Exemptions.
Richmond, Va., City Code § 21-3
in effectSec. 21-3. - Exemptions.
(a) The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to the following:
(1) Purchases by the Department of Social Services for the acquisition of motor vehicles for sale or transfer to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients.
(2) Procurement transactions involving the expenditure of Federal assistance or contract funds, the receipt of which is conditioned upon compliance with mandatory requirements in Federal laws or regulations not in conformance with this chapter, where the Director has determined in writing, which states the specific section of this chapter in conflict with the conditions of the grant or contract, that acceptance of the grant or contract funds under the applicable conditions is in the public interest and where the City complies with such Federal requirements.
(3) The purchase of goods or services that are produced or performed by:
a. Persons, or in schools or workshops, under the supervision of the State Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired; or
b. Employment services organizations that offer transitional or supported employment services serving individuals with disabilities.
(4) The purchase of legal services or expert witnesses or other services associated with litigation or regulatory proceedings, including the printing of legal briefs.
(5) The purchase of insurance or electric utility services if purchased through an association of which the City is a member if the association was formed and is maintained for the purpose of promoting the interest and welfare of and developing close relationships with public bodies similar to the City, provided such association has procured the insurance or electric utility services by use of competitive principles and provided that the Director has made a determination in advance after reasonable notice to the public and set forth in writing that competitive sealed bidding and competitive negotiation are not fiscally advantageous to the public and the basis for this determination.
(6) Any purchase for the administration of public assistance and social services programs as defined in Code of Virginia, § 63.2-100; any purchase for a community services board as defined in Code of Virginia, § 37.2-100; and any purchase of services under the:
a. Children's Services Act, Code of Virginia, § 2.2-5200 et seq.; or
b. Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act, Code of Virginia, § 16.1-309.2 et seq.; for goods or personal services for direct use by the recipients of such programs if the procurement is made for an individual recipient; however, contracts for the bulk procurement of goods or services for the use of recipients shall not be exempted from the requirements of this chapter.
(7) Contracts for or purchases of equipment, services, the printing of ballots or statements of results, or other materials essential to the conduct of a general, primary or special election.
(8) Purchases from Virginia Correctional Enterprises, from the State Department of General Services Division of Purchases and Supply and from the State Department of Transportation.
(9) Purchases for special police work when the Chief of Police certifies to the Director that items are needed for undercover police operations.
(10) Scientific instruments and equipment, medicines and drugs, legal and scientific books and periodicals, and professional books and periodicals.
(11) Manuscripts, maps, charts, sheet music, phonograph records, compact video or audio discs, video or audio cassette tapes, books, pamphlets and periodicals.
(12) Such perishable articles as may be designated in the rules and regulations established by ordinance.
(13) Association dues and membership in professional associations for City agencies and employees.
(14) Expenses for City-sponsored:
a. Conference-related room deposits;
b. Hotel and motel lodging;
c. Conference registration;
d. Banquets; and
e. Catering.
(15) Advertising in publications.
(16) Sculptures, paintings or other works of art.
(17) Purchases on existing contracts established by professional organizations that the City may use by virtue of its membership in such organizations.
(18) Purchases on existing contracts established by other public bodies.
(19) Services purchased by the Richmond Retirement System related to the management, purchase, or sale of investments authorized by this section, including, but not limited to, actuarial services, when governed by the standard of care set forth in Code of Virginia, § 51.1-803.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) of this section, the requirements of Section 21-9 concerning prompt payment of bills and Article VIII of this chapter concerning ethics in public contracting shall apply to any procurement transaction listed in this section.
(c) The Director of Procurement Services may delegate to the Director of Public Utilities the authority to purchase natural gas and to arrange for the transportation of natural gas without requiring that sealed bids be received pursuant to invitations extended as set out in Section 21-47.
(Code 1993, § 22.1-67; Code 2004, § 74-3; Code 2015, § 21-3; Code 2020, § 21-3)
Source: City of Richmond, Virginia, Code (2026 recodification) and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICICO_CH21PUPR_ARTIINGE_S21-3EXFetched: 11/8/2026