(a) The department, before making contracts on its own behalf, or when acting as an agent, shall advertise for bids at least two (2) weeks prior to the date set for receiving bids by publishing a written notice on the department's Internet web site. The department may advertise for bids by publishing notice in a newspaper located in the county where the money is to be expended, in one (1) of the widely circulated daily newspapers in the grand division of the state where the work is to be done, or in other Internet or print media as the department may deem appropriate or necessary. Funding allocated by the department for purchasing advertising in a county having a population greater than two hundred fifty thousand (250,000), according to the 1990 federal census or any subsequent federal census, and in counties located in rural west Tennessee, may be expended to purchase advertisements in one (1) or more newspapers published primarily for distribution within the county's African-American community.

(b) The notice shall describe the work to be performed and shall enable the bidders to prepare their bids. All bids must be sealed and filed with the commissioner or the authorized agent of the department at the place designated in the notice on or before the time fixed in the notice.

(c) The requirements of this section may be modified by the department in order to conform to any federal requirements that may accompany federal funds.

(d) The requirements of this section may be waived as provided in § 54-1-135.