Finance and Management Committee
October 27, 2026
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Elizabeth Lake FROM: Bradley Johnson
Interim City Administrator Finance Director
SUBJECT: City Administrator Contract Authority
Report, FY 2023-24, FY 2024-25,
FY 2025-26
DATE: September 10, 2026
City Administrator Approval Date:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends That The City Council Receive An Informational Report On All Purchases and Contracts Authorized By The City Administrator, Within The City Administrator’s Contract Authority During Fiscal Years 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26, In Accordance With The Oakland Municipal Code Section 2.04.020.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report satisfies the reporting requirements specified under Oakland Municipal Code (OMC) Section 2.04.020.C, which requires the City Administrator to present a report to the City Council listing all purchases and contracts authorized by the City Administrator, within the City Administrator’s contract authority. This report presents information for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24, FY 2024-25, and FY 2025-26.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
The goal of the City's purchasing and contracting function is to procure the highest quality materials and services at the most economical price, in accordance with all Federal, State, and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations.
Legislation Governing Contracting
Contracting is governed by various Federal, State, and local codes and policies. Key contracting codes and policies include:
1. United States Code, Title 41 - Public Contracts requires full and open competition, responsible source, competitive procedures, and antitrust provisions
2. Oakland City Charter, Article VIII, Fiscal Administration, Sections 807 & 808 - Goods and Services and Bids and Awards
3. Oakland Municipal Code, Section 2.04 - Purchasing System
4. Oakland Administrative Instructions: AI 150 - Professional or Specialized Service Contracts, and AI 4323 - Procurement - Goods and Services Elizabeth Lake (Oct 9, 2026 09:38:16 PDT) Oct 9, 2026
Elizabeth Lake, Interim City Administrator
Subject: CAO Contract Authority report FY2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 Date: September 10, 2026 Page 2
Finance and Management Committee
October 27, 2026
Overview of City Administrator Authority
OMC Section 2.04.020 provides the City Administrator with the authority, without previous specific action of the City Council, to bind the City by written contract or purchase order for most purchases up to $250,000.00 in any single transaction or term agreement for supplies, services, or a combination, and for professional service agreements. Notably, there is no limitation on the City Administrator’s authority to make awards to the same vendor on multiple transactions if each single transaction is compliant with these provisions.
The City utilizes three tracks for procurements under the City Administrator’s authority depending on the nature of the procurement, as shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Solicitation (RFx) Authority by Contract Type:
Category Construction
Contracts
Professional Services
& Grant Agreements
Contract Purchase
Orders
Transaction
Types
Construction,
alteration, demolition,
repair work, street,
sewer other
improvements, road
construction contracts
Services requiring
personal expertise,
licensure, unique or
special training, (e.g.,
architectural and
engineering services)
Maintenance, repair
and operations;
supplies, materials;
equipment, and
services related to
material and
equipment contracts
Award basis Lowest, responsible/
bid-based
qualifications
Qualifications based,
best value
Lowest, responsible/
responsive bid
Administrator
Authority
(Informal RFx
Process)
$49,999 $49,999 $49,999
Administrator
Authority
(Formal RFx
Process)
$250,000 $250,000 $250,000
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
The City Administrator approved a total of approximately $23.6M in FY 2023-24; $24M in FY 2024-25; and $13.6M in FY 2025-26 in contracts, excluding emergency contracts. All emergency contracts awarded by the City Administrator shall be presented in separate reports by the individual departments per OMC 2.04.020F and OMC 2.04.020G. Individual contract awards for FY 2023-24, FY 2024-25, and FY 2025-26 are reported in Attachment A. This attachment lists each contract authorized under the City Administrator during these reporting periods, sorted by department. A brief description of the purpose of each procurement is also provided, as well as the individual City department served.
As indicated in Attachment A, there were no instances of vendors receiving awards exceeding the City Administrator’s authority in FY 2022-23. In one instance, individual vendor received multiple awards that totaled over $250,000, but we found no evidence that such awards were Elizabeth Lake, Interim City Administrator
Subject: CAO Contract Authority report FY2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 Date: September 10, 2026 Page 3
Finance and Management Committee
October 27, 2026
intended to break up a larger project or otherwise contravene the City Council’s authority to approve contracts over $250,000. CPS HR Consulting received awards on three projects for the Human Resources Department. All awards appear compliant with the contracting authority delegated to the City Administrator per OMC 2.04.020.
RELATED PLANNING EFFORTS
This agenda item is a routine item and does not relate to any Oakland strategic planning efforts.
FISCAL IMPACT
This item is for informational purposes only and does not have a direct fiscal impact or cost.
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
No outreach was deemed necessary for the proposed policy action beyond the standard City Council agenda noticing procedures because this report is for informational purposes only.
COORDINATION
This report was prepared by the Procurement, Contracts & Purchasing Bureau.
RACE AND EQUITY
OMC 2.04 establishes requirements for the participation of small and local businesses in City contracts and vendor preferences. These requirements apply to all solicitations regardless of whether they are executed by the City Administrator or approved by the Council. This informational report lists all purchases and contracts authorized by the City Administrator and provides assurance to policy makers and the members of the public that these awards are compliant with the contracting authority delegated to the City Administrator per OMC 2.04.020.
While no direct race or equity opportunities are associated with this informational report, it provides a foundation upon which policymakers may consider further actions to promote these goals.
Elizabeth Lake, Interim City Administrator
Subject: CAO Contract Authority report FY2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 Date: September 10, 2026 Page 4
Finance and Management Committee
October 27, 2026
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff Recommends That The City Council Receive This Informational Report On All Purchases And Contracts Authorized By The City Administrator, Within The City Administrator’s Contract Authority During Fiscal Years 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26, In Accordance With The Oakland Municipal Code Section 2.04.020.
For questions regarding this report, please contact Laura Gonzales-Woodward, Interim Contracts & Purchasing Administrator, at 510-238-7154.
Respectfully submitted,
BRADLEY JOHNSON
Finance Director, Finance Department
Prepared by:
Laura Gonzales-Woodward,
Interim Contracts & Purchasing Administrator
Procurement, Contracts & Purchasing Bureau
Attachments (1):
Attachment A – City Administrator’s Office – Approved Contracts, July 2023 – June 2026