This bill amends several sections of Louisiana law concerning the procurement of information technology and cybersecurity services. It grants the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget the authority to review all budget, expenditure, or procurement requests related to these services. New definitions are introduced, including "consulting service," "invitation to negotiate," and "professional service." The bill expands the types of contracts allowed for procurement to include professional and consulting services, and it outlines procurement methods, particularly emphasizing the use of invitations to negotiate. Additionally, it modifies provisions for multiyear contracts, permitting terms of up to ten years under certain conditions, and mandates that these contracts include an annual appropriation dependency clause.

The bill also revises the procurement process for contracts related to technology and cybersecurity within the Louisiana Department of Health. It designates the Joint Legislative Committee on Technology and Cybersecurity to conduct public hearings on contract awards and renewals, with a timeline of thirty days for these hearings after receiving a notice of intention. It establishes that no contract can be awarded later than eight months before an existing contract's termination unless specific conditions are met. Furthermore, any contract exceeding three years and costing over ten million dollars must receive approval from the Joint Legislative Committee. The bill introduces the "invitation to negotiate" method for procurements of any amount, ensuring flexibility and accountability in the procurement process while enhancing oversight for technology-related contracts in the state.

Statutes affected:
HB845 Original: 24:673(A), 39:198(A), 39:198(G)(4), 39:200(I)
HB845 Engrossed: 24:673(A), 39:198(A), 39:198(G)(4), 39:200(I)
HB845 Reengrossed: 24:673(A), 39:198(A), 39:198(G)(4), 39:200(I)
HB845 Enrolled: 24:673(A), 39:197(13), 39:198(A), 39:198(G)(4), 39:200(I)
HB845 Act 734: 24:673(A), 39:197(13), 39:198(A), 39:198(G)(4), 39:200(I)