Open Market Purchases

In accordance with Delaware Code Title 29 Chapter 69 Sections 6922 and 6980 the State of Delaware divides “open market purchases” of professional and non-professional services into two groups based on the total estimated cost. The cost thresholds for each group of either professional or non-professional services are identified on the Delaware Small Purchase Procedures and Threshold.

Neither of these cost threshold groups require completion of a competitive RFP process. The first cost threshold “Open Market Purchase” allows the state agency to go to the open market to identify a qualified vendor of the service and to purchase the service. The second cost threshold group “3 Written Quotes” or “3 Letter Bids” requires the state agency to attempt to obtain three written quotes for the service including an attempt to obtain one of the three quotes from an identified vendor in an Office of Supplier Diversity database(s). Therefore, all vendors are encouraged to research and determine if they are eligible to register with the Office of Supplier Diversity and be added to its database(s).