Local Preference

To support a sustainable local economy, the County of Sonoma gives preference to local suppliers when purchasing goods and services.

Local Preference – Goods

A local supplier is a business with:

• A valid business license (if required by the city), and
• A principal or satellite office with at least one full-time employee in Sonoma County.

How it works

• If the lowest responsible bidder is not local, a local bidder within 5% of that price may be invited to match it within three business days.
• If declined, the next lowest local bidder within 5% will be given the same opportunity, until the award is made.
• If bids are tied, preference goes to the local business.
• No local-awarded contract may assign or subcontract more than 50% of its value to non-local entities.
• False claims of local status may result in debarment.

Local Preference – Services

The County promotes local employment and business opportunities whenever possible.

• Informal Procurement: Departments consider locality when selecting consultants. If qualifications are equal, the local provider should be chosen.
• Formal RFPs: Local providers receive a 5% scoring preference in quantitative evaluations. For qualitative evaluations, locality is considered alongside other factors.
• Exceptions: Cooperative purchasing agreements, contracts funded by other governments that prohibit local preference, emergency/noncompetitive situations, and services under $5,000.
• Limits: No more than 50% of a local-awarded contract may be subcontracted to non-local businesses.

Local status requires a signed declaration and may be reviewed at the discretion of the Purchasing Agent.