Three statutes identify generally which county contracts are
subject to competititve bidding:
Minn. Stat. § 373.01: delineates the powers and duties of a
county, including requirements for the sale, lease or conveyance of
personal property over $15,000 and real property owned by the county.
Minn. Stat. § 375.21: addresses county contracts for work or
labor, or to purchase furniture, fixtures or other property, or to
construct or repair roads, bridges or buildings; and
Minn. Stat. § 471.345; Uniform Municipal
Contracting Law.
These statutes identify purchases or conveyances for which
competitive bids must be sought and establish the basic procedural
framework for the bidding process.
1. If the amount of a contract is estimated to be over $15,000
$50,000, competitive bidding must be solicited for:
a. Work or labor, or to purchase furniture, fixtures or
other property, or to construct or repair roads, bridges or
buildings (Minn. Stat. § 375.21), or
b. The sale or purchase of supplies, materials, equipment
or the rental thereof (except see 3. below), or the construction,
alteration, repair or maintenance of real or personal
property. (Minn. Stat. § 471.345, subd. 2)
2. Competitive bidding must generally be solicited for the
sale, lease or conveyance of real estate owned by the county.
However, exceptions to bidding in Minn. Stat. § 373.01 subd. 1(4)
include:
a. The lease of a residence acquired by the furtherance of
an approved capital improvement project;
b. Leases that do not exceed $15,000 for any one year may
be negotiated rather than bid;
c. Acquisition of county right-a-way property may be by
exchange of parcels of real property of substantially similar or
equal value without advertisement for bids.
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