Purchase of supplies

§ 2003. Purchase of supplies (a) The Postmaster General, in making purchases for equipment and supplies necessary for the Department, shall advertise as provided by law and award contracts therefor to the lowest responsible bidder. He shall solicit separate proposals and make separate contracts for each class furnished. (b) The Postmaster General shall record an abstract of all bids for furnishing supplies to the Department, stating the (1) name or the party bidding; (2) terms of the offer; and (3) sum to be paid. He shall keep on file and preserve all bids until the end of the contract term to which they relate. These records shall be open at all times for inspection by Congress, and by those who are interested in the contracts. (c) The Postmaster General shall permit each bidder to be present, either in person or by attorney, when the bids are opened, and to examine all bids.