HB97 Alabama 2019 Session

Under existing law, state contracts for goods and services in excess of $15,000 are generally required to be let to the lowest responsible bidder, although a state agency may award a contract to a preferred vendor, as defined, if the bid is not more than five percent greater than that of the lowest responsible bidder who is not a preferred vendor

This bill would establish a preference for bidders on state contracts which are geographically disadvantaged business enterprises and would require state contracts for goods or services to be let to geographically disadvantaged business enterprises if the bid is within three percent of the lowest responsible bid

This bill would require the Department of Finance to promulgate rules to achieve the objectives of the bill

Relating to the awarding of public contracts; to provide that in the letting of public contracts in which any state, county, or municipal funds are utilized, except those contracts funded in whole or in part with funds received from a federal agency, preference shall be given to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder who is a geographically disadvantaged business enterprise and whose bid is within three percent of the lowest responsible bid; to require the Department of Finance to adopt policies and procedures with the objective of increasing contracts for goods or services with geographically disadvantaged business enterprises; and to provide for awarding contracts to geographically disadvantaged business enterprises.