§ 2-521. Purposes and application.

(a)

Purpose. The purpose of this article is to provide for the fair and equitable treatment of all activities involved in public purchasing by Dorchester County, to maximize the purchasing value of public funds in procurement, and to provide safeguards for maintaining a procurement system of quality and integrity.

(b)

Application. This article applies to contracts for the procurement of supplies, services, and construction, entered into by Dorchester County after the effective date of the ordinance from which this article derives unless the parties agree to its application to contracts entered into prior to the effective date. It shall apply to every expenditure of public funds irrespective of their source. It shall also apply to the disposal of County equipment and/or supplies. Nothing in this article shall prevent any County department or agency from complying with the terms and conditions of any grant, gift or bequest which are otherwise consistent with law.

(c)

Specific repealer. All previously issued ordinances pertaining to public procurement for Dorchester County are hereby repealed.

(d)

Effective date. This article shall become effective upon third and final reading.

(e)

Obligation of good faith. Every contract, duty, or responsibility within this article imposes an obligation of good faith in its negotiation, performance, or enforcement.

Good faith means honesty in fact in the conduct or transaction concerned and the observance of reasonable commercial standards of fair dealing.

( Ord. No. 18-18, 10-1-2018 )