HB349 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Section 39-2-6 to allow awarding authorities to negotiate with the lowest responsible and responsive bidder when all received bids exceed available funding for a contract.

• Negotiation authority requires the awarding authority to document a funding shortage, demonstrate that time is of the essence, and ensure negotiated changes are in the public interest and do not materially alter the project's scope and nature.

• Applies only when two or more bids are received; maintains existing provisions for cases with no bids or only one bid received.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.