This bill seeks to amend and enact various sections of the North Dakota Century Code concerning state purchasing practices, particularly the procurement processes for state officials and employees. It introduces new definitions for "information technology" and clarifies the roles of procurement officers. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is tasked with establishing state contracts for multiple agencies and ensuring compliance with information technology procurement standards. The bill emphasizes fair competition and transparency in the bidding process while allowing for certain exemptions. Significant deletions include the removal of provisions related to the opening of records associated with bids and proposals, as well as references to the International Peace Garden's involvement in procurement.

Additionally, the bill modifies competitive bidding language to provide more flexibility in contractor selection and encourages the purchase of environmentally preferable products. It establishes a bidders list to improve communication regarding procurement opportunities. The bill also addresses the resolution of protested solicitations and awards, allowing electronic submission of protests and requiring written notice of resolutions. It expands cooperative purchasing to include institutions of higher education and the International Peace Garden, while creating new sections for personal purchases from state contracts and guidelines for multiple award vendor pool contracts. Overall, the bill aims to streamline and modernize the state's purchasing practices, enhancing transparency and efficiency while protecting state interests.

Statutes affected:
PREFILED: 12-48-03.1, 44-04-18.4, 54-44.4-01, 54-44.4-02, 54-44.4-05, 54-44.4-05.1, 54-44.4-07, 54-44.4-09, 54-44.4-09.1, 54-44.4-12, 54-44.4-13, 54-44.4-14
Adopted by the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee: 44-04-18.4, 54-44.4-01, 54-44.4-02, 54-44.4-05, 54-44.4-07, 54-44.4-09, 54-44.4-09.1, 54-44.4-12, 54-44.4-13, 54-44.4-14
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 44-04-18.4, 54-44.4-01, 54-44.4-02, 54-44.4-05, 54-44.4-07, 54-44.4-09, 54-44.4-09.1, 54-44.4-12, 54-44.4-13, 54-44.4-14
Enrollment: 44-04-18.4, 54-44.4-01, 54-44.4-02, 54-44.4-05, 54-44.4-07, 54-44.4-09, 54-44.4-09.1, 54-44.4-12, 54-44.4-13, 54-44.4-14
INTRODUCED: 12-48-03.1, 44-04-18.4, 54-44.4-01, 54-44.4-02, 54-44.4-05, 54-44.4-05.1, 54-44.4-07, 54-44.4-09, 54-44.4-09.1, 54-44.4-12, 54-44.4-13, 54-44.4-14