(a) General rule.--The highest responsible bidder shall be the one who, having complied with the terms of the official notice of sale, offers to take all of the bonds or notes or any separate lot thereof on which separate bids may be made at the lowest net interest cost to the local government unit, or, if required by the terms of any agreement with the Federal Government or the Commonwealth or any agency of either of them, the highest responsible bidder shall be the one bidding in conformity with the requirements for the successful bidder stipulated in the agreement. The net interest cost shall be computed in accordance with section 8169 (relating to determination of net interest cost and net interest rate).
(b) Tie bids.--If two or more proposals are found to be the highest and best bids on identical terms conforming to the offering, the bonds or notes shall with the consent of the bidders be awarded to them jointly or absent such consent may be awarded to any one of the bidders selected by lot in any manner deemed fair by the local government unit.