Pennsylvania Act 1917-108 — FIRST CLASS CITIES, PURCHASE OF SUPPLIES

Act text

FIRST CLASS CITIES, PURCHASE OF SUPPLIES
                  Act of May 17, 1917, P.L. 197, No. 108              Cl. 11
                                  AN ACT

     Regulating the purchase of and contract for supplies in cities
        of the first class in this Commonwealth.

        Section 1.  Be it enacted, &c., That councils in cities of
     the first class are hereby empowered to authorize the director
     of supplies and purchases in cities of the first class to
     purchase or procure, without public advertisement for bids, and
     without entering into written contracts, materials or
     commodities to the value of five hundred dollars ($500.00):
     Provided, That written bids therefor be first invited from at
     least three persons, firms, or corporations regularly engaged in
     the business of manufacturing, dealing in, furnishing, or
     supplying the same.
        (1 amended Apr. 29, 1929, P.L.859, No.376)
        Section 2.  Whenever advertised bids are received for
     furnishing materials or commodities for a stated period, and the
     amount or amounts appropriated and available are not sufficient
     to cover the requirements for the period stated in the
     advertisement, said councils, in cities of the first class, may
     authorize the director of supplies to continue said contract or
     contracts when further appropriations are made and become
     available for that purpose, or when further requirements become
     necessary for the period stated, and this authorization shall be
     set forth in the said contract or contracts and shall be binding
     upon the parties affixing their signatures thereto.
        Section 3.  Whenever a state of war exists between the United
     States and any other nation, or nations, and prospective or
     actual hostilities bring about commercial conditions which make
     it practically impossible, because of continually changing
     prices, to obtain contracts for the furnishing of certain
     commodities necessary for the government of cities of the first
     class in this Commonwealth, the councils of each city of the
     first class are hereby empowered to authorize the director of
     supplies thereof to purchase, in the open market at the lowest
     and most advantageous prices, coal, fresh meats, provisions,
     groceries and other edibles, and drugs and hospital supplies,
     for the use of said city, without advertising or entering into
     contracts for the same, until such time as hostilities shall
     cease and normal market conditions shall be restored.