Bill Text: VA SB475 | 2020 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Virginia Public Procurement Act; use of best value contracting.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-29 - Passed by indefinitely in General Laws and Technology (15-Y 0-N) [SB475 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SB475-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§2.2-4303, 2.2-4304, 2.2-4305, 15.2-5102.1, 15.2-6314.1, 23.1-1002, and 33.2-223 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§2.2-4303. Methods of procurement.
A. All public contracts with nongovernmental contractors for the purchase or lease of goods, or for the purchase of services, insurance, or construction, shall be awarded after competitive sealed bidding, or competitive negotiation as provided in this section, unless otherwise authorized by law.
B. Professional services shall be procured by competitive negotiation.
C. Goods, services other than professional services, and insurance may be procured by competitive sealed bidding or competitive negotiation.
Upon a written determination made in advance by (i) the Governor or his designee in the case of a procurement by the Commonwealth or by a department, agency or institution thereof or (ii) the local governing body in the case of a procurement by a political subdivision of the Commonwealth, that competitive negotiation is either not practicable or not fiscally advantageous, insurance may be procured through a licensed agent or broker selected in the manner provided for the procurement of things other than professional services set forth in §2.2-4302.2. The basis for this determination shall be documented in writing.
D. Construction may be procured only by competitive sealed bidding, except that competitive negotiation may be used in the following instances:
1. By any public body on a fixed price design-build basis or construction management basis as provided in Chapter 43.1 (§2.2-4378 et seq.); or
2. By any public body for the construction of highways and any draining, dredging, excavation, grading or similar work upon real property upon a determination made in advance by the public body and set forth in writing that competitive sealed bidding is either not practicable or not fiscally advantageous to the public, which writing shall document the basis for this determination.
E. In addition to the provisions of subsection D, any public body may procure construction on a best value procurement basis using a numerical scoring system consisting of the following: (i) technical solution, 30 percent; (ii) past performance, 30 percent, including (a) price history of cost overruns, (b) schedule history of on-time delivery, and (c) contractor performance ratings from the immediately preceding five-year period; and (iii) price, 40 percent. The Request for Proposal shall contain a notice to potential offerors that the procurement decision will be made on a best value procurement basis. The Request for Proposal shall describe (1) the criteria that will be considered in evaluating the proposals and (2) the numerical scoring system that will be used in evaluating the proposals, including identification of the factors and weight values as set forth in this subsection.
F. Upon a determination in writing that there is only one source practicably available for that which is to be procured, a contract may be negotiated and awarded to that source without competitive sealed bidding or competitive negotiation. The writing shall document the basis for this determination. The public body shall issue a written notice stating that only one source was determined to be practicably available, and identifying that which is being procured, the contractor selected, and the date on which the contract was or will be awarded. This notice shall be posted on the Department of General Services' central electronic procurement website or other appropriate websites, and in addition, public bodies may publish in a newspaper of general circulation on the day the public body awards or announces its decision to award the contract, whichever occurs first. Posting on the Department of General Services' central electronic procurement website shall be required of any state public body. Local public bodies are encouraged to utilize the Department of General Services' central electronic procurement website to provide the public with centralized visibility and access to the Commonwealth's procurement opportunities.
F. G. In case of emergency, a
contract may be awarded without competitive sealed bidding or competitive
negotiation; however, such procurement shall be made with such competition as
is practicable under the circumstances. A written determination of the basis
for the emergency and for the selection of the particular contractor shall be
included in the contract file. The public body shall issue a written notice
stating that the contract is being awarded on an emergency basis, and
identifying that which is being procured, the contractor selected, and the date
on which the contract was or will be awarded. This notice shall be posted on
the Department of General Services' central electronic procurement website or
other appropriate websites, and in addition, public bodies may publish in a
newspaper of general circulation on the day the public body awards or announces
its decision to award the contract, whichever occurs first, or as soon
thereafter as is practicable. Posting on the Department of General Services'
central electronic procurement website shall be required of any state public
body. Local public bodies are encouraged to utilize the Department of General
Services' central electronic procurement website to provide the public with
centralized visibility and access to the Commonwealth's procurement
opportunities.
