§18B-5-6. Other code provisions relating to purchasing and design-build procurement not controlling; exceptions; criminal provisions and penalties; financial interest of governing boards, etc.; receiving anything of value from interested party and penalties therefor; application of bribery statute.

(a) The provisions of article three, chapter five-a of this code and article twenty-two-a, chapter five of this code do not control or govern design-build procurement or the purchase, acquisition or other disposition of any equipment, materials, supplies, services or printing by the commission or the governing boards, except as provided in sections four through seven, inclusive, of this article. Sections twenty-nine, thirty and thirty-one, article three, chapter five-a of this code apply to all purchasing activities of the commission and the governing boards.  

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, state institutions of higher education, through their governing boards, may enter into design-build contracts and are not subject to the provisions of article twenty-two-a, chapter five of this code and may also utilize other commonly accepted methods of procurement and contracting for construction projects: Provided, That such state institution of higher education meets the following criteria:

(1) Employs at least one Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified administrator; and

(2) Employs at least one Certified Facilities Manager (CFM) as credentialed by the International Facility Management Association, or employs at least one Project Management Professional (PMP) as certified by the Project Management Institute.

(c) Neither the commission, the governing boards, nor any employee of the commission or governing boards may be financially interested, or have any beneficial personal interest, directly or indirectly, in the purchase of any equipment, materials, supplies, services or printing, nor in any firm, partnership, corporation or association furnishing them, except as may be authorized by the provisions of chapter six-b of this code. Neither the commission, the governing boards nor any employee of the commission or governing boards may accept or receive directly or indirectly from any person, firm or corporation, known by the commission, governing boards or such employee to be interested in any bid, contract or purchase, by rebate, gift or otherwise, any money or other thing of value whatsoever or any promise, obligation or contract for future reward or compensation, except as may be authorized by the provisions of chapter six-b of this code.

A person who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in jail not less than three months nor more than one year, or fined not less than $50 nor more than $1,000, or both imprisoned and fined, in the discretion of the court. Any person who violates any provisions of this section by receiving money or other thing of value under circumstances constituting the crime of bribery under the provisions of section three, article five-a, chapter sixty-one of this code shall, upon conviction of bribery, be punished as provided in section nine of said article.