Arkansas § 14-22-111 - Awarding of contracts.

§ 14-22-111. Awarding of contracts.

All contracts shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, taking into consideration all relevant facts, including without limitation quality, time of performance, probability of performance, and location. Any bid may be rejected by the purchasing official. Where bids are rejected, but the proposed purchase is not abandoned, and the circumstances indicate that further solicitation for bids would be to the best interest of the county, new bids may be called for. If the low bid is not accepted, a written statement shall be made by the purchasing agent and filed with the county clerk giving reasons for such refusal. All bidders shall be given equal consideration under the provisions of this chapter, except that when the bid represents items manufactured or grown in the county or offered for sale by business establishments having their principal place of business in the county with the quality being equal to articles offered by competitors outside the county, then the bidder shall be allowed a differential of not to exceed three percent (3%) of the purchase price in determining the low bid. However, in each instance in which this bid preference is requested, the bidder must so indicate before the date and time fixed for opening the bids and thereafter furnish satisfactory proof if requested. In all cases where there are equal or tie bids, preference shall be given to residents or firms located and doing business in the county.