G. H. A
public body may establish purchase procedures, if adopted in writing, not
requiring competitive sealed bids or competitive negotiation for single or term
contracts for:
1. Goods and services other than professional services and non-transportation-related construction, if the aggregate or the sum of all phases is not expected to exceed $100,000; and
2. Transportation-related construction, if the aggregate or sum of all phases is not expected to exceed $25,000.
However, such small purchase procedures shall provide for competition wherever practicable.
Such purchase procedures may allow for single or term contracts for professional services without requiring competitive negotiation, provided the aggregate or the sum of all phases is not expected to exceed $80,000.
Where small purchase procedures are adopted for construction, the procedures shall not waive compliance with the Uniform State Building Code.
For state public bodies, purchases under this subsection that are expected to exceed $30,000 shall require the (a) written informal solicitation of a minimum of four bidders or offerors and (b) posting of a public notice on the Department of General Services' central electronic procurement website or other appropriate websites. Posting on the Department of General Services' central electronic procurement website shall be required of any state public body. Local public bodies are encouraged to utilize the Department of General Services' central electronic procurement website to provide the public with centralized visibility and access to the Commonwealth's procurement opportunities.
H. I. Upon a determination made in
advance by a public body and set forth in writing that the purchase of goods,
products or commodities from a public auction sale is in the best interests of
the public, such items may be purchased at the auction, including online public
auctions. Purchase of information technology and telecommunications goods and
nonprofessional services from a public auction sale shall be permitted by any
authority, department, agency, or institution of the Commonwealth if approved
by the Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth. The writing shall
document the basis for this determination. However, bulk purchases of
commodities used in road and highway construction and maintenance, and
aggregates shall not be made by online public auctions.
I. J. The purchase of goods or
nonprofessional services, but not construction or professional services, may be
made by reverse auctioning. However, bulk purchases of commodities used in road
and highway construction and maintenance, and aggregates shall not be made by
reverse auctioning.
§2.2-4304. Joint and cooperative procurement.
A. Any public body may participate in, sponsor, conduct, or administer a joint procurement agreement on behalf of or in conjunction with one or more other public bodies, or public agencies or institutions or localities of the several states, of the United States or its territories, the District of Columbia, the U.S. General Services Administration, or the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, for the purpose of combining requirements to increase efficiency or reduce administrative expenses in any acquisition of goods, services, or construction.
B. In addition, a public body may purchase from another public body's contract or from the contract of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments or the Virginia Sheriffs' Association even if it did not participate in the request for proposal or invitation to bid, if the request for proposal or invitation to bid specified that the procurement was a cooperative procurement being conducted on behalf of other public bodies, except for:
1. Contracts for architectural or engineering services; or
2. Construction. This subdivision shall not be construed to
prohibit sole source or emergency procurements awarded pursuant to subsections E and F and
G of §2.2-4303.
Subdivision 2 shall not apply to (i) the installation of artificial turf and track surfaces, (ii) stream restoration, or (iii) stormwater management practices, including all associated and necessary construction and maintenance.
In instances where any authority, department, agency, or institution of the Commonwealth desires to purchase information technology and telecommunications goods and services from another public body's contract and the procurement was conducted on behalf of other public bodies, such purchase shall be permitted if approved by the Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth. Any public body that enters into a cooperative procurement agreement with a county, city, or town whose governing body has adopted alternative policies and procedures pursuant to subdivisions A 9 and A 10 of § 2.2-4343 shall comply with the alternative policies and procedures adopted by the governing body of such county, city, or town.
C. Subject to the provisions of §§2.2-1110, 2.2-1111, 2.2-1120 and 2.2-2012, any authority, department, agency, or institution of the Commonwealth may participate in, sponsor, conduct, or administer a joint procurement arrangement in conjunction with public bodies, private health or educational institutions or with public agencies or institutions of the several states, territories of the United States, or the District of Columbia, for the purpose of combining requirements to effect cost savings or reduce administrative expense in any acquisition of goods and services, other than professional services, and construction.
