This bill seeks to amend and reenact several sections of the North Dakota Century Code to improve state purchasing practices, particularly in the procurement processes for state officials and employees. It introduces new definitions, such as "information technology," and establishes requirements for multiple award vendor pool contracts. The bill modifies existing provisions regarding the confidentiality of bids and proposals, enhancing transparency by removing certain exemptions related to the confidentiality of records. Additionally, it emphasizes the use of environmentally preferable and biobased products in state purchasing, while clarifying that contracts for multiple state agencies must be designated as state contracts or cooperative purchasing contracts. New requirements for bidders include the necessity to register on a bidders list prior to submitting responses to solicitations.
Moreover, the bill outlines procedures for protests and appeals related to procurement decisions, requiring procurement officers to provide written notice of resolutions and decisions within specified timeframes. It establishes that appeals must be filed within seven calendar days and allows for extensions of protest and appeal review periods with written notice. The bill also facilitates cooperative purchasing by enabling institutions of higher education to create contracts for use by other institutions and broadening the scope of eligible entities for such agreements. Additionally, it mandates the creation of a procurement information website to share current opportunities and allows state agencies to utilize this platform for solicitation notices. Overall, the bill aims to streamline procurement processes, enhance transparency, and ensure compliance with established standards in state purchasing practices.
Statutes affected: 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
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
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