New state contracting requirements approved

Lawmakers passed a bill April 2 seeking to improve the procedure by which state agencies contract for services.

Introduced by Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery, LB858 applies to contracts valued at more than $15 million and requires the involvement of the state Department of Administrative Services (DAS).

The bill requires a state agency to submit a copy of a proposed contract and a proof-of-need analysis to DAS, which must certify a submitted analysis as complete before an agency may proceed with contracting services.

The bill also removes a current exemption from state bidding requirements for state contracts with direct providers of medical, behavioral or developmental health services, child care or child welfare service to an individual.

Priority for vending contracts in state- or federally-owned buildings will be given to blind or visually impaired bidders if the product price in a submitted bid is comparable in price to the other bids for products sold in similar buildings or on similar property and the qualifications and capabilities of the vendors bidding the contract are similar to other bidders.

LB858 passed 46-0.