Sec. 1. (a) This chapter applies to leases of equipment whether or not title passes from the lessor to the lessee. The term “purchaser” as used in this chapter includes persons who make leases for equipment.

     (b) Any person, officer, board, commissioner, department, commission, or purchasing agent (designated as purchaser in this chapter) duly authorized and empowered by law or delegated and entrusted with authority to make purchases of material or materials, equipment, goods, and supplies, except current utility bills, or leases of equipment, for any unit of the state shall comply with the requirements of this chapter whenever the total amount of any purchase exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or total annual rental payment under any lease exceeds five thousand dollars ($5,000).

     (c) In all cases of purchase of materials and supplies where the total amount of any such purchase does not exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000), and in all cases of the lease of equipment where the annual rental payment does not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), the purchaser or lessee may buy or lease in the open market without the giving of notice or the receiving of bids.

     (d) All purchases of similar materials, equipment, goods, and supplies by any government unit from a person during a six (6) month period under subsection (c) may not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), and the total annual rental payments to a person under all leases for equipment under subsection (c) may not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000).

     (e) Materials, equipment, goods, and supplies may be purchased, or such equipment may be leased, from the United States government or any agency, division, or instrumentality thereof, without the giving of notice or the receiving of bids.

Formerly: Acts 1945, c.99, s.1; Acts 1953, c.32, s.1; Acts 1963, c.328, s.1; Acts 1969, c.483, s.1. As amended by Acts 1977, P.L.61, SEC.1; Acts 1979, P.L.45, SEC.1; Acts 1981, P.L.57, SEC.13; P.L.53-1986, SEC.1.