The bill amends the County College Contracts Law in New Jersey to enhance the powers and responsibilities of county college boards regarding procurement processes. Key changes include raising the public bid threshold from $41,600 to $100,000 for contracts not subject to the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act, while maintaining the existing threshold for compliant contracts. The bill also expands exemptions from public bidding to include various services such as electronic media and IT consulting, and allows for reverse auctions for utilities and commodities. Additionally, it increases the maximum duration for contracts from 24 to 36 months, with some contracts permitted for up to five years.

Significant insertions in the bill include provisions that allow boards to disqualify bidders based on prior negative experiences, ensuring accountability in the bidding process. The criteria for awarding contracts are modified to focus on selecting the most advantageous bid rather than strictly the lowest responsible bidder. The bill also clarifies the process for disqualifications, requiring written notice and an opportunity for a hearing. Overall, these amendments aim to streamline procurement processes while enhancing transparency and flexibility for county colleges in managing contracts and property sales.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:64A-25.2, 18A:64A-25.3, 18A:64A-25.4, 18A:64A-25.5, 18A:64A-25.6, 18A:64A-25.8, 18A:64A-25.14, 18A:64A-25.19, 18A:64A-25.25, 18A:64A-25.27, 18A:64A-25.28