A public body may purchase from any authority, department, agency or institution of the Commonwealth's contract even if it did not participate in the request for proposal or invitation to bid, if the request for proposal or invitation to bid specified that the procurement was a cooperative procurement being conducted on behalf of other public bodies. In such instances, deviation from the procurement procedures set forth in this chapter and the administrative policies and procedures established to implement this chapter shall be permitted, if approved by the Director of the Division of Purchases and Supply.
Pursuant to §2.2-2012, such approval is not required if the procurement arrangement is for telecommunications and information technology goods and services of every description. In instances where the procurement arrangement is for telecommunications and information technology goods and services, such arrangement shall be permitted if approved by the Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth. However, such acquisitions shall be procured competitively.
Nothing herein shall prohibit the payment by direct or indirect means of any administrative fee that will allow for participation in any such arrangement.
D. As authorized by the United States Congress and consistent with applicable federal regulations, and provided the terms of the contract permit such purchases:
1. Any authority, department, agency, or institution of the Commonwealth may purchase goods and nonprofessional services, other than telecommunications and information technology, from a U.S. General Services Administration contract or a contract awarded by any other agency of the U.S. government, upon approval of the director of the Division of Purchases and Supply of the Department of General Services;
2. Any authority, department, agency, or institution of the Commonwealth may purchase telecommunications and information technology goods and nonprofessional services from a U.S. General Services Administration contract or a contract awarded by any other agency of the U.S. government, upon approval of the Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth; and
3. Any county, city, town, or school board may purchase goods and nonprofessional services from a U.S. General Services Administration contract or a contract awarded by any other agency of the U.S. government.
§2.2-4305. Competitive procurement by localities on state-aid projects.
No contract for the construction of any building or for an
addition to or improvement of an existing building by any local governing body
or subdivision thereof for which state funds of not more than $50,000 in the
aggregate or for the sum of all phases of a contract or project either by
appropriation, grant-in-aid or loan, are used or are to be used for all or part
of the cost of construction shall be let allowed except after (i) competitive sealed bidding
or after competitive negotiation as provided under subsection D of §2.2-4303
or Chapter 43.1 (§2.2-4378 et seq.) or (ii) using best
value contracting as provided under subsection E of §2.2-4303.
The procedure for the advertising for bids or for proposals and for letting of
the contract shall conform, mutatis mutandis, to this chapter.
§15.2-5102.1. (Contingent expiration date) Hampton Roads area refuse collection and disposal system authority.
Any authority, or any subsidiary thereof, organized pursuant to §15.2-5102 to operate a refuse collection and disposal system that has among its members the Cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Franklin, and the Counties of Isle of Wight, Southampton, and Suffolk, shall, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, comply with the following requirements:
1. Each locality that is a member of the authority shall be entitled to nominate individuals to fill one position on the Board of Directors (the Board) by submitting a list of three potential directors, each of whom shall possess general business knowledge and shall not be an elected official, to the Governor. The Governor shall then select and appoint one director from each of the lists of nominees prepared by the member localities. In addition, each member locality shall be authorized to directly appoint, upon a majority vote of the governing body of the member locality, one ex officio member of the Board who shall be an employee of the member locality. The members of the Board shall be appointed for terms of four years each. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. No member shall serve for more than two consecutive four-year terms, except that (i) any member appointed to the unexpired term of another shall be eligible to serve two consecutive four-year terms and (ii) a member directly appointed by the governing body of a member locality shall not be subject to a term limit.
2. The authority shall develop and maintain an overall strategic plan that shall cover a period of at least five years forward from the year in which it is submitted and approved by the Board. The plans shall be reviewed annually to determine whether amendments are needed. Any such amendments shall be submitted to the board of directors for approval.
