61-24.3-03.1. Preference for resident pipeline manufacturers and bidders for labor and services

61-24.3-03.1. Preference for resident pipeline manufacturers and bidders for labor and services. Any contracts for the purchase of pipeline materials, labor, or services awarded by the state water commission in regard to the construction of the southwest water pipeline project must be awarded to North Dakota resident pipeline manufacturers and North Dakota resident bidders for labor and services making the lowest responsible bids if those bids do not exceed by more than five percent the lowest responsible bid submitted by a nonresident pipeline manufacturer or bidder for labor or services. As used in this section, "North Dakota resident pipeline manufacturers and bidders for labor or services" means bidders or sellers who have maintained a bona fide place of business within this state for at least five years prior to the date on which the contract bid on is awarded. If the state water commission awards any contract for pipeline materials, labor, or services in regard to construction of the southwest water pipeline project to a nonresident bidder, the commission shall publicly give notice in a newspaper of general circulation regarding the specific reasons why it did not award the contract to a resident bidder. This section does not apply to contracts that involve federal moneys when a preference would be contrary to federal laws or regulations, contracts covered under chapter 48-01.2, or to architect, engineer, professional right of way, and land surveying services.