Article 2. Contracts of California Public Utilities Code >> Division 10. >> Part 14. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 2.

The district may make contracts and enter into stipulations of any nature whatsoever, either in connection with eminent domain proceedings or otherwise, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, contracts and stipulations to indemnify and save harmless, to employ labor, and to do all acts necessary and convenient for the full exercise of the powers granted in this part.

The district may contract with any department or agency of the United States of America, with any public agency, or with any person upon such terms and conditions as the board finds is for the best interest of the district.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), contracts for the purchase of supplies, equipment, and materials in excess of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) shall be by contract let to the lowest responsible bidder or, in the district's discretion, to the responsible bidder that submitted a proposal that provides the best value, as defined in paragraph (1), to the district on the basis of the factors identified in the solicitation.
  (1) For purposes of this section, "best value" means the overall combination of quality, price, and other elements of a proposal that, when considered together, provide the greatest overall benefit in response to the requirements described in the solicitation documents.
  (2) To the extent practicable, when the expected procurement required exceeds three thousand dollars ($3,000) but does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), a minimum of three quotations shall be obtained, either written or oral, which permit prices and other terms to be compared.
  (b) The provisions of subdivision (a) do not apply in the case of an emergency declared by a four-fifths vote of the board of directors.
  (c) This section applies solely to the procurement of supplies, equipment, and materials and shall not apply to construction contracts.

Notwithstanding Section 102222 or any other provision of law, the district may procure one or more streetcars that operated more than 50 years ago in the district's service area without having to comply with competitive bidding procedures.

The district may insure against any accident or destruction of the system or any part thereof. The district may insure against loss of revenues from any cause whatsoever. It may provide, in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of any bonds, for the carrying of insurance in such amount and of such character as may be specified, and for the payment of the premiums thereon. The district may also provide insurance as provided in Part 6 (commencing with Section 989), Division 3.6, Title 1 of the Government Code.

The district may contract for the services of independent contractors.