The bill amends section 24-02-19 of the North Dakota Century Code, which pertains to the bidding requirements for construction contracts. It specifies that any request for bids for construction work or improvements to state highways must be advertised at least once prior to the bid opening. The previous requirement for advertisement in the official newspaper of the county where the project is located has been removed. Instead, the director is now allowed to utilize various methods for advertising, including online publication on the department's website or other electronic formats, in addition to traditional methods such as trade journals and written solicitations to qualified contractors.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that when solicitations are made through publication, they must occur at least three weeks before the bid opening, detailing where bidders can inspect plans and specifications, as well as where and when bids should be submitted and opened. Additionally, it establishes that requests for bids for the purchase of equipment, materials, and supplies exceeding twenty thousand dollars must also be advertised as required by this section, with a new stipulation for publication once a week for two successive weeks prior to the bid opening.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 24-02-19
PREFILED: 24-02-19