HB382 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jack Williams
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Competitive bids, public works projects, life cycle costs may be considered in determining lowest responsible bid, life cycle costs, public works, and personal property further defined, local governments authorized to purchase goods and services through vendors with current contract with Government Services Administration without further competitive bidding, Secs. 39-2-1, 39-2-6, 41-16-51, 41-16-57 am'd.; Act 2009-653, 2009 Reg. Sess.; Act 2009-760, 2009 Reg. Sess. am'd. (2010-20971)
Summary: HB382 updates Alabama's public procurement by allowing life cycle costs to guide bid decisions, letting local governments buy from GSA-contracted vendors without new bidding, and clarifying terms such as life cycle costs and fixtures for public works and property.
What This Bill Does
Defines life cycle costs and public works, and allows awarding authorities to consider life cycle costs when determining the lowest responsible bidder on water or sewer public works projects. It requires that invitations to bid include a notice that life cycle costs may be used to select the lowest bidder. It authorizes local governments to purchase goods and services through vendors with current Government Services Administration contracts without further competitive bidding, with prices not exceeding the GSA contract. It also clarifies that personal property includes fixtures and amends related bidding definitions and processes.

Who It Affects
Local governments (counties, municipalities, and state agencies) and awarding authorities, who can use life cycle costs in bid evaluations and may purchase certain goods/services from GSA-contracted vendors without additional bidding.
Bidders, suppliers, and vendors who bid on public works and goods, who may be evaluated using life cycle costs and must follow updated bidding rules, notices, and contract duration limits.

Key Provisions
Life cycle costs are defined as the total ownership costs over the expected life of a water or sewer public works project, including construction, operation, and maintenance, minus salvage and environmental benefits.
For water and sewer public works projects, the awarding authority may determine the lowest bidder based on the bidder's life cycle costs, provided the bid still meets all other requirements and the notice to bidders explains this possibility.
Local governments may purchase goods and services through vendors with a current and valid Government Services Administration contract without further competitive bidding, with prices not exceeding the GSA contract.
Personal property definitions are clarified to include goods that are or will become fixtures, and life cycle cost considerations are incorporated into bid evaluations for relevant projects.
Several bidding exceptions and procedures remain or are clarified, including preferences for Alabama-produced goods where appropriate, and rules governing sole-source and default scenarios, contract durations, and public record accessibility.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Competitive Bids