If the several parts of the work or labor to be done or the supplies, materials and
equipment to be furnished shall together or in part involve the expenditure of more
than $50,000.00, such work or labor or supplies, materials, or equipment shall be
procured only by contract on public letting founded on sealed bids under such regulations
as shall be made by the board of commissioners or other county authority. The terms
of such contracts, subject to such regulations and in conformity with law, shall be
settled by the county attorney as an act of preliminary specification to a proposal
for bids. The agency letting the contract and the board of commissioners may reject
all bids if it shall deem it in the interest of the county so to do; if not, it shall,
without other consent or approval, award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder.
Such bids shall not be accepted after the time limit stated in the proposal for bids
and shall not be opened except in the presence of both the county purchasing agent,
or the designee thereof, and the head of the agency requesting the items. Tie bids
shall be decided by the agency letting the contract. Whenever a contract is awarded
to another than the lowest bidder, the agency awarding the same shall file in its
office and with said county authority a statement in detail of the reasons therefor.
