HI HB2036

Adds a new section to Chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, establishing a competitive sealed bidding process that awards contracts to the second lowest responsible and responsive bidder rather than the lowest bidder.

Requires invitations for bids to include purchase descriptions, contractual terms, and conditions; for construction projects, bidders must identify joint contractors or subcontractors and the nature of their work.

Mandates public opening of bids with witnesses present, recording of bid amounts and bidder names, and that all bids and records remain open to public inspection.

Allows the head of a purchasing agency to negotiate an adjustment of the second lowest bid price with that bidder if all bids exceed available funds and time or economic considerations preclude resolicitation.

Adds the new second lowest bidder method as an optional competitive procurement method to Section 103D-301, alongside existing methods including competitive sealed bids, sealed proposals, professional services, small purchases, sole source, and emergency procurements.