The mission of the Purchasing Division is to purchase goods, services, construction and insurance at the request and in support of departments of the City of Alexandria government in order that those departments may respond to the needs of the citizens of the City in an efficient and cost effective manner. Activities of the personnel of the Purchasing Division shall be performed in a manner that guarantees the integrity of the purchasing process, and that all vendors and City personnel are treated equitably and professionally.

The government of the City of Alexandria consists of 31 departments with an annual budget of more than $771 million. These departments purchase a variety of goods and services ranging from pencils to multi-million dollar construction projects.

Some City functions and legally independent authorities have been exempted from purchasing through the Purchasing Division. Some City departments also have received specific delegations of purchasing authority and responsibility. All expenditures of public funds must, though, be made under the authority and procedures of the purchasing provisions of Virginia law or the City Code.