SB195 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Competitive bids, Internet procedures required under certain conditions, Secs. 39-2-2, 41-16-50 am'd.

Summary

SB195 would require most awarding authorities to accept secure electronic bids for certain public works, with specific exceptions and added bidding rules.

What This Bill Does

It amends Alabama bidding laws to require electronic bid submissions in a secure, interactive environment for public works projects over certain thresholds, with bids protected until opening. It preserves traditional bidding requirements and adds exceptions for certain agencies and circumstances, including emergency purchases and small contracts. It also introduces local resident bid preferences, strengthens sole-source and confidentiality provisions, and sets penalties for violations, while enabling joint purchasing among agencies.

Who It Affects

• Awarding authorities (state, counties, municipalities, and their instrumentalities) would be required to implement electronic bidding provisions and follow updated advertisement and bidding rules.
• Bidders/contractors (including local firms) would be able to submit electronic bids with an electronic signature, face local preference considerations in some purchases, and be subject to exceptions if they lack high-speed internet.

Key Provisions

• Requires electronic bid submissions for public works contracts over $50,000 in a secure, interactive electronic environment; bids are submitted with an electronic signature and cannot be viewed until bid opening; bidder may choose electronic or traditional bidding.
• Exceptions include the Building Commission and State Board of Education; authorities without high-speed Internet; emergency procurements without public advertisement; and contracts for $50,000 or less may be let with or without bidding.
• Allows local preference zones to favor resident bidders if bids within 3% of the lowest responsible bid; permits joint purchasing agreements among multiple agencies; requires documentation and review for sole-source procurements and imposes confidentiality in certain security-related scenarios.
• Violations of bidding requirements can void contracts and may subject violators to Class C felony penalties; the act also clarifies advertising requirements and effective date (October 1, 2011).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Competitive Bids