S.C. Code Regs. § 19-445.2110
The provisions of this Regulation apply to every procurement made under emergency conditions that will not permit other source selection methods to be used.
An emergency condition is a situation which creates a threat to public health, welfare, or safety such as may arise by reason of floods, epidemics, riots, equipment failures, fire loss, or such other reason as may be proclaimed by either the Chief Procurement Officer or the head of a purchasing agency or a designee of either office. The existence of such conditions must create an immediate and serious need for supplies, services, information technology, or construction that cannot be met through normal procurement methods and the lack of which would seriously threaten:
Emergency procurement shall be limited to those supplies, services, information technology, or construction items necessary to meet the emergency.
Any governmental body may make emergency procurements when an emergency condition arises and the need cannot be met through normal procurement methods, provided that whenever practical, approval by either the head of a purchasing agency or his designee or the Chief Procurement Officer shall be obtained prior to the procurement.
The procedure used shall be selected to assure that the required supplies, services, information technology, or construction items are procured in time to meet the emergency. Given this constraint, such competition as is practicable shall be obtained.
Compliance with the notice requirements in Section 11-35-1570(B) must be documented in the procurement file.
The Chief Procurement Officer or the head of the purchasing agency or a designee of either office shall make a written determination stating the basis for an emergency procurement and for the selection of the particular contractor. The determination must contain sufficient factual grounds and reasoning to provide an informed, objective explanation for the decision.
S.C. Code Regs. 19-445.2110