The Legislature finds and declares that the best interests of the taxpayers of Alabama are served when competition exists in the procurement of goods and services by state departments, boards, commissions, authorities, and instrumentalities of state government. Competitive bid requirements ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to compete for government procurements and it is imperative that officials charged with expending public funds conduct competitive processes which are open to all interested and qualified persons and businesses. In order to ensure fair and open competition in the procurement of goods and services, this article shall be liberally construed.