Bill Text: CA AB2762 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Public contracts: disabled veteran business enterprises: local small business enterprises: social enterprises.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-09-21 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 654, Statutes of 2018. [AB2762 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB2762-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Senate  June 25, 2018

Amended  IN  Assembly  May 03, 2018

Amended  IN  Assembly  March 22, 2018

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 2762

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Introduced by Assembly Members Carrillo and Muratsuchi

February 16, 2018

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An act to amend Section 2002 of of, and to add and repeal Section 2003 of, the Public Contract Code, relating to public contracts.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 2762, as amended, Carrillo. Public contracts: disabled veteran business enterprises: local small business enterprises: social enterprises.

Existing law authorizes a local agency in facilitating contract awards to small businesses to provide for a small business preference of 5% in construction, the procurement of goods, or the delivery of services, and establishes a subcontracting participation goal for small businesses on contracts with a 5% preference for those bidders who meet the goal. Existing law authorizes each local agency to define a small business for the purposes of these preferences and goals.

This bill would increase the above-described preference for small business to 7%. The bill, until January 1, 2024, would expand this preference to also establish preferences, in specified counties, for disabled veteran businesses and social enterprises, as defined, and would increase the preferences to provide for the preferences to be a maximum of 7% for an individual preference and up to 15% for a single bid having 2 or more preferences. The bill would limit the value of all combined preferences to a maximum of $200,000 $100,000. The bill would authorize a prime contractor, with the approval of the local agency, to substitute another subcontractor with the same preference category for the purpose of meeting specified goals. The bill would require a local agency that grants a preference under these provisions to establish a certification process for social enterprises using specified criteria. The bill would also authorize each local agency to define a disabled veteran business and social enterprise and to define their eligibility for the purposes of these preferences and goals.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Lake, Los Angeles, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 2002 of the Public Contract Code is amended to read:

2002.

 (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law requiring a local agency to award contracts to the lowest responsible bidder, any local agency may do any of the following in facilitating contract awards to small businesses, disabled veteran businesses, or social enterprises: businesses:

(1) Provide for a small business, disabled veteran business, or social enterprise business preference in construction, the procurement of goods, or the delivery of services where responsibility and quality are equal.

(A)The

The local agency shall set the percent and financial value of a preference. The maximum percentage of a preference shall be 7 percent of the lowest responsible bidder meeting specifications and the maximum financial value shall be one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for any bid.

(B)If the local agency authorizes the use of more than one preference in a single bid, the local agency shall set the percentage and maximum financial value of the combined preferences. The maximum percentage of combined preferences shall be 15 percent of the lowest responsible bidder and the maximum combined financial value of all preferences shall be two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000).

(2) Establish a subcontracting participation goal for small businesses, disabled veteran businesses, or social enterprises businesses on contracts and grant a preference, pursuant to paragraph (1), to those bidders who meet the goal.

(3) (A) Require bidders to make good faith efforts to meet a subcontracting participation goal for small business, disabled veteran business, or social enterprise business contracts. Bidders that fail to meet the goal established by the local agency, shall demonstrate that they made good faith efforts to meet the goal.

(B) A prime contractor may, subject to the approval of the local agency, replace a subcontractor with another small business, disabled veteran business, or social enterprise, business as applicable.

(4) Set additional guidelines for local preference purposes.

(b) (1) The local agency shall define the eligibility for a preference authorized pursuant to this section.

(2) In defining eligibility, for a “small business,” “disabled veteran business,” and “social enterprise,” “small business” a local agency shall, at a minimum, include businesses meeting the requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) as a small business, businesses meeting the requirements of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) as a disabled veteran business, and an entity meeting the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) as a social enterprise. business.

(c) For the purposes of this section:

(1)“Small section, “small business” includes, but is not limited to, a small business enterprise certified pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 14835) of Chapter 6.5 of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(2)“Disabled veteran business” includes a disabled veteran business enterprise certified pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 999) of Chapter 6 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans Code.

