Procurement & Vendor Information

Procurement Mission

It is the policy of the Board to maintain a procurement system where county purchases for goods and services are coordinated through the Finance Department by the Procurement Officer. Expenditures are made within the framework of approved budgets and those procedures established for its proper administration.

 The dollar value of goods and services to be purchased determines the procurement method to be used.   The county will seek lower cost, better quality and better purchase terms for acquisitions of goods and services through: a standardization of procurement procedures and processes; encouraging the reduction and eventual elimination of small orders; encouraging advanced planning; reducing paperwork through combined purchases; encouraging competitive purchasing; and encouraging cooperative intergovernmental purchasing by departments.  

Doing Business With Oconee County

Oconee County accepts new vendors through our online registration process.  If you wish to become a vendor, please click here!

If you are already registered it is important to keep your business information and vendor documents current. You can provide updated information through the same link used to become a new vendor.

Oconee County requires the following documents to register a vendor:

  1. W-9
  2. Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Affidavit
  3. For vendors who intend to engage in the physical performance of services on County property, a Certificate of Insurance is required. Please see the Oconee County Insurance Requirements.

Click Vendor Documents to download what you need to complete your registration process.

How Does the Procurement Process Work?

Oconee County purchases goods and services through quotes and bids. You can find out about our open solicitations now by visiting the “Bid Opportunities” link located in the sidebar. Oconee County also advertises open solicitations in the weekly newspaper. 

Purchasing Policies

  1. Purchases under $10,000 - requires a purchase order at the Department Director's discretion.
  2. Purchases between $10,000-$15,000 - requires a purchase order with the approval of the Procurement Officer and the Finance Director.
  3. Purchases between $15,000-$25,000 - require a purchase order with two competitive written quotes with the approval of the Procurement Officer and the Finance Director.
  4. Purchases between $25,000-$100,000 - require a purchase order with three competitive written quotes with the approval of the County Administrator.
  5. Purchases $100,000 and over - require competitive sealed bid or formal sealed proposal with the approval of the Board of Commissioners

Local Business Initiative

Any purchase or contract of under $100,000 bid or otherwise placed by Oconee County, may be awarded to a Local Business, as defined according to Oconee County Policy, in case of equivalent bids. In cases in which a bid by a Local Business is within 7% of the lowest overall bid supplied by a non-local business, the County is authorized to negotiate with Local Business with the lowest bid among the Local Business to allow such Local business to match the lowest bid supplied by a non-local business. In the event a Local Business matches the lowest bid, including all other terms, quality and conditions of the bid, then the Local Business may be awarded the contract. In the event the bids of more than one Local Business are within 7% of the lowest overall bid of a non-local business, the Local Business with the lowest bid price will be given the first opportunity to match the lowest overall bid. If this Local Business declines to do so, then the Local Business with the next lowest bid within 7% will be given the opportunity to match the lowest bid and this process will continue until a contract is reached with a Local business or there is no other Local Business within 7% of the lowest overall bid.