The bill amends the Arkansas Procurement Law to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of procurement processes within state agencies. Key provisions include the requirement for the State Procurement Director to review and update procurement materials within 120 days of any new or revised procurement statutes or rules. Additionally, the bill introduces criteria for determining when a bid or proposal is considered "unrealistic" or "unreasonable," and mandates that state agencies evaluate costs during the initial proposal assessment. It also establishes training and certification requirements for procurement personnel, ensuring they are adequately prepared to conduct procurement activities.

Further amendments include changes to the notification process for issuing invitations for bids or requests for proposals, requiring agencies to notify the Office of State Procurement at least seven calendar days in advance. The bill also modifies the rules regarding public notice for proposals, the evaluation of proposals, and the resolution of protests related to contract awards. Overall, these changes aim to streamline procurement processes, improve compliance with legal standards, and enhance the accountability of procurement personnel.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB538 V2 - 4-2-2025 04:44 PM: 19-11-217(c), 19-11-229(f), 19-11-230(c), 19-11-230(d), 19-11-230(e), 19-11-230, 19-11-244(a), 19-11-244(d), 19-11-244(f), 19-11-245(b), 19-11-245(e), 19-11-247(a), 19-11-279, 19-11-280(a), 19-11-280(c), 19-11-280, 19-11-802(c)
Old version SB538 V3 - 4-7-2025 09:14 AM: 19-11-217(c), 19-11-229(f), 19-11-230(c), 19-11-230(d), 19-11-230(e), 19-11-230, 19-11-244(a), 19-11-244(d), 19-11-244(f), 19-11-245(b), 19-11-245(e), 19-11-247(a), 19-11-279, 19-11-280(a), 19-11-280(c), 19-11-280, 19-11-802(c)
Old version SB538 V4 - 4-7-2025 06:41 PM: 19-11-217(c), 19-11-229(f), 19-11-230(c), 19-11-230(d), 19-11-230(e), 19-11-230, 19-11-244(a), 19-11-244(d), 19-11-244(f), 19-11-245(e), 19-11-247(a), 19-11-279, 19-11-280(a), 19-11-280(c), 19-11-280, 19-11-802(c), 04-07-2025
Old version SB538 Original - 3-20-2025 01:37 PM: 19-11-217(c), 19-11-229(f), 19-11-230(c), 19-11-230(d), 19-11-230(e), 19-11-230, 19-11-244(a), 19-11-244(d), 19-11-244(f), 19-11-245(b), 19-11-245(e), 19-11-247(a), 19-11-279, 19-11-280(a), 19-11-280(c), 19-11-280, 19-11-802(c)
SB 538: 19-11-217(c), 19-11-229(f), 19-11-230(c), 19-11-230(d), 19-11-230(e), 19-11-230, 19-11-244(a), 19-11-244(d), 19-11-244(f), 19-11-245(b), 19-11-245(e), 19-11-247(a), 19-11-279, 19-11-280(a), 19-11-280(c), 19-11-280, 19-11-802(c)
Act 782: 19-11-217(c), 19-11-229(f), 19-11-230(c), 19-11-230(d), 19-11-230(e), 19-11-230, 19-11-244(a), 19-11-244(d), 19-11-244(f), 19-11-245(e), 19-11-247(a), 19-11-279, 19-11-280(a), 19-11-280(c), 19-11-280, 19-11-802(c), 04-07-2025