SECTIONS 103220-103226

103220.  The district may make contracts and enter into stipulationsof any nature whatsoever, either in connection with eminent domainproceedings or otherwise, including, without limiting the generalityof the foregoing, contracts and stipulations to indemnify and saveharmless, to employ labor, and to do all acts necessary andconvenient for the full exercise of the powers granted in this part.103221.  The district may contract with any department or agency ofthe United States of America, with any public agency, or with anyperson upon such terms and conditions as the board finds is for thebest interest of the district.103222.  (a) The purchase of all supplies, equipment, and materials,when the expenditure required exceeds one hundred thousand dollars($100,000), shall be, by contract, let to the lowest responsiblebidder, or, in the district's discretion, to the responsible bidderwho submitted a proposal that provides the best value to the districton the basis of the factors identified in the solicitation. "Bestvalue" means the overall combination of quality, price, and otherelements of a proposal that, when considered together, provide thegreatest overall benefit in response to the requirements described inthe solicitation documents. (b) To the extent practicable, the district shall obtain a minimumof three quotations, either written or oral, that permit prices andterms to be compared whenever the expected expenditure required forthe purchase of supplies, equipment, or materials exceeds twothousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), but does not exceed onehundred thousand dollars ($100,000). (c) Notice requesting bids required by the section shall bepublished at least once in a newspaper of general circulation and onthe district's procurement Internet Web site, which publication shallbe made at least 10 days before the bids are received. The board mayreject any and all bids and readvertise at its discretion. (d) This section applies solely to the procurement of supplies,equipment, and materials, and shall not apply to constructioncontracts.103223.  If, after rejecting bids received under Section 103222, theboard determines and declares by a two-thirds vote of all of itsmembers that, in its opinion, the supplies, equipment, or materialsmay be purchased at a lower price in the open market, the board mayproceed to purchase these supplies, equipment, or materials in theopen market without further observance of the provisions regardingcontracts, bids, or advertisements.103225.  The district may insure against any accident or destructionof the system or any part thereof. The district may insure againstloss of revenues from any cause whatsoever. It may provide, in theproceedings authorizing the issuance of any bonds, for the carryingof insurance in such amount and of such character as may bespecified, and for the payment of the premiums thereon. The districtmay also provide insurance as provided in Part 6 (commencing withSection 989), Division 3.6, Title 1 of the Government Code.103226.  The district may contract for the services of independentcontractors.