1. (a) A development authority shall comply with IC 5-22 (public purchasing), IC 36-1-12 (public work projects), and any applicable federal bidding statutes and regulations. An eligible political subdivision that receives a loan, a grant, or other financial assistance from a development authority or enters into a lease with a development authority must comply with applicable federal, state, and local public purchasing and bidding laws and regulations. However, a purchasing agency (as defined in IC 5-22-2-25 ) of an eligible political subdivision may:

   1. (1) assign or sell a lease for property to a development authority; or

   2. (2) enter into a lease for property with a development authority;

      at any price and under any other terms and conditions as may be determined by the eligible political subdivision and the development authority. However, before making an assignment or a sale of a lease or entering into a lease under this section that would otherwise be subject to IC 5-22 , the eligible political subdivision or its purchasing agent must obtain or cause to be obtained a purchase price for the property to be subject to the lease from the lowest responsible and responsive bidder in accordance with the requirements for the purchase of supplies under IC 5-22 .

2. (b) In addition to the provisions of subsection (a), with respect to projects undertaken by a development authority, the development authority shall set a goal for participation by minority business enterprises and women's business enterprises. The goals must be consistent with:

   1. (1) the participation goals established by the counties and municipalities that are members of the development authority; and
   2. (2) the goals of delivering the project on time and within the budgeted amount and, insofar as possible, using Indiana businesses for employees, goods, and services.

As added by P.L.83-2020, SEC.2.