Answer

Yes. The Public Bid Law provides, at R.S. 38:2214(B), that a public entity may reject bids for “just cause,” defined in the statute as follows: • The public entity's unavailability of funds sufficient for the construction of the proposed public work; • The failure of any bidder to submit a bid within an established threshold of the preconstruction estimates for that public work, as part of the bid specifications; • A substantial change by the public entity prior to the award in the scope or design of the proposed public work; • A determination by the public entity not to build the proposed public work within twelve months of the date for the public opening and reading of bids; and • The disqualification by the public entity of all bidders In this case, the sole bid the City received was not within the established threshold of the preconstruction estimates for that public work. Therefore, the City may reject the bids and start the process over, including a review of its preconstruction estimates. Louisiana Legislative Auditor website: 04/04/2026 05:06:05 AM