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45A.080   Competitive sealed bidding. 
(1)  Contracts  exceeding  the  amount  provided  by  KRS  45A.100  shall  be  awarded  by 
competitive sealed bidding, which may include the use of a reverse auction, unless 
it  is  determined  in  writing  that  this  method  is  not  practicable.  Factors  to  be 
considered  in  determining  whether  competitive  sealed  bidding  is  not  practicable 
shall include: 
(a)  Whether specifications can be prepared that permit award on the basis of best 
value; and 
(b)  The available sources, the time and place of performance, and other relevant 
circumstances as are appropriate for the use of competitive sealed bidding. 
(2)  The  invitation  for  bids  shall  state  that  awards  shall  be  made  on  the  basis  of  best 
value. In any contract  which is  awarded under an invitation to bid which requires 
delivery by a specified date and imposes a penalty for late delivery, if the delivery is 
late, the contractor shall be given the opportunity to present evidence that the cause 
of the delay was beyond his control. If it is the opinion of the purchasing officer that 
there  is  sufficient  justification  for  delayed  delivery,  the  purchasing  officer  may 
adjust or waive any penalty that is provided for in the contract. 
(3)  Adequate  public  notice  of  the  invitation  for  bids  and any reverse auction shall be 
given  a  sufficient  time  prior  to  the  date  set  forth  for  the  opening  of  bids  or 
beginning of the reverse auction. The notice may include posting on the Internet or 
publication  in  a  newspaper  or  newspapers  of  general  circulation  in  the  state  as 
determined by the secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet not less than 
seven  (7)  days  before  the  date  set  for  the  opening  of  the  bids  and  any  reverse 
auction.  The  provisions  of  this  subsection  shall  also  apply  to  price  contracts  and 
purchase contracts of state institutions of higher education. 
(4)  Bids shall be opened publicly or entered through a reverse auction at the time and 
place designated in the invitation for bids. At the time the bids are opened, or the 
reverse  auction  has  ended,  the  purchasing  agency  shall  announce  the  agency's 
engineer's estimate, if applicable, and make it a part of the agency records pertaining 
to the letting of any contract for which bids were received. Each written or reverse 
auction  bid,  together  with  the  name  of  the  bidder  and  the  agency's  engineer's 
estimate, shall be recorded and be open to public inspection. Electronic bid opening 
and  posting  of  the  required  information  for  public  viewing  shall  satisfy  the 
requirements of this subsection. 
(5)  The contract  shall be awarded by written notice to the responsive and responsible 
bidder whose bid offers the best value. 
(6)  Correction or withdrawal of written or reverse auction bids shall be allowed only to 
the extent permitted by regulations issued by the secretary. 
Effective:  July 15, 2010 
History:  Amended  2010  Ky.  Acts ch. 63, sec. 3, effective  July 15, 2010.  --  Amended 
2000  Ky.  Acts  ch. 509,  sec. 1,  effective  July  14, 2000.  --  Amended 1998 Ky. Acts 
ch. 120, sec. 10, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1997 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts 
ch. 4,  sec. 27,  effective  May  30,  1997.  --  Amended  1996  Ky.  Acts  ch. 60,  sec. 2, 
effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 278, sec. 1, effective July 15, 
1994. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 282, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1982. -- Amended 
1979 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 9, sec. 1, effective February 10, 1979. -- Created 
1978 Ky. Acts ch. 110, sec. 17, effective January 1, 1979. 
Legislative Research Commission Note (10/19/2004). 2004 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts 
ch.  1,  sec.  2,  provides,  "Notwithstanding  KRS  18A.225,  45A.022,  45A.080, 
45A.085, 45A.090, 45A.225 to 45A.290, or any other provision of KRS Chapter 45A 
to  the  contrary,  retroactive  to  August  12,  2004,  the  Finance  and  Administration 
Cabinet  shall  implement  the  provisions  of  this  Act  by  amending  the  previously 
negotiated  contracts  for  public  employee  health  insurance.  The  secretary  of  the 
Finance  and  Administration  Cabinet  shall  provide  an  actuarial  certification  that  the 
self-insured  contract  amounts  are  actuarially  sound.  Any  contracts  entered  into  or 
modified  pursuant  to  this  section  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  Legislative  Research 
Commission."