The department of administrative services shall purchase all supplies needed for the proper support and maintenance of the institutions under the control of the department of mental health and addiction services in accordance with the competitive selection procedures of Chapter 125. of the Revised Code and such rules as the department of administrative services adopts. All bids shall be publicly opened on the day and hour and at the place specified in the advertisement.
Preference shall be given to bidders in localities wherein the institution is located, if the price is fair and reasonable and not greater than the usual price; but bids not meeting the specifications shall be rejected.
The department of administrative services may require such security as it considers proper to accompany the bids and shall fix the security to be given by the contractor.
The department of administrative services may reject any or all bids and secure new bids, if for any reason it is deemed for the best interest of the state to do so, and it may authorize the managing officer of any institution to purchase perishable goods and supplies for use in cases of emergency, in which cases such managing officer shall certify such fact in writing and the department of administrative services shall record the reasons for such purchase.
R.C. § 5119.31