County purchasing; authorizing county purchasing agents to establish online bidding process with certain vendors. Effective date. Emergency.

Oklahoma counties expand online bidding options

Oklahoma counties can set up online bidding with vendors, no longer limited to vendors authorized through state contracts. County purchasing agents can develop flexible, value-based purchasing policies and use electronic tools for bids, notices, and other purchasing steps. Electronic transactions must follow the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. Purchasing agents must follow applicable bid-notice laws, and solicitations must list bid-opening and closing dates and times. Sealed bids must be opened at a public county board meeting alongside other sealed bids. Counties can require online bidders to register, accept bidding terms, and meet advance qualification rules. Those qualification rules must appear in solicitations and published bid notices; bids that fail them must be rejected. The emergency clause makes the law effective upon passage and approval, superseding the stated July 1, 2025 date.