Sec._2_611.___Eligibility_for_vendor_preference..docx

The document outlines the Dorchester County Vendor Preference policy, which aims to provide a preference to local vendors for county procurement. To be eligible for this preference, a vendor must be authorized to do business in the state, have a physical address in Dorchester County, hold a valid county or municipal business license for at least 12 months, and have paid all applicable county taxes and fees. The preference allows the lowest responsive and responsible local vendor within five percent of the lowest non-local vendor to match the bid and be awarded the contract for goods, supplies, or construction services valued at $75,000 or more. Vendors must submit an affidavit to claim the preference when bidding, and failure to do so waives the right to the preference. However, the preference does not apply if state or federal guidelines prohibit it or if the procurement is funded with state or federal monies that restrict such preferences.