicitations click here.
Important Contact and Procedure Information
All sealed bids or proposals are due at the date/time designated in the bid or proposal documents and must be delivered to:
The Purchasing Division
2470 Clower Lane
Bartow, Florida, 33830
Phone: (863) 534-5610
Fax: (863) 534-0055
Hours of operation are 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday through Friday
Directions to Purchasing Building
Affiliations
The Polk County Purchasing Division is a member of
- The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP)
- The National Association of Purchasing Card Professionals (NAPCP)
- The Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers (FAPPO)
- The Mid-Florida Chapter of NIGP
Purchasing staff adheres to their respective Codes of Ethics
Awards
Award of Excellence of Public Procurement from the Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers (FAPPO). This award recognizes agencies that meet/exceed benchmarks in the purchasing field and places emphasis on continuous process improvement and outstanding purchasing practices. The Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers is widely recognized as a professional state-wide organization consisting of approximately 1,000 procurement professional members; representing over 300 agencies throughout the State of Florida, including municipalities counties, state, special districts and authorities, school boards, public universities, and sheriff's office. Received 2008 and 2009.
NIGP Innovations in Public Procurement. This award recognized those procurement agencies that have demonstrated leadership in the area of innovative practices related to technology, communication and community outreach. Through this award, NIGP gives recognition to the outstanding efforts public procurement professionals make it effectively expend public funds. NIGP's awards for Innovation are presented to agencies that demonstrate "Cutting-edge", non-standard, forward thinking through the design and implementation of new programs in public procurement. Received 2008.
Outstanding Agency Accreditation Achievement Award (OA4). This award, given by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP), recognizes those agencies that lead the public procurement procession. Accreditation certification is valid for three years at which time the agency will be required to re-accredit. The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc., is a national, membership-based non-profit organization providing support to professionals in the public sector purchasing profession. NIGP provides its members with many services including education, professional networking, research and technical assistance. Received 2007.
Achievement of Excellence in Procurement by the National Purchasing Institute (NPI). The annual award is earned by those organizations that demonstrate excellence by obtaining a high score based on innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement and leadership attributes of the procurement organization. The National Purchasing Institute is about education and networking for their members and other professionals associated with public sector procurement and supply management. NPI promotes the achievement of excellence in governmental and institutional procurement through education, certification, professional development and networking of it's membership. Received 2007, 2008, and 2009.