How to sell to Kansas counties

Kansas has 105 counties, each governed by a board of county commissioners. State law sets bidding rules for county construction, roads and bridges. Only Johnson and Sedgwick counties have a statutory purchasing officer with set bid rules; the other counties buy goods and services under their own policies. Home rule lets counties adopt charter resolutions that change some rules.

At a glance

Who buys

The board of county commissioners lets county construction contracts (K.S.A. 19-214). State law requires a county purchasing officer only in Johnson and Sedgwick counties (K.S.A. 19-260a). Elsewhere, larger counties have purchasing departments, and road and bridge work runs through the county engineer.

Goods and services

In counties with a statutory purchasing officer, purchases under $2,000 may be made on the open market. Purchases of $2,000 or more need competitive bids, at least three when reasonably possible, awarded to the lowest responsible bidder (K.S.A. 19-260b).

For the other 103 counties, no general statutory bid rule for goods and services was found. Each county sets its own policy. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, for example, asks for three quotes from $2,000 and formal bids or RFPs from $20,000 for goods and services, and formal solicitation from $50,000 for construction (Wyandotte County purchasing policy).

Construction and public works

County buildings and other construction. Contracts to build courthouses, jails and other county buildings, bridges, highways, roads, dams, turnpikes, related structures and stand-alone parking lots go through a public letting to the lowest and best bid (K.S.A. 19-214). 2026 Senate Sub. for HB 2571 raised the threshold from $25,000 to $100,000. It was approved April 6, 2026 and takes effect on publication in the statute book; the exact date was not confirmed (2026 Session Laws ch. 64). The contractor still files a surety performance bond equal to the contract on contracts over $25,000.

Exceptions include professional services, road contracts under K.S.A. 68-521, insurance, and emergency repairs to county buildings (K.S.A. 19-214(b)).

Road contracts. When the county engineer's estimate is over $25,000 (K.S.A. 68-521):

• Plans and specifications are on file 20 days before the letting.
• Each bid includes a 5% bid surety.
• The contract goes to the lowest responsible bidder and can't exceed 110% of the engineer's estimate.
• The contractor files a K.S.A. 60-1111 payment bond and a 100% performance bond.

Whether HB 2571 also changed the 68-521 threshold was not confirmed.

Payment bonds. On public contracts over $100,000, the public official takes a payment bond of at least the contract sum (K.S.A. 60-1111, 2012 text).

Notice and award

Road lettings are advertised in the official county paper for at least two consecutive weekly issues, the first at least 20 days before the letting (K.S.A. 68-521). K.S.A. 19-214 states no notice rule, and notice for goods follows county policy. Awards go to the lowest and best bid (K.S.A. 19-214) or the lowest responsible bidder (K.S.A. 68-521, 19-260b). A statewide RFP or best-value option for counties was not confirmed.

Prevailing wage

Kansas has no state prevailing wage law; it was repealed in 1987 (U.S. Department of Labor). Federally funded work may still require Davis-Bacon wages.

Getting paid

The Fairness in Public Construction Contract Act treats counties as owners, but excludes road, highway and bridge work (K.S.A. 16-1902).

• Prompt payment: the owner pays undisputed requests within 30 days (45 with extenuating circumstances). Late amounts earn 18% per year. Contractors pay subcontractors within 7 business days (K.S.A. 16-1903).
• Retainage: generally up to 5%, or up to 10% if set by the owner or for nonperformance. It is released within 30 days after substantial completion, with 18% interest if late (K.S.A. 16-1904).

A prompt payment rule for non-construction county purchases was not confirmed.

Cooperative purchasing and state contracts

A 2025 state procurement circular on purchasing cooperatives does not address counties. County use of state contracts or other agencies' contracts was not confirmed; ask the county whether it buys through a cooperative.

Preferences and required certifications

Kansas's Israel boycott certification applies to state agencies, not counties, by its text (K.S.A. 75-3740e, 75-3740f). Statewide county rules on local or in-state preferences, E-Verify and divestment were not confirmed. Some counties apply the reciprocal rule for out-of-state bidders; Wyandotte County cites K.S.A. 75-3740a in its policy. Check the solicitation.

Architects and engineers

Professional services are exempt from the 19-214 letting requirement (K.S.A. 19-214(b)). A state rule requiring qualifications-based selection for counties was not confirmed; check county policy.

Recent changes

• April 6, 2026: Senate Sub. for HB 2571 approved, raising the K.S.A. 19-214 letting threshold from $25,000 to $100,000 on publication in the statute book. The $25,000 performance bond trigger is unchanged (2026 Session Laws ch. 64). A companion bill, SB 436, did not pass.

Practical tips for Kansas

• Ask for the county's purchasing policy for goods and services, and whether it has a charter resolution.
• Watch the official county paper for road lettings, advertised at least 20 days ahead.
• Budget for a performance bond on county construction over $25,000, even below the new $100,000 letting threshold.
• Check Kansas counties for each county's bid platform, contacts and agendas.