2009 Iowa Code
Title 8 - Transportation
Subtitle 1 - Highways and Waterways
CHAPTER 314 - ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS FOR HIGHWAYS
314.1 - BIDDING PROCEDURES -- BASIS FOR AWARDING CONTRACTS.

        314.1  BIDDING PROCEDURES -- BASIS FOR AWARDING
      CONTRACTS.
         1.  The agency having charge of the receipt of bids and the award
      of contracts for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, or
      repair or maintenance of a highway, bridge, or culvert may require,
      for any highway, bridge, or culvert contract letting, that each
      bidder file with the agency a statement showing the bidder's
      financial standing, equipment, and experience in the execution of
      like or similar work.  The statements shall be on standard forms
      prepared by the department and shall be filed with the agency prior
      to the letting at which the bidder expects to bid.  The agency may,
      in advance of the letting, notify the bidder as to the amount and the
      nature of the work for which the bidder is deemed qualified to bid.
      A bidder who is prequalified under this subsection by the department
      shall be deemed qualified for a highway, bridge, or culvert contract
      letting by any other agency and shall submit proof of the
      prequalification in a manner determined by the department if required
      to do so by the agency.
         2.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a
      public improvement that involves the construction, reconstruction, or
      improvement of a highway, bridge, or culvert and that has a cost in
      excess of the applicable threshold in section 73A.18, 262.34, 297.7,
      309.40, 310.14, or 313.10, as modified by the bid threshold
      subcommittee pursuant to section 314.1B, shall be advertised and let
      for bid, except such public improvements that involve emergency work
      pursuant to section 309.40A, 313.10, or 384.103, subsection 2.  For a
      city having a population of fifty thousand or less, a public
      improvement that involves the construction, reconstruction, or
      improvement of a highway, bridge, or culvert that has a cost in
      excess of twenty-five thousand dollars, as modified by the bid
      threshold subcommittee pursuant to section 314.1B, shall be
      advertised and let for bid, excluding emergency work.  However, a
      public improvement that has an estimated total cost to a city in
      excess of a threshold of fifty thousand dollars, as modified by the
      bid threshold subcommittee pursuant to section 314.1B, and that
      involves the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of a
      highway, bridge, or culvert that is under the jurisdiction of a city
      with a population of more than fifty thousand, shall be advertised
      and let for bid.  Cities required to competitively bid highway,
      bridge, or culvert work shall do so in compliance with the contract
      letting procedures of sections 26.3 through 26.13.
         3.  In the award of contracts for the construction,
      reconstruction, improvement, or repair or maintenance of a highway,
      bridge, or culvert, the agency having charge of awarding such
      contracts shall give due consideration not only to the prices bid but
      also to the mechanical or other equipment and the financial
      responsibility and experience in the performance of like or similar
      contracts.  The agency may reject any or all bids.  The agency may
      readvertise and relet the project without conducting an additional
      public hearing if no substantial changes are made to the project's
      plans or specifications.  The agency may let by private contract or
      build by day labor, at a cost not in excess of the lowest bid
      received.
         Upon the completion of any contract or project on either the
      farm-to-market or secondary road system, the county engineer shall
      file with the county auditor a statement showing the total cost
      thereof with certificate that the work has been done in accordance
      with the plans and specifications.  Upon completion of a contract or
      project on the municipal street system, the city public works
      department or city engineer shall file with the city clerk a
      statement showing the total cost of the contract or project with a
      certificate that the work has been done in accordance with the plans
      and specifications.  All contracts shall be in writing and shall be
      secured by a bond for the faithful performance thereof as provided by
      law.  

         Section History: Early Form

         [S13, § 1527-s18; C24, § 4651, 4700; C27, 31, 35, § 4644-c41,
      4651, 4755-b11; C39, § 4644.39, 4651, 4686.15, 4755.11; C46, §
      309.57, 310.15, 313.11; C50, § 308A.10, 309.39; C54, § 309.39, 314.1;
      C58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, § 314.1] 

         Section History: Recent Form

         2001 Acts, ch 32, §7, 14; 2006 Acts, ch 1017, §27, 42, 43; 2006
      Acts, ch 1185, §80
         Referred to in § 314.1B, 314.14, 331.341