(3)“Social enterprise” includes a nonprofit or for profit business whose primary purpose is to benefit the economic, environmental, or social health of the community and which uses the methods and disciplines of business and the power of the marketplace to advance its social, environmental, and human justice agendas, wherein the organization applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in human and environmental well-being that may include maximizing social impact rather than profits for external shareholders. A “social enterprise” shall be a business that has been in operation for at least one year providing transitional or permanent employment to a transitional workforce or providing social, environmental, or human justice services. A “social enterprise” shall only include a social enterprise certified by the administering local agency or by an entity the local agency identifies in the procurement policy adopted pursuant to subdivision (d).

(4)“Transitional employment” means short-term or long-term, wage-paying, subsidized or nonsubsidized employment that combines real work, skill development, and supportive services to help a traditional workforce overcome barriers to employment and transition to unsubsidized competitive employment.

(5)“Transitional workforce” means underemployed or hard-to-employ persons who may be homeless, formerly incarcerated, or who either have not worked for an extended period of time or face significant barriers to employment, where applicable.

(d) Every local agency that offers a preference, pursuant to this section, shall, prior to offering a preference, adopt a procurement policy that includes, at a minimum, all of the following:

(1) A definition of an eligible entity for each preference category being utilized by the local agency.

(2) The percentage and maximum financial value of a single preference.

(3)If the local agency allows multiple preferences in a bid package, the percentage and maximum financial value of multiple preferences in a bid package, if authorized by a local agency.

(4)

(3) A requirement that a preference only be awarded to a small business, disabled veteran business, or social enterprise business that performs a commercially useful function, as defined in subdivision (e).

(5)

(4) A policy regarding oversight and potential fraudulent behavior on the part of a contractor, subcontractor, or individual for the purpose of qualifying as a small business, disabled veteran business, or social enterprise business and being awarded a preference.

(6)If the local agency offers a preference for social enterprise participation, a certification process for social enterprises, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c).

(7)

(5) A policy for determining whether a contractor has made a good faith effort, pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).

(8)Policy

(6) A policy on how a prime contractor may replace a subcontractor, pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).

(e) Every entity used to qualify a bid for a preference pursuant to this section shall perform a commercially useful function. A “commercially useful function” means:

(1) A contractor is deemed to perform a commercially useful function if the contractor, including a subcontractor, does all of the following:

(A) Is responsible for the execution of a distinct element of the work of the contract.

(B) Carries out its obligation by actually performing, managing, or supervising the work involved.

(C) Performs work that is normal for its business services and functions.

(D) Is responsible, with respect to products, inventories, materials, and supplies required for the contract, for negotiating price, determining quality and quantity, ordering, installing, if applicable, and making payment.

(E) Is not further subcontracting a portion of the work that is greater than that expected to be subcontracted by normal industry practices.

(2) A contractor or subcontractor shall not be considered to perform a commercially useful function if the contractor’s or subcontractor’s role is limited to that of an extra participant in a transaction, contract, or project through which funds are passed in order to obtain the appearance of a small business, a disabled veteran business, or a social enterprise. business.

(f)The authority in subdivision (a) to provide a preference to disabled veteran businesses and social enterprises shall expire on January 1, 2024, unless a later enacted statute extends the date.

SEC. 2.

 Section 2003 is added to the Public Contract Code, to read:

2003.

 (a) Notwithstanding Section 2002 or any other law requiring a local agency to award contracts to the lowest responsible bidder, any local agency located within the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Lake, Los Angeles, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma may do any of the following in facilitating contract awards to small businesses, disabled veteran businesses, or social enterprises:

(1) Provide for a small business, disabled veteran business, or social enterprise preference in construction, the procurement of goods, or the delivery of services where responsibility and quality are equal.

(A) The local agency shall set the percent and financial value of a preference. The maximum percentage of a preference shall be 7 percent of the lowest responsible bidder meeting specifications and the maximum financial value shall be one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for any bid.

(B) If the local agency authorizes the use of more than one preference in a single bid, the local agency shall set the percentage and maximum financial value of the combined preferences. The maximum percentage of combined preferences shall be 15 percent of the lowest responsible bidder and the maximum combined financial value of all preferences shall be two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000).

(2) Establish a subcontracting participation goal for small businesses, disabled veteran businesses, or social enterprises on contracts and grant a preference, pursuant to paragraph (1), to those bidders who meet the goal.

