A. Unless otherwise provided by law, all public construction contracts exceeding Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) shall be let and awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, by open competitive bidding after solicitation for sealed bids, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Competitive Bidding Act of 1974. No work shall be commenced until a written contract is executed and all required bonds and insurance have been provided by the contractor to the awarding public agency.

B. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, in awarding public construction contracts exceeding Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), counties, cities, other local units of government and any public trust with a county or a municipality as its sole beneficiary may provide for a local bid preference of not more than five percent (5%) of the bid price if the awarding public agency determines that there is an economic benefit to the local area or economy. Provided, however, the local bidder or contractor must agree to perform the contract for the same price and terms as the bid proposed by the nonlocal bidder or contractor. Any bid preference granted hereunder must be in accordance with an established policy adopted by the governing body of the awarding public agency to clearly demonstrate the economic benefit to the local area or economy. Provided, further, no local bid preference shall be granted unless the local bidding entity is the second lowest qualified bid on the contract. The bid specifications shall clearly state that the bid is subject to a local bidder preference law. For purposes of this section, “local bid” means the bidding person is authorized to transact business in this state and maintains a bona fide establishment for transacting such business within this state. This provision does not apply to any construction contract for which federal funds are available for expenditure when its provisions may be in conflict with federal law or regulation.

C. Except as provided in subsection E of this section, other construction contracts for the purpose of making any public improvements or constructing any public building or making repairs to the same for Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) or less shall be let and awarded to the lowest responsible bidder by receipt of written bids or awarded on the basis of competitive quotes to the lowest responsible qualified contractor. Work may be commenced in accordance with the purchasing policies of the public agency.

D. Except as provided in subsection E of this section, other construction contracts for less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) may be negotiated with a qualified contractor. Work may be commenced in accordance with the purchasing policies of the public agency.

E. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to public construction for minor maintenance or minor repair work to public school district property. Other construction contracts for less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) may be negotiated with a qualified contractor. Construction contracts equal to or greater than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) but less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) shall be let and awarded to the lowest responsible bidder by receipt of written bids. No work shall be commenced on any construction contract until a written contract is executed and proof of insurance has been provided by the contractor to the awarding public agency.

F. The Construction and Properties Division of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services may award contracts using best value competitive proposals. As used in this subsection, “best value” means an optional contract award system which can evaluate and rank submitted competitive performance proposals to identify the proposal with the greatest value to the state. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services, pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, shall promulgate rules necessary to implement the provisions of this subsection.