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The Public Bid Law does not allow splitting of purchases in order to avoid bidding requirements. The public entity must consider all similar purchases made or expected to be made during the current fiscal year to determine whether the Public Bid Law threshold is met. In this case, based on the facts presented, the Public Bid Law threshold is met and the purchase should be let out for bid.
In this case, involving the purchase of computerized water meters, the town may want to consider using an exception to the Public Bid Law. The Attorney General has opined that “The Political Subdivisions Telecommunications and Data Processing Procurement Law” (R.S. 38:2234, et seq.) may be used for the purchase of computerized water meters. See, AG Op. No. 09-0078. This RFP process is a permissive alternative to the Public Bid Law that provides more flexibility when purchasing computers or other data systems and related services, especially when seeking to expand or add to existing systems. The procedures to use this RFP are contained in R.S. 38:2237. If the town chooses to use the RFP process rather than the Public Bid process, it must follow the RFP procedures as outlined in R.S. 38:2237.
Louisiana Legislative Auditor website: 06/05/2025 02:32:45 PM
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