Tennessee § 54-9-125 - Work may be let in sections or as a whole — Rejection of all bids and resubmission.

§ 54-9-125. Work may be let in sections or as a whole — Rejection of all bids and resubmission.

The commissioners may let the work in sections, or they may let different kinds of work to different contractors, or they may let the whole to one (1) bidder, if in their judgment it is to the best interest of the taxpayers to do so; provided, that after having examined all bids and after having thoroughly investigated the methods of other counties in the state or elsewhere, where conditions are similar, a majority of the commissioners may be of the opinion that to accept none of the bids would be to the best interest of the county, and they may resubmit to another bidding; or, in their discretion, they may adopt any other method of letting the work, either in whole or in part, as the results of their investigation and judgment may indicate. Acts 1913 (1st E.S.), ch. 26, § 8; Shan., § 1695a27; Code 1932, § 2988; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 54-827. Attorney General Opinions. A county could not award a road design and construction contract on a “design-build” basis, without competitive bidding, to an engineering firm that had partnered with a road construction firm for that purpose, even though the county's governing body believed such an award to be in the best interest of the taxpayers, as the county was required to advertise the proposed letting of such a contract and to receive sealed bids for the proposed road project, OAG 00-086 (5/5/00). Collateral References. Right or duty of public authorities to require single bid or to let single contract for entire improvement or for two or more separate improvements. 123 A.L.R. 577 . Unit basis, right to require bid on with reservation to public authorities of right to determine amount or extent of work. 79 A.L.R. 225 .