Montana Title 7. Local Government § 7-5-2309. Optional bidding preference for county resident

(1) If there are no out-of-state bidders for a contract subject to competitive bid under this part, the contract may be awarded to the lowest and best responsible bidder that is a county resident and that makes a bid that is no more than $500 or 3% higher, whichever is less, than the bid of the lowest responsible bidder that is not a county resident.

(2) If there is one or more out-of-state bidders for a contract for construction, repair, or maintenance of a building, road, or bridge that is in excess of $80,000 and that is subject to competitive bid under this part, the state resident bid preference provided in 18-1-102(1)(a) applies.

(3) For the purposes of this section, “county resident” means a person, corporation, business, or other entity whose principal business location is within the county.