Disposition of bids of unqualified bidders - nonresponsive bids

Except as otherwise provided in this section, the director of transportation shall not consider any bid filed with the director by any person who has not been qualified to bid by the time the contract is awarded. If the director finds, subsequent to the opening of bids, that facts exist that would disqualify the lowest bidder, or that such bidder either is not competent and responsible or has submitted a nonresponsive bid, the director shall reject such bid, despite any prior qualification of such bidder. No contract shall be awarded to any bidder not qualified to bid thereon at the time of awarding the contract, except that the director may award contracts for environmental remediation and specialty work not set out in the director's rules governing classes of work to bidders that are not qualified under sections 5525.02 to 5525.09 of the Revised Code.