Ala. Code § 16-61E-1
The Legislature finds that information technology is an area of rapid change in which specialized knowledge and equipment are often essential. The Legislature further recognizes that substantial savings may be realized by aggregating the purchasing power of educational institutions. The Legislature therefore desires to authorize the joint purchase of information technology and further recognizes that in an effort to truly have fair and competitive bidding as well as ensure quality vendors, any companies that have ISO-9001 certification or any companies or contractors whose affiliates, subdivisions, subsidiaries, or departments have ISO-9001 certification can bid on the information technology to be jointly purchased by educational institutions.
Ala. Code § 16-61E-1 (1975)