I. Preferential Purchasing Ordinance

Description: Requires Local Governments to give purchasing priorities to locally owned businesses.

Section One. Declaration. The [Local Government] declares that the vitality of locally owned businesses requires that [Local Government] purchase goods and products necessary for the operation of [Local Government] from locally owned businesses.

Section Two. Purpose. This Ordinance imposes a requirement upon [Local Government] to (1) give purchasing priorities to locally owned businesses, and (2) to encourage locally owned businesses to participate in the [Local Government] bidding process.

Section Three. Definitions.

“Commercial Facility” - A physical location or other place of business open to the public.

“Locally Owned Business” - A sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which owns a commercial facility within the [Local Government].

Section Four. Encouraging Bidding from Locally Owned Businesses. Prior to acceptance of bids for materials and services for [Local Government], the [Local Government] shall distribute the request for bids to at least two locally owned businesses which possess the materials or service delivery necessary to fulfill the request for bids. This invitation for bids shall be done by written request from the [Local Government] and shall be sent concurrently with the publishing of the request for bids.

Section Five. Purchasing Priorities. If the difference between the bid submitted by a non-locally owned business and the bid submitted by the locally owned business is negligible, the [Local Government] shall accept the bid submitted by the locally owned business.

Section Six. Severability. The judicial finding that any portion of this Ordinance is unenforceable shall not affect the administration of the other portions of this Ordinance.