San Bernardino County Policy Number 11-06

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

On March 10, 2020, the San Bernardino County (“County”) Board of Supervisors (“Board”) created a new program when it approved San Bernardino County Policy Number 11-05 (“the Program”). The Program is an innovative procurement and contracting policy. The purpose of the Program is to provide clarity to the Board, County departments, and the public on the standard County contract terms and acceptable revisions that may be approved by the County’s Purchasing Agent, as well as to recognize substantive non-standard contract terms that should be presented to the Board for approval. One of the significant outcomes of the Program is that it provides a streamlined approach in the contract review, approval, and execution process by: a) ensuring alignment with County policies; b) advising authorized County approvers on the impacts/risks that certain terms pose to the County; and c) expediting the contract approval process. Another significant outcome of the Program is that it provides transparency to the public on the decision-making and approval process for County contracts. The timing of the Program allowed the County to start recognizing these outcomes during an unprecedented time - the COVID-19 pandemic.