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San Diego Community Power raises procurement thresholds, expands CEO signature authority
Summary
The San Diego Community Power Board on Sept. 25 adopted two policy revisions that increase competitive-solicitation thresholds for non-energy contracts, require more written quotes, add cooperative "piggyback" procurement and expand delegated signature authority for the CEO and executive team.
The San Diego Community Power Board of Directors on Sept. 25 unanimously adopted two policy updates that raise the agency's non-energy competitive-solicitation threshold and expand delegated contract and signature authority for agency leadership.
The board approved Resolution No. 2025-16, updating the non-energy procurement policy, and Resolution No. 2025-17, revising the delegated contract and signature authority policy. Both measures passed on roll-call votes with all members recorded as voting in the affirmative.
The revisions to the non-energy procurement policy increase the threshold for competitive solicitations and the CEO's delegated contract authority from $125,000 to $150,000. Christopher Stevens, procurement manager, told the board the change is intended to reflect inflation since the threshold was set in 2020 and to align procurement practice with the agency's growth. Stevens said the policy will also require written quotes for contracts above $10,000 and add cooperative and "piggyback" procurement options "in line with other public agencies."
The delegated-contract update makes several administrative changes. As presented, it extends CEO delegation to cover non-dollar-value agreements such as nondisclosure agreements, memoranda of understanding and data‑sharing agreements while reserving for the board the authority to enter into MOUs with federal, state or local agencies. The revision also allows the CEO to delegate signature authority to members of the executive team in the CEO's absence (with the exception of general counsel approvals that require legal review), and formally renames the policy to "Delegated Contract and Signature Authority Policy."
Board members asked staff how the policy treats selection when the lowest bid is not chosen. Stevens and procurement staff explained that solicitations will specify evaluation criteria and that best-value considerations (technical scope, specialized expertise or other factors) can justify selecting a bidder other than the lowest price.
Both resolutions were moved and seconded during the meeting and carried on unanimous votes. The updated thresholds and delegations take effect under the terms of the adopted policies.
The board heard the procurement items as part of the regular agenda after receiving the Community Advisory Committee quarterly update. The board advised staff to continue periodic policy reviews as the agency matures.
Ending: The procurement changes are intended to streamline contracting for a growing agency while keeping defined board reserves for intergovernmental agreements. Community Power staff said they will bring administrative edits and policy clarifications back to the board as needed.
