(A) Specifications describing the character of the articles that the department of transportation is proposing to purchase, and the conditions governing shipment and delivery, shall be kept on file at the department and open to public inspection throughout the time during which an invitation to bidders is required to be posted. The director of transportation may require bids to be accompanied by a certified check payable to the director in an amount fixed by the director and stated in the invitation to bidders. Persons, firms, or corporations desiring to bid on more than one invitation shall be relieved from furnishing certified checks with their bids provided they first furnish a bond payable to the state, in an amount and with surety approved by the director, conditioned for the faithful performances of all contracts that may be awarded to them, and otherwise conditioned as the director requires. All bids shall be publicly opened and read at the time and place mentioned in the notice. All purchases shall be made by the director from the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for each item in accordance with section 9.312 of the Revised Code, except where the director has established in the bidding documents a provision for multiple awards for the purchase of items such as asphalt, aggregates, machinery parts, and others as the director determines necessary, and except that in the purchase of machinery, equipment, or supplies for which fixed and definite specifications cannot be prepared, the director may purchase the articles meeting the general specifications prescribed and which the director finds are most suitable for the uses intended. Sections 5513.01 to 5513.04 of the Revised Code shall apply to the exchange of machinery and equipment and in force account operations where the director desires to combine in one order the furnishing, hauling, and placing of material. The director may purchase or authorize the purchase without notice, or upon such notice as the director prescribes, of materials that in the director's judgment may be required for the immediate repair of roads or bridges destroyed or damaged by flood, landslide, or other casualty. No person shall place separate orders for the purpose of defeating such sections, and contracts of purchase shall not be valid unless made in conformity with this section.

(B) Section 125.092 and division (B) of section 125.11 of the Revised Code apply to the purchase of products by the director pursuant to sections 5513.01 to 5513.04 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.20, SB 131, §1, eff. 5/31/2010.

Effective Date: 09-16-1998 .