AR SB409

Creates the "Fair Notice and Efficiency in Public Works Act" (Arkansas Code § 22-9-901 et seq.) to establish a statewide system for online advertisement of bid notices by local governmental units.

Establishes a Public Works Committee composed of the State Procurement Director, Arkansas Press Association Executive Director, Association of Arkansas Counties Executive Director, Arkansas Municipal League President, and Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators Executive Director to administer the act and review vendor performance.

Requires the Office of State Procurement to select three qualified vendors using professional services procurement procedures to provide online bid notice advertisement services, with vendors prohibited from having common ownership or direct financial interests with other selected vendors.

Allows counties, cities, towns, and school districts to use selected vendors for online bid posting, with a 5-week transition period requiring concurrent newspaper publication, plus adoption of resolutions and ordinances designating the websites.

Permits sealed bids to be submitted in written or electronic media format and imposes Class B misdemeanor penalties and 5-year service prohibitions for vendors who knowingly violate the act, with damages owed to affected public agencies.