Article 3. Powers And Functions of California Public Utilities Code >> Division 12.5. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 3.

A county transportation authority shall close its affairs and be terminated within 180 days after the completion of the projects listed in the county transportation expenditure plan and upon retirement of all the bonds authorized to be issued pursuant to this division.

A county transportation authority may sue and be sued, except as otherwise provided by law, in all actions and proceedings, and in all courts and tribunals of competent jurisdiction.

All claims for money or damages against a county transportation authority are governed by Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1 of the Government Code except as provided therein, or by other statutes or regulations expressly applicable thereto.

A county transportation authority may make contracts and enter into stipulations of any nature to indemnify and hold harmless, to employ labor, and to do all acts necessary and convenient for the full exercise of the powers granted in this chapter.

A county transportation authority may contract with any department or agency of the United States, with any public agency, including but not limited to, the department, the commission, or any transit district, county, or city, or with any person upon terms and conditions that the county transportation authority finds is in its best interest.

Contracts for the purchase of supplies, equipment, and materials in excess of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder after competitive bidding, except in an emergency declared by the vote of two-thirds of the voting membership of the county transportation authority.

If, after rejecting bids received under Section 131285, the county transportation authority determines and declares by a two-thirds vote of all of its voting members that, in its opinion, the supplies, equipment, or materials may be purchased at a lower price in the open market, the authority may proceed to purchase these supplies, equipment, or materials in the open market without further observance of the provisions regarding contracts, bids, or advertisement.