Alabama Constitution Section 69 - Stationery, printing, fuel, etc., to be furnished by lowest responsible bidder; conflicts of interest.
Alabama Constitution – Section 69: Stationery, printing, fuel, etc., to be furnished by lowest responsible bidder; conflicts of interest
Text of Section 69:
“All stationery, printing, paper, and fuel used in the legislative and other departments of government shall be furnished, and the printing and binding of the laws, journals, and department reports and all other printing and binding, and the repairing and furnishing of the halls and rooms used for the meetings of the legislature and its committees shall be performed under contract, to be given to the lowest responsible bidder below such maximum price and under such regulations as shall be prescribed by law. No member or officer of any department of the government shall be in any way interested in such contracts; and all such contracts shall be subject to the approval of the governor, secretary of state, and state auditor.”
Explanation:
This section is focused on government procurement practices in Alabama and aims to prevent corruption and ensure efficiency. Here's a breakdown of the key points:
Lowest Responsible Bidder Requirement:
Government purchases for things like stationery, printing, paper, fuel, etc., must be made through contracts awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. This ensures cost-effectiveness and fairness in public spending.
Oversight and Regulation:
Contracts must be below a legally set maximum price and must follow rules set by law. This adds a legal framework and transparency to the bidding process.
Conflict of Interest Prohibition:
Government officials and employees are strictly forbidden from having any financial interest in these contracts. This clause helps to prevent favoritism and corruption.
Contract Approval Requirement:
All contracts under this section must be approved by three key state officers:
The Governor
The Secretary of State
The State Auditor
This multi-person approval process adds a layer of accountability.
Purpose and Importance:
Promotes transparency in state government purchases.
Protects against self-dealing by government officials.
Ensures public funds are spent wisely and competitively.
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