This bill amends Section 208 of Title 61 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which pertains to the awarding of contracts for public construction projects. It clarifies the process by which the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) selects and awards contracts to construction managers and design consultants. Notably, the bill allows OMES to negotiate with the lowest responsible bidder when all bids exceed the programmed estimate and available funding, provided certain conditions are met. Additionally, it specifies that any fees negotiated for consulting work related to these contracts shall only include construction costs and exclude costs associated with interior design or furnishings.

Furthermore, the bill grants OMES the authority to issue solicitations and award statewide contracts for managed construction service delivery, as well as to provide facility management and operations services on a cost-recovery basis for state agencies. It also allows for exemptions from the act's provisions for certain state agencies, provided they meet specific compliance and reporting standards. The bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 61-208