Norwich Township adopts procurement policy emphasizing local vendors, diversity and responsible-bidder standards

Norwich Township’s Board of Trustees adopted a broad procurement and contracting policy on April 21 that formally adds local-preference considerations, outreach to women-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses, and responsible-bidder standards covering workforce training and safety.

The policy, approved unanimously by Trustees Kelli Arthur Hykes (Chair), Brian Rothenberg (Vice-Chair) and Trish Barker, directs the Township to evaluate bids on a best-value basis that considers price, quality, contractor performance, workforce training, safety records and local economic impact rather than awarding solely on lowest price. It also directs departments to maintain a vendor registry and produce an annual public report summarizing contracts and supplier diversity participation.

Trustee Hykes said the policy ‘‘promotes transparency, fiscal stewardship and community values’’ and includes special provisions for Fire and EMS procurements that require vendors to demonstrate service and maintenance capacity, safety certification and attention to total cost of ownership. The policy requires competitive-quote thresholds, documentation for informal quotes and written justification for exceptions, such as emergencies or sole-source purchases.

Key provisions include: mandatory documentation of informal quotes for mid-range purchases; a best-value scoring approach that may favor local businesses when legally permissible; outreach and evaluation factors for certified WBE, MBE and VBE firms on non-routine capital items over $5,000; and responsible-bidder checks for construction projects that request evidence of apprenticeship participation, OSHA logs or comparable safety records, and disclosures about union labor and compliance with prevailing-wage rules where applicable.

The resolution (adopted as RESOLUTION NO. 260421.13 in the meeting packet) also requires department heads to ensure procurement actions are within approved appropriations and allows the Board to delegate purchasing authority to a Township Administrator, Fire Chief or Fiscal Officer as needed. Trustees approved the policy by unanimous voice vote.

Supporters said the change will protect taxpayers, encourage local hiring and improve long-term service reliability for critical public-safety assets. Trustee Rothenberg emphasized the need for accountability and documentation when exceptions are used; Trustee Barker highlighted outreach to diverse local suppliers.

The policy calls for annual transparency reporting on contracts awarded, participation by Norwich Township and Franklin County businesses, WBE/MBE/VBE participation, and Fire/EMS capital purchases to be made available to the public. The Board did not amend the resolution before adoption; departments will implement the vendor registry and informal-quote procedures as described in the policy.