41-2672. On-line bidding

A. If a procurement officer determines that electronic, on-line bidding is more advantageous than other procurement methods provided in this chapter, a procurement officer may use on-line bidding to obtain bids electronically for the purchase of goods, services, construction and information services.

B. An on-line bidding solicitation must designate an opening date and time.

C. The closing date and time for an on-line solicitation may be fixed or remain open depending on the structure of the item being bid on line. Information regarding the closing date and time must be included in the solicitation. At the opening date and time, the purchasing agency must begin accepting on-line bids and must continue accepting bids until the bid is officially closed.

D. All on-line bids must be posted electronically and updated on a real-time basis.

E. Purchasing agencies may:

1. Require bidders to register before the opening date and time and, as part of that registration, require bidders to agree to any terms, conditions or other requirements of the solicitation.

2. Prequalify bidders and allow only those bidders who are prequalified to submit bids on line.

F. Purchasing agencies retain their existing authority to determine the criteria that will be used as a basis for making awards.

G. Sections 41-2533 and 41-2534 do not apply to solicitations issued pursuant to this section, except that:

1. All bids submitted electronically through an on-line bidding process are public information and are subject to the same public disclosure laws that govern bids received through the sealed bid process.

2. All remedies available to purchasing agencies and to bidders through the sealed bid process under this chapter are also available to purchasing agencies and bidders in an on-line bidding process.