(A) The county engineer may, when authorized by the board of county commissioners and not required by this section or other law to use competitive bidding, employ such laborers and vehicles, use such county employees and property, lease such implements and tools, and purchase such materials as are necessary in the construction, reconstruction, improvement, maintenance, or repair of roads by force account.

In determining whether construction or reconstruction, including widening and resurfacing, of roads may be undertaken by force account, the county engineer shall first cause to be made an estimate of the cost of such work using the force account project assessment form developed by the auditor of state under section 117.16 of the Revised Code. When the total estimated cost of the work exceeds thirty thousand dollars per mile, the county commissioners shall invite and receive competitive bids for furnishing all the labor, materials, and equipment necessary to complete the work in accordance with sections 307.86 to 307.92 of the Revised Code.

(B) The county engineer may, when authorized by the board of county commissioners and not required by this section or other law to use competitive bidding, employ such laborers and vehicles, use such county employees and property, lease such implements and tools, and purchase such materials as are necessary in the construction, reconstruction, improvement, maintenance, or repair of bridges and culverts by force account.

In determining whether such construction, reconstruction, improvement, maintenance, or repair of bridges or culverts may be undertaken by force account, the county engineer shall first cause to be made an estimate of the cost of such work using the force account project assessment form. When the total estimated cost of the work exceeds one hundred thousand dollars, the board of county commissioners shall invite and receive competitive bids for furnishing all the labor, materials, and equipment necessary to complete the work, in accordance with sections 307.86 to 307.92 of the Revised Code. The county engineer shall obtain the approval required by section 5543.02 of the Revised Code.

(C) "Force account," as used in this section means that the county engineer will act as contractor, using labor employed by the engineer using material and equipment either owned by the county or leased or purchased in compliance with sections 307.86 to 307.92 of the Revised Code and excludes subcontracting any part of such work unless done pursuant to sections 307.86 to 307.92 of the Revised Code.

The term "competitive bids" as used in this section requires competition for the whole contract and in regard to its component parts, including labor and materials. Neither plans nor specifications shall be drawn to favor any manufacturer or bidder unless required by the public interest.

Effective Date: 03-31-2003 .