The purpose of the Purchasing Department is primarily to assist all City of New Bedford departments with any goods and services required by that department, utilizing the guidelines and General Laws of the state of Massachusetts.

Purchasing is also responsible for the processing of all purchase orders, working with the MIS and Auditing departments, to monitor the on-line budgets and to eliminate overspending by departments.

The Purchasing Department oversees Communications for City departments as well as Contract Compliance.