3. The authority's core purpose shall be defined as "management of the safe and environmentally sound disposal of regional waste." The authority shall devote its time and effort to activities associated with its core purpose. A vote of a majority of the Board shall be required prior to undertaking any activities not associated with the authority's core purpose.
4. The authority shall develop and maintain a strategic operating plan identifying all elements of its core business units and core purpose, how each business and administrative unit will support the overall strategic plan, and how the authority will achieve its stated mission and core purpose. The strategic operating plan shall be subject to review and approval of the Board on an annual basis.
5. The authority shall consider outsourcing any or all functions that may result in reduced costs to the authority, and the authority shall annually issue requests for proposals that potentially reduce the costs of any of its programs. In addition, the authority shall accept and review any proposals under the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (§56-575.1 et seq.) that potentially reduce the costs of any of the authority's programs.
6. The authority shall evaluate its landfill capacity annually, taking into consideration and projecting future changes in the quantity of waste disposed of in its landfill, or landfills reasonably situated or contractually obligated to accept its waste.
7. The authority shall keep records of its costs, revenue, debts, and capital expenses by fiscal year for each program. The authority shall also keep records of costs for each individual capital project.
8. The authority shall maintain a detailed financing plan that shall include a plan for the retirement of all debt and a plan for the funding of all planned capital projects. The plan for the funding of all planned capital projects shall specify the amount of debt the authority will issue in furtherance of the projects and the debt repayment plan for any new debt created by the capital projects, including the revenue source that will be used to repay the debt. The detailed financing plan shall be updated and approved annually by the Board and reviewed and certified annually by an external certified public accountant.
9. Prior to issuance of new debt, the Board shall perform a due diligence investigation of the appropriateness of issuing the debt, including an analysis of the costs of repaying the debt. Such analysis shall be certified by an external certified public accountant, reviewed by the Board, and approved by a vote of a minimum of 75 percent of the Board. The issuance of new debt shall require a vote of a minimum of 75 percent of the Board of Directors of the authority. The authority shall not issue long-term bond indebtedness to fund operational expenses. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the issuance of new debt issued for the purpose of refunding or refinancing debt incurred by the authority prior to September 30, 2009.
10. In the interest of open and transparent government, the authority shall adhere strictly to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (§2.2-3700 et seq.).
11. The executive director of the authority shall not be
permitted to execute or commit the authority to any contract, memorandum of
agreement or memorandum of understanding without an informed vote of approval
by the Board. This subdivision shall not apply in the case of (i) contracts for
the purchase of goods and services for an aggregate sum of less than $30,000,
which are subject to the Virginia Procurement Act (Va. Code §2.2-4300 et seq.)
but exempted from competitive negotiation or competitive sealed bidding by a
duly adopted policy of the Board and (ii) sole source and emergency
procurements made pursuant to subsections E
and F and G
of §2.2-4303.
§15.2-6314.1. Applicability of the Virginia Personnel Act and the Virginia Public Procurement Act.
A. Employees of an authority created by a locality shall be exempt from the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act (§2.2-2900 et seq.) if (i) the locality has personnel policies and procedures that are consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the Virginia Personnel Act; and (ii) such authority adopts the locality's personnel policies and procedures. In any event, personnel actions shall be taken without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, handicap, or political affiliation.
B. Any authority created under this chapter shall be subject
to the terms of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§2.2-4300 et seq.). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, should the United States Department of Defense place a federal
area on a list of installations to be closed or realigned under the authority
granted to the United States Department of Defense pursuant to the federal
Defense Base Closure And Realignment Act of 1990 (United States Public Law
101-501, as amended through the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal
Year 2003), and such federal area is subject to the jurisdiction of an
authority created by a locality, such listing of that installation shall
qualify as an "emergency" under subsection F G of §2.2-4303 of the
Virginia Public Procurement Act.
§23.1-1002. Eligibility for restructured financial and administrative operational authority and financial benefits.
