(a) A public utility agency may award a contract for construction of an improvement that involves the expenditure of more than $20,000 only on the basis of competitive bids.
(b) The agency shall publish notice of intent to receive bids once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the agency is domiciled. The first publication must appear at least 14 days before the date bids are to be received.