2014 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 61. Public Buildings and Public Works
§61-103. Governing law - Solicitation and award of contracts.

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. Except as provided in subsection D 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.

C. Except as provided in subsection D 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.

D. 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.

E. 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.

F. 1. A public agency shall not let or award a public construction contract exceeding Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) to any contractor affiliated with a purchasing cooperative unless the purchasing cooperative and the contractor have complied with all of the provisions of the Competitive Bidding Act of 1974, including but not limited to open competitive bidding after solicitation for sealed bids. A public agency shall not let or award a public construction contract exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) up to Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) to any contractor affiliated with a purchasing cooperative unless the purchasing cooperative and the contractor have complied with all of the provisions of the Public Competitive Bidding Act of 1974, including submission of a written bid upon notice of competitive bidding.

2. A purchasing cooperative and its affiliated contractors shall not be allowed to bid on any public construction contract exceeding Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) unless the purchasing cooperative and its affiliated contractors have complied with all of the provisions of the Public Competitive Bidding Act of 1974, including but not limited to open competitive bidding after solicitation for sealed bids. A purchasing cooperative and its affiliated contractors shall not be allowed to bid on any public construction contract exceeding Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) unless the purchasing cooperative and its affiliated contractors have complied with all of the provisions of the Public Competitive Bidding Act of 1974, including submission of a written bid upon notice of open competitive bidding.

Added by Laws 1974, c. 298, § 3, operative Aug. 1, 1974. Amended by Laws 1975, c. 266, § 2, emerg. eff. June 5, 1975; Laws 2001, c. 298, § 2, emerg. eff. May 31, 2001; Laws 2006, c. 271, § 15, eff. July 1, 2006; Laws 2010, c. 98, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2010; Laws 2011, c. 362, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2011; Laws 2012, c. 304, § 312; Laws 2013, c. 186, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2013.