1276                               Laws of Maryland                         Ch. 529

remaining in that system or transferring to the State system, upon
terms and conditions mutually acceptable to the Authority and said
Systems. THE EMPLOYER'S CONTRIBUTION FOR SUCH PEN-
SION COVERAGE SHALL BE PAID BY THE AUTHORITY TO
THE APPROPRIATE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, ANY FULLTIME
EMPLOYEE FIRST EMPLOYED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE
DATE HEREOF AS A MEMBER OF THE AIRPORT FIRE
FIGHTING FORCE OR THE AIRPORT POLICE FORCE SHALL
BECOME MEMBERS OF THE BALTIMORE CITY FIRE AND
POLICE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE
AUTHORITY SHALL REIMBURSE THE CITY FOR THE EM-
PLOYER'S COST OF SUCH PENSION COVERAGE.

(p) Promotion of air carrier service.—To do all things neces-
sary and proper to promote and increase air carrier service within
its territorial jurisdiction, including the purchase of advertising, en-
gaging upon public relation programs, publication of literature,
solicitation of business, and cooperation with governmental, civic,
technical, professional and business organizations and associations.

(q) Contracts and purchasing.—To make and enter into all con-
tracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance
of its duties and execution of its powers under this article [;] . [but
all projects involving construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation,
improvement, and repair of airport facilities, which contracts in-
volve the expenditure of five thousand dollars or more, shall be per-
formed by private industry, and contracts for these expenditures
shall be awarded on the basis of the lowest responsible bid received
therefor in response to an invitation for bids published at least
twice in two newspapers having general circulation in the State of
Maryland. Development work not susceptible to accurate bidding
may be awarded by negotiation. When supplies, materials, equip-
ment, or services are of such a nature that no advantage will result
in seeking or it is not practicable to obtain competitive bids, or if
the need for such supplies, materials, equipment, or services is of
an emergency nature, the Authority may dispense with the require-
ments of this subsection.] Contracts for the construction, recon-
struction or improvement of any airport facility when the expendi-
ture required exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000) and contracts
for the purchase of supplies, equipment and materials when the ex-
penditure required exceeds five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be
advertised and let upon sealed bids to the lowest responsible bidder.
Notice requesting such bids shall be published in a manner reason-
ably likely to attract prospective bidders, which publication shall be
made at least ten days before bids are received and in at least two
newspapers of general circulation in the State. The Authority may
reject any and all bids and readvertise in its discretion. If after re-
jecting bids the Authority determines and resolves that, in its opin-
ion, the supplies, equipment and materials may be purchased at a
lower price in the open market, the Authority may give each respon-
sible bidder an opportunity to negotiate a price and may proceed
to purchase the supplies, equipment and materials in the open
market at a negotiated price which is lower than the lowest rejected
bid of a responsible bidder, without further observance of the pro-
visions requiring bids or notice. The Authority shall adopt rules
and regulations to provide for purchasing from the lowest responsi-
ble bidder when sealed bids, notice and publication are not required
by this section. The Authority may waive the provisions of this sec-