MONTGOMERY COUNTY                                     2367

(j) In addition to the requirements set forth in paragraph (i) above,
when the lowest bidder is a prospective lessor, the following special factors
relating to the facility shall be considered in evaluating his responsibility:
location, parking, construction, accessibility, traffic, janitorial services,
heating, and air conditioning.

84-17. Open market procedure.

(a)     All purchases of goods or services estimated to cost less than
three thousand dollars may be made in the open market without observing
the formal bid procedure described in Section 84-16 of this Code. All
open market purchases shall, wherever feasible, be based on competitive
bids, and shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder in accordance
with the standards set forth in subsection (i) of Section 84-16 of this;
Code.

(b)     All sales of goods which have become surplus, obsolete or un-
usable and whose value is estimated to be less than three thousand dollars
may be made without reference to the formal bid procedure. Such sales
shall, wherever feasible, be based on competitive bids, and shall be made
to the highest responsible bidder. The chief administrative officer is also
authorized, subject to the direction of the County Executive, to sell by
auction such property to the highest responsible bidder, after public
notice, when, in his opinion, the return to the county will be increased by
this procedure.

84-18. Single source purchases.

When the county requires goods or services which are supplied by only
one manufacturer, the chief administrative officer shall, subject to the
direction of the County Executive, purchase such items by obtaining the
lowest possible price by one of the following alternative methods:

(a)    Purchase directly from the one manufacturer without the neces-
sity of obtaining competitive bids.

(b)    Purchase directly from an exclusive franchised dealer without
the necessity of obtaining competitive bids.

(c)    Purchase from authorized dealers or distributors by obtaining
competitive bids.

84-19. Purchase of patented or proprietary articles.

When the county requires goods which are patented or proprietary
and which are obtainable in two or more equally satisfactory and competi-
tive makes, brands or types, the chief administrative officer may list such ac-
ceptable and competitive makes, brands, or types in the invitations to
bid. Such lists shall also include the phrase "or equal" to permit bidders
to bid on alternate or additional makes, brands or types. It shall be
incumbent on each bidder to prove to the satisfaction of the county
that the alternate or additional make, brand or type is equal in quality
or performance to those listed in the invitation to bid.

84-20. Capital improvement projects.

Whenever a capital improvement project is to be undertaken by
the county the chief administrative officer shall cause plans, specifications,
and estimates of cost to be prepared and shall, subject to the direction of
the County Executive, determine whether the project is to be constructed
by contract or by county forces. If the project is to be constructed
by contract, competitive bids shall be secured and the contract awarded
in accordance with the requirements of Section 84-16 of this Code.