This bill amends Section 67-5711C of the Idaho Code, which governs the competitive bidding process for public works construction contracts. The key changes include raising the threshold for projects requiring formal bidding from twenty-five thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars. Additionally, the bill stipulates that for projects with a written cost estimate exceeding fifty thousand dollars but below the public works limit, agencies must solicit at least three documented informal bids from licensed contractors if they do not use their existing staff. Adequate public notice for these informal bids must be given at least seven days prior to the bid submission deadline.

Furthermore, the bill explicitly states that no bids shall be accepted or denied based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, which are defined as procurement standards that evaluate bids based on subjective ethical or sustainability criteria unrelated to the solicitation specifications or bidder qualifications. The bill declares an emergency, making it effective on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 67-5711C