Purchasing

All bids must be submitted electronically through the Purchasing Department's Vendor Registry webpage. Please view instructions on how to submit bids electronically (PDF) through this system. As always, emailed/faxed bids will not be accepted. Your bid must be submitted electronically through Georgetown County's Purchasing Vendor Registry page to ensure it remains sealed until the scheduled bid opening date and time.

While we transition from the COVID-19 pandemic, bid openings may be conducted virtually, in-person, or by a hybrid (in-person and virtual) method. See timeline within each individual bid document and/or any related addendum for details and method used. As always, bid openings will be accompanied by at least one witness and - following the bid opening - bid tabulation results will be posted online for the public's viewing.

Please feel free to email our office or call 843-545-3082 if you have any questions. 

Online Vendor & Bid Posting

Georgetown County is pleased to announce a new online vendor registration and bid posting system. Our new registration and bid posting system is powered by Vendor Registry. This new system will allow you to quickly register and input the products and services you provide. This will enable us and Vendor Registry to notify you of important solicitation opportunities in the future. We encourage you to click on the links below to:

Appointments with Purchasing

Although every effort will be made to accommodate vendors who arrive unannounced, it is preferred that an appointment be made by phone or email in advance. This will help ensure that meetings are advantageous to both parties.

Purchasing Department Functions

The Purchasing Officer operates under the guidelines set by County Council in Ordinance Number 20-32 (PDF), also known as the Purchasing Ordinance.

The Purchasing Department is responsible for procurement of all materials and supplies used by all county departments. Whenever practical, the county utilizes the principle of competitive bids, and makes awards to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

Purchasing solicits sealed bids for procurements that exceed $30,000, and which have not been otherwise awarded by a cooperative intergovernmental agreement with another agency. Such advertisement shall be publicized on a minimum of two publications, which can be electronic. Currently, bid requests are published every Wednesday on this webpage, in the South Carolina Business Opportunities online website, and in the Post and Courier.

Local Preference

This option allows the lowest local bidder whose bid is within 5% of the lowest non-local bidder to match the bid submitted by the non-local bidder, and thereby be awarded the contract. This preference shall apply only when:

  • The total dollar purchase is greater than $30,000
  • The vendor has a physical business address located and operating within the limits of Georgetown County and has been doing business in the county for a period of 12 months or more
  • The vendor provides proof of payment of all applicable Georgetown County taxes and fees if so requested.

Surplus Materials & Property for Sale

Georgetown County sells surplus goods and materials on the GovDeals auction website. 

Current approval limits are as follows:

  • The Purchasing Officer may award bids up to $50,000.
  • The County Administrator may approve awards up to and including $100,000.
  • County Council approves awards over $100,000.

Request for Proposals

Award shall be made to the responsive company whose proposal is determined to be the most advantageous to the county, taking into consideration price and the other evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposals.

Affirmative Action

All vendors will take affirmative action in complying with all federal and state requirements concerning fair employment and employment of the handicapped, and concerning the treatment of all employees, without regard or discrimination by reason of race, color, religion, sex, nationality or physical handicap.