AL HB170

Amends Alabama's Competitive Bid Law (Sections 16-13B-2 and 16-13B-7) to allow purchases from vendors holding general services administration contracts, provided prices do not exceed the lowest competitively bid price or state purchasing program prices.

Permits purchases of goods or services through competitive bid nationwide cooperative purchasing programs (such as those sponsored by the National Association of Counties) if the goods or services result from a competitive bid process and are priced at or below state purchasing program rates.

Adds exemption for voice or wireless communications services when purchased through cooperative purchasing programs.

Specifies requirements for sole source purchases for construction projects, including documentation that the product or service is indispensable, no other viable alternatives exist, and recommendations are provided by the architect or engineer of record.

Establishes contract length limits: personal property and contractual services contracts not to exceed 3 years; lease-purchase contracts for capital improvements and real property repairs not to exceed 10 years; all other lease-purchase contracts not to exceed 10 years.