Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Revised February 9, 2007

ALABAMA

Alabama Resident Bidder Preference

Certain State Agencies: Preference to be given to Alabama commodities, firms, etc., Ala. Code § 41-16-57. In the purchase of or contract for personal property or contractual services preference shall be given to Alabama person, firms, or corporations provided there is no sacrifice or loss in price or quality. Public Works contracts are specifically excluded as they are governed exclusively by Title 39 of the Code of Alabama. See reciprocal preference below.

Generally: Manner of awarding contracts generally; records; exemptions, Ala. Code § 41-16-27. Preference for Alabama person, firms, or corporations for purchase or contract for personal property or contractual services. Alabama business entity to have preference in contractual services and purchases of personal property regarding certain services negotiated on behalf of two-year and four-year colleges and universities.

Highways: Purchase of motor fuels, oils, greases and lubricants, Ala. Code § 23-1-51. All motor fuels, oils, greases and lubricants bought by or for the State Department of Transportation for use in the construction, maintenance and repair of the county roads and bridges shall be purchased from vendors and suppliers residing in the county where such motor fuels, oils, greases and lubricants are to be used.

Local Agencies: Contracts for which competitive bidding required generally, Ala. Code § 41-16-50. Bids for item of personal property where the county, a municipality, or an instrumentality thereof is awarding authority, may award to bidder that is resident of “local preference zone” if bid is no more than 3% greater than that of the lowest bid.

Public Contracts: Contracts for which competitive bidding required; award to preferred vendor, Ala. Code § 41-16-20. Public contracts of $7,500 or more awarded to “preferred vendor” if price not more than 5% greater than lowest responsible bidder. Definition of “preferred vendor” includes priority preference ranking and centers on location of business within the state. Public Works contracts are specifically excluded as they are governed exclusively by Title 39 of the Code of Alabama. See reciprocal preference below.

Alabama Reciprocal Preference

Public Works: Preference to resident contractors in letting of certain public contracts, Ala. Code § 39-3-5. Preference given to resident contractors for public contracts using state, county, or municipal funds—application of reciprocal preference to nonresident bidder.