The Santa Ana City Charter and Municipal Code define formal and informal procedures for solicitations and awards. 

Informal bids, valued less than $25,000, require competitive, written quotations.  At their discretion, Buyers may solicit quotes via phone, fax, or internet.  Vendors are selected based upon their ability to provide maximum quality goods and services at a minimum price.  To ensure your quotation is evaluated fairly, all written quotes should include;

• Item cost
• Delivery cost
• Applicable taxes
• Delivery lead time
• Vendor contact name and phone number and/or e-mail address

Formal bids, valued at $25,000 and over are solicited via a competitive, sealed Invitations For Bid (IFB).  Sealed bids must be received no later than the time and date indicated on the IFB form. Bids are opened publicly and the lowest responsive bid is recommended for award by the Buyer to the City Council.  Only the City Council has authority to award purchases $25,000 and over.

Requests For Proposals (RFP) are an alternate method for procurement of goods and services used when other qualifying criteria is determined to be of greater value than price.  Proposals are solicited in the same manner as formal bids but are not opened publicly.

Bids for major public works construction projects are solicited directly by the Public Works Department.  Call 714-647-5680 for a recorded listing of current projects.