1120                                       LAWS OF MARYLAND                            [Ch. 4

PAID HIM BY THE COMMISSION FOR SERVICES PERFORMED
WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HIS OFFICIAL DUTIES;

3. OFFER MONEY OR ANY THING OF VALUE FOR OR IN
CONSIDERATION OF OBTAINING AN APPOINTMENT, PROMOTION,
OR PRIVILEGE IN HIS EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMMISSION.

(B) ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE WHO WILLFULLY
VIOLATES ANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL
FORFEIT HIS OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT.

(C) ANY CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT KNOWINGLY MADE IN
CONTRAVENTION OF THIS SECTION IS VOID.

(D) OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE COMMISSION
SHALL BE SUBJECT, IN ADDITION TO THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SECTION, TO SUCH CRIMINAL AND CIVIL SANCTIONS FOR
MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE AS MAY BE IMPOSED BY FEDERAL LAW
AND THE LAW OF THE SIGNATORY STATE IN WHICH SUCH
MISCONDUCT OCCURS.

15.9. PURCHASING. —CONTRACTS FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION OR IMPROVEMENT OF ANY
FACILITY WHEN THE EXPENDITURE REQUIRED EXCEEDS TEN
THOUSAND DOLLARS, AND CONTRACTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF
SERVICES, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, AND MATERIALS WHEN THE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED EXCEEDS FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS
SHALL BE ADVERTISED AND LET UPON SEALED BIDS TO THE
LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER. NOTICE REQUESTING SUCH
BIDS SHALL BE PUBLISHED IN A MANNER REASONABLY LIKELY
TO ATTRACT PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS, WHICH PUBLICATION
SHALL BE MADE AT LEAST THIRTY DAYS BEFORE BIDS ARE
RECEIVED AND IN AT LEAST TWO NEWSPAPERS OF GENERAL
CIRCULATION IN THE BASIN. THE COMMISSION MAY REJECT
ANY AND ALL BIDS AND READVERTISE IN ITS DISCRETION.
IF AFTER REJECTING BIDS THE COMMISSION DETERMINES AND
RESOLVES THAT IN ITS OPINION THE SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT,
AND MATERIALS MAY BE PURCHASED AT A LOWER PRICE IN THE
OPEN MARKET, THE COMMISSION MAY GIVE EACH RESPONSIBLE
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
PROVISIONS REQUIRING BIDS OR NOTICE. THE COMMISSION
SHALL ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR
PURCHASING FROM THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER WHEN
SEALED BIDS, NOTICE, AND PUBLICATION ARE NOT REQUIRED
BY THIS SECTION. THE COMMISSION MAY SUSPEND AND
WAIVE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION REQUIRING
COMPETITIVE BIDS WHENEVER: