Online notice for road, bridge project bids advances

Lawmakers gave first-round approval April 2 to a measure intended to give the state Department of Transportation greater flexibility when soliciting bids and constructing buildings.

Under LB323, sponsored by Columbus Sen. Mike Moser, the department could advertise for bids for certain road and bridge project contracts in a county newspaper, as is currently required, or on a web page designated by the department.

Moser said the online option is needed because differences in newspaper publication timelines can sometimes delay the contract letting process.

A Transportation and Telecommunications Committee amendment, adopted 27-0, replaced the bill with a modified version of the original proposal. The amendment would require the department to provide notice of its solicitation for bids both in a newspaper and on an official web page.

The online notice would have to be published at least 20 days before the deadline for bids. Both types of notice would be required to identify the project’s general location, and the newspaper notice would have to refer to the web page.

Under the amendment, the department would meet the notice requirements even if there is a defect with the newspaper notice, as long as it has published the online notice for the required number of days.

LB323 also would modify current law requiring the department to seek the Legislature’s consent to construct a building that costs more than $100,000. Moser said the limit has not been updated since 1955 and is so low that the department must seek legislative approval even for small equipment storage buildings.

Under the amendment, the department would need the Legislature’s consent to construct a building with an estimated cost greater than an adjusted limit for capital construction projects set in state law, which Moser said is consistent with other state agencies.

“These two updates allow the NDOT to act more efficiently and gives them the ability to deliver projects [with] more consistent timelines,” he said, “thereby saving money and eliminating unnecessary delays.”

LB323 advanced to select file on a vote of 29-0.