Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: June 3, 2026
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
FROM: Carrie Mathes, FNIGP, CFCM, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M., Manager II, Procurement Division
CONTACT: Heather Wallace, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney’s Office
PHONE: 407-836-5664
SUBJECT: Resolution of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners regarding memorializing authority for the Procurement Manager to execute Purchase Orders for Owner Direct Purchases
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval and execution of Resolution of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners regarding memorializing authority for the Procurement Manager to execute Purchase Orders for Owner Direct Purchases. All Districts.
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PROCUREMENT:
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FUNDING:
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DISCUSSION:
Section 212.08(6), Florida Statutes, authorizes governmental entities to directly purchase materials that are incorporated into public construction projects. Commonly referred to as Owner Direct Purchases (ODPs), this process enables Orange County to realize significant savings by avoiding the payment of sales tax on eligible construction materials.
Orange County has successfully utilized the ODP process for many years as a cost-saving strategy on construction projects. Under an ODP arrangement, the County must issue a purchase order directly to the material supplier rather than through the construction contractor. While the construction contract itself is competitively solicited and approved by the Board, the associated purchase orders issued to effectuate the ODP may exceed the County’s formal solicitation threshold.
Historically, the Procurement Manager has executed these purchase orders as an administrative function necessary to implement Board-approved construction contracts and to facilitate the County’s participation in the ODP process. The proposed Resolution formally memorializes this long-standing practice and clarifies the authority of the Procurement Manager to issue and execute purchase orders associated with Owner Direct Purchases, including those that exceed the formal solicitation threshold, provided the underlying construction contract has previously been approved by the Board.
This action does not modify the County’s procurement thresholds, competitive solicitation requirements, or Board approval authorities for contracts. Rather, it confirms the Procurement Manager’s authority to administer purchase orders necessary to implement Board-approved contracts and continue the County’s use of the ODP process as a means of generating construction cost savings.
Approval of this Resolution will ensure continued administrative efficiency, support compliance with Section 212.08(6), Florida Statutes, and allow the County to continue maximizing taxpayer savings through Owner Direct Purchases.