Sec. 60.412.  EXEMPTIONS.  (a)  A contract for a purchase is exempt from the competitive bidding requirements and proposal procedures of this subchapter and Subchapter O if a contract is for the purchase of:
(1)  an item that must be purchased in a case of public calamity if it is necessary to make the purchase promptly to relieve the necessity of the citizens or to preserve the property of the district or port authority;
(2)  an item necessary to preserve or protect the public health or the safety of the residents of the district or port authority;
(3)  an item made necessary by unforeseen damage to the property of the district or port authority;
(4)  a personal or professional service;
(5)  any work performed and paid for by the day as the work progresses;
(6)  any land or right-of-way;
(7)  an item that can be obtained only from one source, including:
(A)  items for which competition is precluded because of the existence of patents, copyrights, secret processes, or natural monopolies;
(B)  films, manuscripts, or books;
(C)  public utility services; and
(D)  captive replacement parts or components for equipment;
(8)  any item necessary to secure a district or port authority during a period of heightened security as determined by:
(A)  the federal Department of Homeland Security, including the Transportation Security Administration;
(B)  the United States Coast Guard;
(C)  the United States Bureau of Customs and Border Protection;
(D)  the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
(E)  the federal Department of Transportation, including the Maritime Administration; or
(F)  another federal, state, or local agency;
(9)  an item from the United States, including any agency thereof, or from this state, including an agency of this state; or
(10)  an item to respond to an emergency related to supply chain disruptions or shortages or other disruptions or stoppages in the operation of the district which, without harm to the welfare of the district, does not permit the delay incident to the competitive process or would result in undue costs to the district.
(b)  If an item exempt under Subsection (a)(7) of this section is purchased, the person making the purchase must sign a statement as to the existence of only one source for the purchase and a district or port authority must enter the statement into the records of that purchase.
(c)  A district or port authority shall comply with Chapter 2254, Government Code, in procuring professional services.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 353, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 588, Sec. 11, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by: 
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 426 (S.B. 1786), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1191 (H.B. 3785), Sec. 8, eff. June 19, 2009.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1106 (S.B. 1500), Sec. 3, eff. June 18, 2023.