(a) Before construction is started on any project, the authority shall advertise for sealed bids once each week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the project or undertaking, or some part thereof, is to be located; the authority may also advertise in such other publications as it may deem advisable. Such notices shall state that plans and specifications for the project are on file in the office of the authority and the time and place in which bids will be received and opened. All bids shall be opened publicly at the advertised time and place.

(b) The contract shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder complying with conditions of the invitation for bids, unless the authority finds that the bid is unreasonable or that it is not to the interest of the authority to accept it. The bidder to whom the award is made shall be notified by telegram or letter at the earliest possible date. Should the successful bidder fail or refuse to sign the contract or make bond, the authority may award the contract to the second lowest responsible bidder. Should the second lowest bidder fail or refuse to sign the contract or make bond, the authority may award the contract to the third lowest responsible bidder.

(c) Should no bids be received at the time stated in the advertisement for bids, the authority may advertise for and seek other competitive bids, or the authority may direct that the work shall be done by force account under its direction and control. If the authority finds that all bids received are unreasonable and that it is not to the interest of the authority to accept any of the bids, the authority may direct that the work shall be done by force account under its direction and control. On any construction project which the authority has determined to do by force account, the authority shall file plans and specifications and an itemized estimate of cost with the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts and upon completion of the project by the authority, the final total costs, together with an itemized list of cost of any and all changes made in the original plans and specifications shall be submitted to the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts for its permanent record. Upon the approval of the authority, its duly authorized officer or officers may, when proceeding upon the basis of force account, let any subdivision or unit of work by contract on receiving sealed bids in accordance with this section. This section shall not apply to routine maintenance and repair jobs done by maintenance men who are regular employees of the authority.

(d) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section or in any other provision of Alabama law to the contrary, solicited proposals under this article in respect to projects that the authority determines can be more efficiently accomplished on a design-build, design-build-own, design-build-own-operate, or design-build-own-operate-maintain basis may be evaluated and awarded by the authority based on qualifications of participants or best value, or both, and taking into consideration the best interest of the State of Alabama.