§39-2-3. Fees to be paid Department of Transportation for proposals, plans, and specifications; deposit for bid documents; furnishing of plans and specifications to building exchanges, etc.

(a) For contracts let by the Department of Transportation, proposals may be obtained only upon payment of a fee, to be determined by the Department of Transportation, not in excess of five dollars ($5). Plans and specifications may be obtained only upon payment of a fee, to be determined by the Department of Transportation, not to exceed the actual cost of printing such plans and specifications.

(b) For all other awarding authorities, an adequate number of sets of bid documents, as determined by the awarding authority, may be obtained by prime contractor bidders upon payment of a deposit for each set, which deposit shall not exceed twice the cost of printing, reproduction, handling, and distribution of each set. The deposit shall be refunded in full to each prime contractor bidder upon return of the documents in reusable condition within 10 days after bid opening. Additional sets for prime contractor bidders, subcontractors, vendors, or dealers may be obtained upon payment of the same deposit. The deposit shall be refunded less the cost of printing, reproduction, handling, and distribution, upon return of the documents in reusable condition within 10 days after bid opening. All refunds are due from the awarding authority within 20 days after bid opening.

(c) Building exchanges and similar agencies may be furnished plans and specifications without charge.

(Acts 1947, No. 492, p. 338, §2; Acts 1956, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 52, p. 82; Acts 1997, No. 97-225, p. 348, §1.)