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The Dauphin County Purchasing Department consists of 4 full-time employees and 1 part-time employee. The Department co-ordinates and reviews the needs from the various County offices located in Harrisburg, PA. Purchases under $500 (with the exception of capital equipment and contracts) may be done by the individual Departments through use of a Field Limited Purchase Order and only need Department Directors' authorization. All requests over $500 (and all capital equipment and contract requests, regardless of dollar amount) are reviewed by the Purchasing Director and submitted to the Commissioners, on a bi-weekly basis, for final approval. Purchases between $10,000 and $18,500 require at least 3 quotes from qualified vendors; those purchases that are over $18,500 require formal, advertised Bids, must be opened at a public meeting and must be awarded to the lowest responsible Bidder. (There are some exceptions to these rules, such as professional services, maintenance and repairs and copyrighted or patented products) In lieu of bidding, the County participates in the State Contract Piggyback Purchasing Program, which allows us to take advantage of the States' bulk purchasing power.