Council amends procurement code to allow professional services exemptions from standard competitive bidding
Summary
Council approved an amendment to procurement code Section 10703 to permit the council to exempt professional services procured under continuing service agreements or preapproved arrangements from routine competitive bidding, subject to state law.
Lincoln City Council approved an amendment to the procurement code adding language that allows the procurement of professional services to be exempted from standard competitive bidding procedures when services are procured under continuing service agreements, task orders or preapproved arrangements.
The proposed amendment—requested by the mayor following the ordinance’s first reading—adds a clause stating the council may determine by resolution that certain professional services be procured based on qualifications and scope rather than a uniform vetting process for each project. The amendment preserves compliance with state competitive‑bidding thresholds where applicable.
Council members said the change reflects differences between purchasing materials and buying professional services, where qualifications and scope can be more important than price comparisons. The amendment passed its second reading and was approved by council vote.
Council indicated the amended language would give the city more flexibility to use continuing services agreements and task orders for engineering and other professional work when appropriate; members stressed the provision remains subject to applicable state procurement law.
