Purchasing and Contracting

The SNWA is governed by the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) as they relate to Purchasing and Contracting activities. NRS Chapter 332 governs our purchases for commodities and professional services. Construction contracts are governed under NRS Chapter 338. These statutes give SNWA its purchasing and contracting authority which is delegated to its staff by SNWA's governing body, the SNWA Board of Directors.

Purchasing bonds and insurance requirements

There are typically four types of bonds required for Water Authority construction contracts and some purchases:

• Bid bond
• Performance bond
• Labor and Material bond
• Guaranteed bond

The following are types of contracts which require bonds and insurance:

• Construction contracts over $35,000 require all four types of bonds and insurance
• Performance bonds may be required for service contracts
• Insurance may be required on some commodity contracts and professional service contracts

Note: Bid bonds and performance bonds are rarely required on commodity contracts

How we purchase items

The Water Authority has three major criteria by which it handles purchases and contracts based on Nevada law.

For purchases of $25,000 or less, we are required to secure only a single quote for these items. Our Purchasing Division may contract for the service or item, or the department needing the product may acquire the bid.

Services and products that range from $25,000 to $50,000 require two or more informal quotes from parties capable of performing the contract.

Bids of $50,000 or more must be advertised and the responses sealed when they are returned. The Water Authority's Board of Directors or an authorized representative awards these bids.

Note: Bids and quotes are awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.