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County moves to modernize procurement code, raising small-construction threshold and extending contract lengths
Summary
Bernalillo County introduced changes to its county procurement ordinance to clarify RFQ rules, widen department exemptions, raise the small-construction threshold to $100,000 and allow longer professional-services contracts.
Annie Baca, Director of Procurement and Business Services, introduced amendments to Bernalillo County’s Procurement Ordinance intended to modernize procurement practices and speed contracting while retaining oversight and transparency.
Baca told the commission the ordinance (chapter 2, article 5) updates definitions, clarifies exemptions, streamlines requests for qualifications (RFQ) procedures and raises the threshold for the small-purchase “best obtainable” construction category from $20,000 to $100,000 to reflect market conditions. She also proposed increasing the allowable duration of professional-services contracts from six years to eight years to align with long-term projects.
The vice chair said the changes would help “loosen up” procurement bottlenecks and improve equity by making contracts accessible to smaller providers; commissioners praised staff for their work. The vice chair moved approval of introduction and the vote was 5–0 in favor; staff said the ordinance will be published for the required 30-day comment period and return for public hearing and final adoption on Aug. 5, 2025.
Ending: Staff said the amendments are designed to reduce administrative barriers while maintaining accountability; the commission approved introduction and publication and will act on the ordinance after required public notice.
