(a) Every water-works corporation subject to the jurisdiction of this commission with annual gross operating revenues in excess of $1,500,000 shall file, in accordance with the requirements of section 3.5 of this Title, with this commission the procedures which govern the contracting for and procurement of services, equipment or materials to be used in its utility operations. The statement shall:

1. (1) Describe the circumstances in which cost estimates will be prepared and the procedures for awarding a contract which exceeds such an estimate. Such estimates, when prepared:

   1. (i) shall be related to market conditions and trends as well as the utility's own experience; and
   2. (ii) where competitive bidding is employed, shall remain confidential until after the bids are opened.

2. (2) Where competitive bidding is employed, specify the procedures used in preparing and maintaining lists of qualified bidders by geographical area, type of material or service provided, and degree of capability, including:

   1. (i) the criteria used for including or excluding bidders;
   2. (ii) a description of the circumstances in which all bidders on such a list not be solicited in instances where the utility uses competitive bidding; and
   3. (iii) a provision that in the absence of such a list, all requests to be allowed to bid, that are not honored, shall be reviewed within the utility.
3. (3) Where competitive bidding is employed, specify the procedure to be employed to ensure that sealed bids are opened at the time and place specified.
4. (4) Specify the procedure employed in making awards in the absence of bids or, where competitive bidding is employed, to a person other than the low bidder.
5. (5) Specify the procedures employed in reviewing contract expenditures, relating such expenditures to any cost estimate, the amount of the award and existing market conditions.
6. (6) Include a requirement for disclosure to the utility of any ownership or beneficial interest in potential suppliers by employees involved in specifying or procuring services, equipment and materials, which requirement shall provide that no employee in the purchasing department nor anyone with authority to review or approve a purchasing decision shall have such an interest, except in accordance with such rules as the utility may develop and file with this commission.