Commissioner explains Alabama bidding rules and will seek resolution to post bid notices on county Facebook page

Commissioner Perkins gave a detailed briefing on Alabama’s competitive-bid and public-works rules and told the commission he would ask the body to adopt a resolution allowing the county to add social-media posting to its bid and quote notifications.

Perkins summarized legal thresholds: contracts for labor, services or purchases exceeding $30,000 typically require open sealed bidding under Ala. Code §41-16-51 (unless an exception applies), and public-works projects (construction, repair, roads, bridges, etc.) commonly governed by Title 39 involve higher thresholds (generally over $100,000) and additional requirements such as advertising in a newspaper for three consecutive weeks and submission of payment and performance bonds.

He told commissioners the county follows the law and advertises on the purchasing office bulletin board and through selected mail/email solicitations to firms that have requested notices. Perkins said he would ask for a resolution to post bids and quote requests on the county’s Facebook page in addition to required postings, noting the legislature is discussing a "digital-first" approach that would expand online distribution of bid notices.

Perkins also referenced a 2021 attorney general opinion cited in his remarks to explain conflict-of-interest rules for commissioners on contracts where a commissioner or a commissioner’s business is a party.

Next steps: Perkins will present a resolution at the next regular meeting to permit social-media postings for bids and quote requests in addition to the legally required notices; the legal requirements for advertising in print and using the bulletin board will remain in place unless state law changes.