HB236 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy Davis

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

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

Summary

HB236 would require most Alabama public bids to be submitted electronically through a secure system, with certain exceptions and local preference options.

What This Bill Does

It would require awarding authorities to allow electronic bids for competitive purchases, with bids needing electronic signatures and remaining sealed until bid opening; bid documents would be posted online at bid release and records stored for at least six years. It sets advertising thresholds for public works (over $50,000 and over $500,000) and specifies newspaper publication requirements, while also outlining several exceptions and emergencies. It also creates local preference zones to favor local bidders within 5% of the lowest bid and allows certain joint purchasing arrangements.

Who It Affects

• Awarding authorities (state agencies, counties, municipalities and their instrumentalities) would need to implement and enforce electronic bidding and the associated advertising and record-keeping rules, with some entities explicitly excluded.
• Bidders and vendors (including local, woman-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and small-business entities) would bid electronically using digital signatures and could be advantaged by local preference rules, while needing to comply with electronic submission and record-keeping requirements.

Key Provisions

• Require electronic bids in a secure, interactive environment for all purchases requiring competitive bidding; bidders may choose electronic submission; bids are sealed until the opening and posted online at release; records stored for at least six years; providers must protect awarding authorities from electronic bid issues.
• Public works bidding thresholds: contracts over $50,000 require sealed bids; contracts over $500,000 require publication in three newspapers (with certain exemptions); exceptions for specific agencies and for smaller contracts and emergencies.
• Exceptions and special rules: emergency authorizations without public advertisement; sole-source and certain prequalification provisions; architectural/engineering support exclusions; confidentiality provisions for security-related projects; pre-bid meeting timing requirements.
• Local preference and joint purchasing: allows creation of a local preference zone; resident bidders within 5% of the lowest bid can win the contract; allows joint purchasing/bidding agreements among agencies; potential price adjustments and negotiation rights when only one bid is received.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective October 1, 2017.

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