Agencies may choose electronic-only bidding platforms

A state agency may require electronic bids, allow electronic and paper bids, and use a platform or provider it chooses. This covers purchases of goods and nonprofessional services, as well as public works contracts. The solicitation must say whether bidding is electronic only or accepts both electronic and paper submissions. For contracts under $500,000 but above the amount in the annual small-purchase guidance, the agency must accept paper submissions. If an agency accepts only electronic bids, two representatives must open and record the bids after the closing time, and the agency must prepare a bid list for review. These rules apply when an agency issues an advertisement, solicitation, request for proposal, or public works letting covered by the cited sections.

Agencies that accept both electronic and paper proposals must hold a public opening and disclose the required bidder information. This covers mixed electronic-and-paper submissions for competitive bids, requests for proposals, and public works lettings. The public opening must provide facilities for people to attend. The bidder names and other information required by the solicitation must be read, displayed, and recorded. Other proposal information must remain confidential during negotiations to protect competing offerors. The requirements apply at the time and place stated in the solicitation or request for proposals.

Agencies may open electronic-only bids without a public meeting and must post public works bid results on the agency website within 2 business days after the award. This covers electronic-only public works bids and the state procurement system that records agency bidding information. The agency must record the bidders, submission times, bids, and prices and prepare a list of responsive bidders. The state procurement system serves as the system of record. An agency using another electronic bidding system must also provide the required information for posting in the state system. The agency may use an electronic procurement advertising system to satisfy the chapter's public notice and advertising requirements. For public works contracts, the bid list must be posted within 2 business days after the bid is awarded.