(3) (A) Require bidders to make good faith efforts to meet a subcontracting participation goal for small business, disabled veteran business, or social enterprise contracts. Bidders that fail to meet the goal established by the local agency shall demonstrate that they made good faith efforts to meet the goal.

(B) A prime contractor may, subject to the approval of the local agency, replace a subcontractor with another small business, disabled veteran business, or social enterprise, as applicable.

(4) Set additional guidelines for local preference purposes.

(b) (1) The local agency shall define the eligibility for a preference authorized pursuant to this section.

(2) In defining eligibility for a “small business,” “disabled veteran business,” and “social enterprise,” a local agency shall, at a minimum, include businesses meeting the requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) as a small business, businesses meeting the requirements of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) as a disabled veteran business, and an entity meeting the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) as a social enterprise.

(c) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Small business” includes, but is not limited to, a small business enterprise certified pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 14835) of Chapter 6.5 of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(2) “Disabled veteran business” includes a disabled veteran business enterprise certified pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 999) of Chapter 6 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans Code.

(3) “Social enterprise” includes a nonprofit or for-profit business whose primary purpose is to benefit the economic, environmental, or social health of the community and which uses the methods and disciplines of business and the power of the marketplace to advance its social, environmental, and human justice agendas, wherein the organization applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in human and environmental well-being that may include maximizing social impact rather than profits for external shareholders. A “social enterprise” shall be a business that has been in operation for at least one year providing transitional or permanent employment to a transitional workforce or providing social, environmental, or human justice services. A “social enterprise” shall only include a social enterprise certified by the administering local agency or by an entity the local agency identifies in the procurement policy adopted pursuant to subdivision (d).

(4) “Transitional employment” means short-term or long-term, wage-paying, subsidized, or nonsubsidized employment that combines real work, skill development, and supportive services to help a transitional workforce overcome barriers to employment and transition to unsubsidized competitive employment.

(5) “Transitional workforce” means underemployed or hard-to-employ persons who may be homeless, formerly incarcerated, or who either have not worked for an extended period of time or face significant barriers to employment, where applicable.

(d) Every local agency that offers a preference, pursuant to this section, shall, prior to offering a preference, adopt a procurement policy that includes, at a minimum, all of the following:

(1) A definition of an eligible entity for each preference category being utilized by the local agency.

(2) The percentage and maximum financial value of a single preference.

(3) If the local agency allows multiple preferences in a bid package, the percentage and maximum financial value of multiple preferences in a bid package, if authorized by a local agency.

(4) A requirement that a preference only be awarded to a small business, disabled veteran business, or social enterprise that performs a commercially useful function, as defined in subdivision (e).

(5) A policy regarding oversight and potential fraudulent behavior on the part of a contractor, subcontractor, or individual for the purpose of qualifying as a small business, disabled veteran business, or social enterprise and being awarded a preference.

(6) If the local agency offers a preference for social enterprise participation, a certification process for social enterprises, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c).

(7) A policy for determining whether a contractor has made a good faith effort, pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).

(8) Policy on how a prime contractor may replace a subcontractor, pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).

(e) Every entity used to qualify a bid for a preference pursuant to this section shall perform a commercially useful function. A “commercially useful function” means:

(1) A contractor is deemed to perform a commercially useful function if the contractor, including a subcontractor, does all of the following:

(A) Is responsible for the execution of a distinct element of the work of the contract.

(B) Carries out its obligation by actually performing, managing, or supervising the work involved.

(C) Performs work that is normal for its business services and functions.

(D) Is responsible, with respect to products, inventories, materials, and supplies required for the contract, for negotiating price, determining quality and quantity, ordering, installing, if applicable, and making payment.

(E) Is not further subcontracting a portion of the work that is greater than that expected to be subcontracted by normal industry practices.

(2) A contractor or subcontractor shall not be considered to perform a commercially useful function if the contractor’s or subcontractor’s role is limited to that of an extra participant in a transaction, contract, or project through which funds are passed in order to obtain the appearance of a small business, a disabled veteran business, or a social enterprise.

(f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2024, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 3.

 The Legislature finds and declares that a special statute is necessary and that a general statute cannot be made applicable within the meaning of Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution because of the need to establish a pilot program for disabled veteran businesses and social enterprises in several counties that contain different demographic and socioeconomic conditions.