(A)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (E) of section 307.671 of the Revised Code, division (A) of this section does not apply to a port authority educational and cultural facility acquired, constructed, and equipped pursuant to a cooperative agreement entered into under section 307.671 of the Revised Code.

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(2) Except as provided in division (C) of this section or except when the port authority elects to construct a building, structure, or other improvement pursuant to a contract made with a construction manager at risk under sections 9.33 to 9.335 of the Revised Code or with a design-build firm under sections 153.65 to 153.73 of the Revised Code, when the cost of a contract for the construction of any building, structure, or other improvement undertaken by a port authority involves an expenditure exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars and the port authority is the contracting entity, the port authority shall make a written contract after notice calling for bids for the award of the contract has been given by publication twice, with at least seven days between publications, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the jurisdiction of the port authority. Each such contract shall be let to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in accordance with section 9.312 of the Revised Code. Every contract let shall be in writing and if the contract involves work or construction, it shall be accompanied by or shall refer to plans and specifications for the work to be done, prepared for and approved by the port authority, and signed by an authorized officer of the port authority and by the contractor.

Each bid shall be awarded in accordance with sections 153.54, 153.57, and 153.571 of the Revised Code.

The port authority may reject any and all bids.

(B) The board of directors of a port authority by rule may provide criteria for the negotiation and award without competitive bidding of any contract as to which the port authority is the contracting entity for the construction of any building, structure, or other improvement under any of the following circumstances:

(1) There exists a real and present emergency that threatens damage or injury to persons or property of the port authority or other persons, provided that a statement specifying the nature of the emergency that is the basis for the negotiation and award of a contract without competitive bidding shall be signed by the officer of the port authority that executes that contract at the time of the contract’s execution and shall be attached to the contract.

(2) A commonly recognized industry or other standard or specification does not exist and cannot objectively be articulated for the improvement.

(3) The contract is for any energy conservation measure as defined in section 307.041 of the Revised Code.

(4) With respect to material to be incorporated into the improvement, only a single source or supplier exists for the material.

(5) A single bid is received by the port authority after complying with the provisions of division (A) of this section.

(C)(1) If a contract is to be negotiated and awarded without competitive bidding for the reason set forth in division (B)(2) of this section, the port authority shall publish a notice calling for technical proposals at least twice, with at least seven days between publications, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the port authority. After receipt of the technical proposals, the port authority may negotiate with and award a contract for the improvement to the proposer making the proposal considered to be the most advantageous to the port authority.

(2) If a contract is to be negotiated and awarded without competitive bidding for the reason set forth in division (B)(4) of this section, any construction activities related to the incorporation of the material into the improvement also may be provided without competitive bidding by the source or supplier of that material.