Public Works Projects.  Public entities are required to go through a competitive bid process for public works projects estimated to cost over a certain dollar amount.  That amount varies depending on the entity and how many trades may be involved in the project.  The awarded contract must go to the responsible bidder who submits the lowest responsive bid.

Bid Limits for Public Institutions of Higher Education.  The bid limit established for a competitive sealed bid process for a regional university, state university, or community and technical college (CTC) is limited to an amount equal to or more than $90,000 for any building, construction, renovation, remodeling, or demolition, or other maintenance and repairs.  If the work only involves one trade or craft area, the amount may be equal to or more than $45,000.

The bid limits established for public works projects at a regional university, state university, or CTC are increased.  For any building, construction, renovation, remodeling, or demolition, or other maintenance and repairs, the bid limit is increased from $90,000 to $110,000.  For work involving only one trade or craft area it is increased from $45,000 to $90,000.

PRO: Bid limits have not been updated since 2009. More work could be done to keep our institutions in good repair more efficiently if they were adjusted. This is good, common sense pro worker policy. This bill is timely and necessary. With significant increases in materials cost, even minor repair projects are being forced into competitive bidding processes. This bill will save workers time and save the state money. Bid limits should be raised on an inflationary basis.