All improvement and units of work to be performed by or for the district shall be performed in accordance with the following procedures and requirements:

(a) If the work consists of the protection or maintenance of channels, storm drains, dams or other flood control works, or emergency work, the board of directors may, without advertising for bids therefor, have the work done by day labor under the direction of the board, by contract, or by a combination of the two. In case of an emergency, if notice for bids to let contracts will not be given, the board shall comply with Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 22050).

(b) If the work consists of the construction of new flood control channels, storm drains, dams, or other unit or units of work, and if the cost of the work, according to the estimate of the engineer, will exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), and if the work is not the type of work referred to in subdivision (a) or (c) of this section, the new construction shall be performed under a contract or contracts which shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder or bidders in the manner provided in subdivision (d) of this section.

(c) If the work consists of the maintenance or alteration of existing facilities, including electrical, painting, and roofing work, and if the cost of labor and materials for the work according to the engineer’s estimate, will exceed three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500), and if the work is not the type of work referred to in subdivision (a) or (b) of this section, the maintenance and alteration work shall be performed under a contract or contracts which shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder or bidders in the manner provided in subdivision (d) of this section.

(d) The board shall first determine whether the work shall be let as a single unit or shall be divided into severable parts, or both, according to the best interests of the district. The board shall call for bids and advertise the call pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code in the district inviting sealed proposals for the construction or performance of the work before any contract is made. The call for bids shall state whether the work is to be performed as a unit or shall be divided into severable, specific parts, or both, as stated in the call. The board may let the work by single contract or it may divide the work into severable parts by separate contracts, as stated in the call, according to the best interests of the district. The board shall require the successful bidder or bidders to file with the board good and sufficient bond to be approved by the board conditioned upon the faithful performance of the contract and upon the payment of the claims for labor and material. The faithful performance bond shall contain the terms and conditions as the board may specify, and the payment bond shall contain the terms and conditions set forth in, and shall be subject to, the provisions of Title 3 (commencing with Section 9000) of Part 6 of Division 4 of the Civil Code. If the work to be performed on behalf of the district does not involve an expenditure of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) or more, the district may require a faithful performance bond or a payment bond. The board shall also have the right to reject any bid.

(e) If no proposals are received pursuant to advertisement, or if the estimated cost of work of the type referred to in subdivision (b) of this section does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or if the estimated cost of work of the type referred to in subdivision (c) of this section does not exceed three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500), the board of directors may, without advertising for bids, have the work done by day labor, under the direction of the board, by contract, or by combination of the two. If any change or alteration in a contract awarded under the provisions of this section for work of the type referred to in subdivision (b) or (c) is deemed necessary and the cost does not exceed 10 percent of the original contract price, the board may authorize the contractor to proceed with the change or alteration without the formality of obtaining bids.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the district shall have the power to acquire in the open market, and may authorize the Purchasing Agents of the County of Santa Barbara to acquire in the open market, without advertising for bids, materials, equipment, and supplies for use in any work or for any other purpose; provided, however, that materials and supplies for use in any new construction work or improvement, except work referred to in subdivision (a) of this section, may not be purchased without advertising for bids and awarding the contract to the lowest responsible bidder if the cost exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), unless the purchase is made by the county purchasing agent at the request of the district, in which case the cost shall not exceed six thousand five hundred dollars ($6,500).

(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 697, Sec. 75. (SB 189) Effective January 1, 2011. Operative July 1, 2012, by Sec. 105 of Ch. 697.)