SB15 Summary

• Amends Section 16-13B-2 and Section 41-16-51 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to clarify competitive bidding exemptions for city and county boards of education and governmental entities.

• Specifies that purchases, leases, and lease/purchase agreements made through national or regional cooperative purchasing programs (such as those sponsored by the National Association of Counties) are exempt from competitive bidding requirements.

• Requires that goods or services obtained through cooperative purchasing must result from a competitive bid process approved by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts and be available at prices equal to or less than state purchasing program rates.

• Maintains the requirement that purchases through cooperative agreements must be made through participating Alabama vendors holding Alabama business licenses when such vendors exist.

• Became effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor, passing the Senate with a 28-0 vote on February 1, 2021.