Date:
October 27, 2026 22
To: Board of Supervisors
Title
Strengthening County Contracting to Maximize Taxpayer Savings, Improve Value, and Expand Local Business Opportunities (Districts: All)
End
Overview
County of San Diego (County) purchasing decisions should make the most of taxpayer dollars and give small and local businesses a meaningful opportunity to compete. The County uses cooperative contracts to purchase a wide range of goods and services, including information technology equipment, facilities supplies, medical products, and professional services, at pre-negotiated prices through joint purchasing organizations. These agreements offer speed and efficiency by eliminating the need for a full competitive solicitation for every purchase, but they require periodic review to confirm they continue to deliver competitive pricing, meet the specific resource and service needs of the County, and remain aligned with the County's commitment to small and local business participation.
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Fiscal Transparency and Accountability (FTAS), established by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) on November 18, 2025 (21) and the Department of Purchasing and Contracting (DPC) agreed that a systematic review of the County's cooperative contracts and processes should be conducted to identify opportunities for improvement. DPC completed this Phase 1 analysis, developed a draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for ongoing cooperative contract due diligence, and identified an approach that maximizes competitive value while expanding small and local business opportunities.
Today's action requests the Board to direct staff to receive an update from the FTAS and finalize the cooperative contract due diligence Standard Operating Procedures, which establishes clear criteria for evaluating pricing competitiveness, scope alignment, contract terms, small and local business participation, and the feasibility of a County-led alternative, ...
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