(a) (1) All contracts for any improvement or unit of work, if the cost according to the estimate of the engineer will exceed thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder or bidders as provided in this article. The board shall first determine whether the contract shall be let as a single unit or divided into severable parts, or both.

(2) All contracts for any improvement or unit of work, if the cost according to the estimate of the engineer is thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) or less, may be let without advertising for bids in accordance with procedures adopted by the board.

(b) The board shall call for bids and advertise the call pursuant to Section 6063 of the Government Code in the district, inviting sealed proposals for the construction or performance of the improvement or work before any contract is made. The call for bids shall state whether the work is to be performed as one unit or divided into severable specific parts.

(c) The work may be let under a single contract or several contracts, or both, as stated in the call. The board shall require the successful bidder or bidders to file with the board good and sufficient bonds to be approved by the board conditioned upon the faithful performance of the contract and upon the payment of their claims for labor and material. The bonds shall comply with Title 3 (commencing with Section 9000) of Part 6 of Division 4 of the Civil Code. The board may reject any bid.

(d) If all proposals are rejected or no proposals are received, or the estimated cost of the work does not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), or the work consists of channel protection, maintenance work, or emergency work, the board may have the work done by force account without advertising for bids. In case of an emergency, if notice for bids to let contracts will not be given, the board shall comply with Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 22050).

(e) The district may purchase in the open market, without advertising for bids, materials and supplies for use in any work either under contract or by force account.

(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 697, Sec. 73. (SB 189) Effective January 1, 2011. Operative July 1, 2012, by Sec. 105 of Ch. 697.)