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Select Board discusses purchasing policy update, federal-funds section and Davis-Bacon implications
Summary
Board reviewed edits to a model purchasing policy that split municipal-only purchases from those involving federal funds, discussed Davis-Bacon wage requirements and bid/engineer oversight for federally funded projects, and agreed to insert language allowing waivers by granting agencies.
Committee member presented a draft purchasing policy updated with Vermont League guidance. The proposed change creates two sections: one for purchases using only municipal funds and a second for purchases that include federal funds. Committee member said federal-rule changes voted in 2024 required the split and noted that some federal grants may trigger Davis-Bacon prevailing-wage obligations for contractors.
Members discussed practical implications for town projects: when federal money is used, contractors and engineers must document prevailing wages and oversight (a role typically handled through an engineer for larger projects). The board agreed to retain model language but add an allowance that the requirement for two qualified vendor quotes can be waived “unless required by the granting agency,” and to revisit the policy after the Vermont League issues its updated model.
