This bill amends West Virginia Code §5A-3-10 to mandate that the director shall, without competitive bidding, purchase commodities and services produced by nonprofit workshops located in the state, provided that these goods are of fair market price and comparable quality to other available options. The bill also requires the director to consult with the Committee on the Purchase of Commodities and Services from the Handicapped when making these purchasing decisions. Additionally, the director is tasked with employing a dedicated individual to identify available commodities and services from nonprofit workshops, evaluate state needs, and facilitate communication between the workshops and state government regarding purchasing opportunities.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the responsibilities of spending units regarding procurement limits and reporting requirements. It prohibits spending units from circumventing established procurement limits and mandates that they report any multiple contracts awarded for similar commodities or services within a 12-month period. The director is also given the authority to accept electronic bids and must ensure compliance with these regulations, including conducting reviews and reporting findings to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance biannually.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5A-3-10