(605 ILCS 10/16.1) (from Ch. 121, par. 100-16.1)

Sec. 16.1. (A) All contracts for services or supplies required from time to time by the Authority in the maintenance and operation of any toll highway or part thereof under the provisions of this Act or all direct contracts for supplies to be used in the construction of any toll highway or part thereof to be awarded under this Section, rather than as a part of a contract pursuant to Section 16 of this Act, when the amount of any such supplies or services is in excess of a small purchase amount, as defined in Section 20-20 of the Illinois Procurement Code, shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder or bidders, on open, competitive bidding after public advertisement made at least 5 days prior to the opening of bids, in the Illinois Procurement Bulletin, in such manner and on one or more occasions as may be prescribed by the Authority, except that bidding shall not be required in the following cases:

1. Where the goods or services to be procured are economically procurable from only one source, such as contracts for telephone service, electric energy and other public utility services, housekeeping services, books, pamphlets and periodicals and specially designed business equipment and software.

2. Where the services required are for professional, technical or artistic skills.

3. Where the services required are for advertising, promotional and public relations services.

4. In emergencies, provided that an affidavit of the person or persons authorizing the expenditure shall be filed with the Authority and the Auditor General within 10 days after such authorization setting forth the conditions and circumstances requiring the emergency purchase, the amount expended and the name of the vendor or contractor involved; if only an estimate is available, however, within the 10 days allowed for filing the affidavit, the actual cost shall be reported immediately after it is determined.

5. In case of expenditures for personal services.

6. Contracts for equipment and spare parts in support thereof for the maintenance and operation of any toll highway, or any part thereof, whenever, the Authority shall, by resolution, declare and find that a particular make and type of equipment is required for efficient maintenance and operation and proper servicing, for uniformity in and integration with the spare parts program and inventory control, or for other reasons peculiar to the problems of the toll highway or its previously acquired equipment; however, competition and competitive bids shall be obtained by the Authority with respect to such specified equipment or spare parts, insofar as possible, and when effective, pursuant to public advertisement as hereinbefore provided.

7. Contracts for insurance, fidelity and surety bonds.

8. Contracts or agreements for the completion of a terminated or defaulted contract or agreement.

(B) The solicitation for bids shall be in conformance with accepted business practices and the method of solicitation shall be set out in detail in the rules and regulations of the Authority.

(C) Proposals received pursuant to public advertisement shall be publicly opened at the day and hour and at the place specified in the solicitation for such bids.

(D) Successful bidders for such services and supplies shall enter into contracts furnished and prescribed by the Authority.

(E) All purchases, contracts or other obligations or expenditures of funds by the Authority shall be in accordance with rules and regulations governing the Authority's procurement practice and procedures and the Authority shall promulgate and publish such practices and procedures in sufficient number for distribution to persons interested in bidding on purchases or contracts to be let by the Authority. Such rules and regulations shall be kept on file with the Secretary of the Authority at all times and shall be available for inspection by members of the public at all reasonable times and hours.

Such rules and regulations shall be filed and become effective in connection with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(F) Any contract entered into for purchase or expenditure of funds of the Authority made in violation of this Act or the rules and regulations in pursuance thereof is void and of no effect.

(G) Warrant. All sellers to the Authority shall attach a statement to the delivery invoice attesting that the standards set forth in the contracts have been met. The statement shall be substantially in the following form:

"The Seller,.... hereby certifies that the goods, merchandise and wares shipped in accordance with the attached delivery invoice have met all the required standards set forth in the purchasing contract. ....(Seller)." (H) Whoever violates the provisions of this Section, or the rules and regulations adopted in pursuance thereof, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 96-592, eff. 8-18-09.)