op13-92-local preference.pdf

The document is an official opinion from the Office of the Attorney General in Tennessee regarding whether a municipality subject to the Municipal Purchasing Law of 1983 can implement a policy granting a preference to local businesses bidding on municipal contracts. The opinion states that such a policy would violate the competitive bidding principles outlined in the law. Competitive bidding aims to ensure fair competition, prevent favoritism, and promote the public interest by treating all bidders equally. Any policy that gives preferences to specific bidders, such as local businesses, would not align with the requirement for equal treatment in bidding processes. The document cites legal precedents and opinions to support the conclusion that granting preferences to local businesses in municipal contracts would conflict with the competitive bidding provisions of the law.