How to sell to Mississippi counties

Mississippi has 82 counties, each run by a five-member board of supervisors. Counties are "governing authorities" under the state purchase law, Miss. Code 31-7-13, which also covers state agencies and cities. The same tiers apply to goods, services and construction. This guide relies on Justia's copy of the 2025 code and on secondary summaries; county-specific statutes were not reviewed.

At a glance

Who buys

The board of supervisors is the county's governing authority. It awards contracts and records them in its minutes. With written authorization from the board, a purchasing agent may accept the lowest bid under $75,000 (Miss. Code 31-7-13(b)). The county central purchasing system and purchase clerk rules were not confirmed.

Goods and services

Source: Miss. Code 31-7-13(a)-(c).

For commodities over $75,000, reverse auction is the main method. Other methods need approval from the Public Procurement Review Board (Miss. Code 31-7-13(c)(2)). RFPs are allowed for solid waste, garbage and sewage contracts over $75,000 and some other categories (Miss. Code 31-7-13(r)).

Construction and public works

Construction follows the same tiers. Bid items over $5,000 must be broken down by component, and construction over $75,000 needs at least 15 working days between the last notice and the opening (Miss. Code 31-7-13(b), (c)). Construction bidders must hold a certificate of responsibility (Miss. Code 31-3-21, referenced in 31-7-13).

• Bid security: 31-7-13 has no bid security requirement. A county may still ask for one; check the notice.
• Bonds: a performance bond and a payment bond, each at least the contract amount (Miss. Code 31-5-51; secondary: Mississippi Municipal League).
• Road and bridge rules: county-specific road statutes were not confirmed.

Notice and award

• Advertising: once a week for two consecutive weeks in a regular newspaper published in the county. With no local paper, notice is posted at the courthouse and two other public places and run in a general-circulation newspaper. Notice goes to the Mississippi Procurement Technical Assistance Program the same day (Miss. Code 31-7-13(c)(i), (iii)).
• Opening: at least 7 working days after the last notice, or 15 working days for construction over $75,000.
• Electronic bids: counties must offer electronic submission, except counties under 20,000 people (Miss. Code 31-7-13(c)(v)).
• Posting: award notices and contract summaries go on the DFA web page within one working day (Miss. Code 31-7-13(c)).
• Award: the lowest and best bidder, counting freight. If the county chooses another bid, its minutes must show detailed calculations. Certified Purchasing Offices may award on best value. If the low bid is within 10% of allocated funds, the county may negotiate with the low bidder (Miss. Code 31-7-13(d)).

Prevailing wage

Mississippi has no state prevailing wage law (U.S. Department of Labor). Federally funded work may still require Davis-Bacon wages.

Getting paid

Public-project retainage and county prompt payment rules were not confirmed. A 2024 retainage law (5% cap, 60-day release) applies to private non-residential contracts, not counties (secondary: Butler Snow). Check the contract for retainage and payment terms.

Cooperative purchasing and state contracts

These are exempt from bidding (Miss. Code 31-7-13(m)):

• Purchases under contracts executed or approved by the Department of Finance and Administration ((m)(i)).
• Qualified cooperative purchasing agreements used by Certified Purchasing Offices ((m)(xxix)).
• Sales and transfers between governmental entities ((m)(vi)).

See cooperative purchasing.

Preferences and required certifications

Counties may set aside up to 20% of anticipated annual commodity spending for minority businesses (Miss. Code 31-7-13(s)). See MBE/WBE. Resident and reciprocal preferences, E-Verify, Israel and Iran certifications and non-collusion affidavits were not confirmed; check the solicitation.

Architects and engineers

County rules for selecting architects and engineers were not confirmed. Check the solicitation.

Recent changes

• July 1, 2024: The advertised-bid threshold rose from $50,000 to $75,000 (secondary: Butler Snow).
• June 30, 2026: One exemption, 31-7-13(m)(xxxviii), was set to be repealed (secondary: Justia note); its subject was not checked.

Practical tips for Mississippi

• Register for reverse auctions; they are the main method for commodities over $75,000.
• Keep written quotes ready for purchases from $5,000 to $75,000.
• Watch board of supervisors minutes, where awards and reasons are recorded.
• Check Mississippi counties for each county's bid platform, contacts and agendas.