Definitions.
Ann Arbor City Code § 1:312
in effect1:312. - Definitions.
The following words and phrases used in this chapter, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context, shall have the following meanings:
(1) Available for public inspection means 1 or more of the following: posting, electronically and/or on-site at designated public information boards or other locations; depositing with agencies providing unrestricted, no-charge access to public records; or otherwise providing for immediate access to and inspection of bids and proposal documents by prospective bidders, subcontractors, suppliers, and the public.
(2) Best value procurement (BVP) means a method of procurement required by the City Charter section 14.3(d) for contracts for public improvements, which awards a contract to a competitive bidder based on a set of criteria the city has determined is essential for its contractors to have and is not based solely on the lowest bid price.
(3) Bidder means a vendor who has responded to a solicitation.
(4) Craft labor means individuals in positions that include higher skilled occupations in construction (building trades craft workers and their formal apprentices). Examples of these types of positions include: boilermakers; brick and stone masons; carpenters; electricians; painters; glaziers; pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters; plasterers; roofers; and elevator installers. This category also includes some production occupations that are distinguished by the high degree of skill and precision required to perform them, based on clearly defined task specifications, such as: millwrights; etchers and engravers; tool and die makers; and pattern makers.
(5) Bond means specific security required as part of procurement and includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Bid security bond: a bond provided by a guarantor, satisfactory to the city and authorized to do business in the state, or the equivalent in cash, or otherwise supplied in a form acceptable to city and approved by the City Attorney to ensure that a bidder shall not withdraw its bid.
(b) Payment bond: a bond provided by a guarantor, satisfactory to the city and authorized to do business in the state, or the equivalent in cash, or otherwise supplied in a form acceptable to the city and approved by the City Attorney, which assures payments, as required by law, to all persons supplying labor or material for completion of work under the contract.
(c) Performance bond: a bond provided by a guarantor, satisfactory to the city and authorized to do business in the state, purchased by the successful bidder to protect the city from loss if the bidder is unable to complete the contract as agreed and which secures the fulfillment of all contract requirements.
(6) Competitive bidding means a solicitation process where multiple suppliers or service providers have the opportunity to submit pricing, cost or fees in the form of bids or quotes for a specific project, product, or service, as a way to ensure fairness, transparency, and cost-effectiveness in procurement.
(7) Council approval threshold means the dollar limit within which purchases may be made and contracts entered into without Council approval. The Council approval threshold is $90,000.00.
(8) Goods means 1 or more item of personal property, supplies, materials, equipment, or other goods.
(9) E-publishing means the process of publishing ITB, RFP, or RFI document electronically on the internet directly or through a bid notification system such as the Michigan Intergovernmental Trade Network (MITN) e-procurement initiative or similar internet site.
(10) Invitation to bid (ITB) means a formal request to prospective bidders soliciting price quotations or bids, and which contains, or incorporates by reference, the specifications or scope of work and all contractual terms and conditions.
(11) Local vendor means a vendor that operates a business within the legal boundaries of the City of Ann Arbor. To be considered a local vendor, the vendor must have a verifiable business address (not a P.O. Box) at which business is being conducted and the vendor must also agree to comply with all other policies and requirements of the ITB/RFP.
(13) Procurement means buying, purchasing, renting, leasing, or otherwise acquiring any goods or services. It also includes all functions that pertain to the obtaining of any goods or services, including description of requirements, selection and solicitation of sources, preparation and award of contracts, and all phases of contract administration.
(14) Professional services means a type of services rendered by members of a recognized profession or specialty which involve analysis, exercise of discretion, and independent judgment in their performance, and an advanced, specialized type of knowledge, expertise, or training customarily acquired either by a prolonged course of study or equivalent experience in the field, and for these reasons are unique and not subject to price competition in the usual sense. Examples of professional services typically acquired by the city include appraisal, architectural and engineering services, software development/design, legal services, and medical services.
(15) Purchasing Agent means the principal public purchasing official for the city, or their designee, who is responsible for overseeing and coordinating city procurement and disposal of city assets.
(16) Request for information (RFI) means a request to potential bidders for information concerning an item or service that will assist the responsible service area of the city in the development of contract specifications.
(17) Request for quote (RFQ) means an informal competitive bid solicitation or request for information, where oral or written quotes are obtained from vendors, without formal advertising or receipt of "sealed" bids.
(18) Request for proposal (RFP) means a more detailed, formal competitive bid solicitation method used when it is expected that negotiations with 1 or more bidders may be required with respect to any aspect of the contract requirements.
(19) Responsive bidder means a person or entity who has submitted a bid, which conforms in all respects to the requirements set forth in the ITB/RFP or other solicitation for bids.
(20) Services means the furnishing of labor, skill, advice, or effort, as opposed to furnishing goods.
(21) Solicitation means a request for quotes, a request for proposals, or an invitation to bid.
(22) Vendor means any person or entity who offers goods for purchase or services for hire.
(Ord. No. 07-61, § 2, 1-22-08; Ord. No. 09-16, § 1, 5-18-09; Ord. No. 20-21, § 1, 7-20-20; Ord. No. 21-41, § 1, 1-3-22; Ord. No. 22-18, § 1, 1-9-23; Ord. No. 25-28, § 1, 10-6-25)
Source: City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mi/ann_arbor/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIAD_CH14PUCOSEPR_1_312DEFetched: 11/8/2026