A. The state goals for each public institution of higher education are to:
1. Consistent with its institutional mission, provide access to higher education for all citizens throughout the Commonwealth, including underrepresented populations, and consistent with subdivision 4 of §23.1-203 and in accordance with anticipated demand analysis, meet enrollment projections and degree estimates as agreed upon with the Council. Each such institution shall bear a measure of responsibility for ensuring that the statewide demand for enrollment is met;
2. Consistent with §23.1-306, ensure that higher education remains affordable, regardless of individual or family income, and through a periodic assessment determine the impact of tuition and fee levels net of financial aid on applications, enrollment, and student indebtedness incurred for the payment of tuition, mandatory fees, and other necessary charges;
3. Offer a broad range of undergraduate and, where appropriate, graduate programs consistent with its mission and assess regularly the extent to which the institution's curricula and degree programs address the Commonwealth's need for sufficient graduates in particular shortage areas, including specific academic disciplines, professions, and geographic regions;
4. Ensure that the institution's academic programs and course offerings maintain high academic standards by undertaking a continuous review and improvement of academic programs, course availability, faculty productivity, and other relevant factors;
5. Improve student retention so that students progress from initial enrollment to a timely graduation and the number of degrees conferred increases as enrollment increases;
6. Consistent with its institutional mission, develop articulation agreements that have uniform application to all comprehensive community colleges and meet appropriate general education and program requirements at the baccalaureate institution of higher education, provide additional opportunities for associate degree graduates to be admitted and enrolled, and offer dual enrollment programs in cooperation with high schools;
7. Actively contribute to efforts to stimulate the economic development of the Commonwealth and the area in which the institution is located, and for those institutions subject to a management agreement pursuant to Article 4 (§23.1-1004 et seq.), in areas with below-state average income levels and employment rates;
8. Consistent with its institutional mission, increase the level of externally funded research conducted at the institution and facilitate the transfer of technology from university research centers to private sector companies;
9. Work actively and cooperatively with public elementary and secondary school administrators, teachers, and students to improve student achievement, upgrade the knowledge and skills of teachers, and strengthen leadership skills of school administrators;
10. Prepare a six-year financial plan consistent with § 23.1-306;
11. Conduct the institution's business affairs in a manner that (i) helps maximize the operational efficiencies and economies of the institution and the Commonwealth and (ii) meets all financial and administrative management standards pursuant to §23.1-1001 specified by the Governor and included in the current general appropriation act, which shall include best practices for electronic procurement and leveraged purchasing, information technology, real estate portfolio management, and diversity of suppliers through fair and reasonable consideration of small, women-owned, and minority-owned business enterprises; and
12. Seek to ensure the safety and security of students on campus.
B. Each public institution of higher education that meets the state goals set forth in subsection A on or after August 1, 2005, may:
1. Dispose of its surplus materials at the location where the surplus materials are held and retain any proceeds from such disposal as provided in subdivision B 14 of §2.2-1124;
2. As provided in and pursuant to the conditions in subsection C of §2.2-1132, contract with a building official of the locality in which construction is taking place and for such official to perform any inspection and certifications required to comply with the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§36-97 et seq.) pursuant to subsection C of §36-98.1;
3. For each public institution of higher education that has in effect a signed memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Administration regarding participation in the nongeneral fund decentralization program as set forth in the general appropriation act, as provided in subsection C of §2.2-1132, enter into contracts for specific construction projects without the preliminary review and approval of the Division of Engineering and Buildings of the Department of General Services, provided that such institutions are in compliance with the requirements of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§2.2-4300 et seq.) and utilize the general terms and conditions for those forms of procurement approved by the Division of Engineering and Buildings and the Office of the Attorney General;
4. Acquire easements as provided in subdivision 4 of § 2.2-1149;
5. Enter into an operating/income lease or capital lease pursuant to the conditions and provisions in subdivision 5 of §2.2-1149;
6. Convey an easement pertaining to any property such institution owns or controls as provided in subsection C of §2.2-1150;
7. In accordance with the conditions and provisions in subdivision C 2 of §2.2-1153, sell surplus real property that is possessed and controlled by the institution and valued at less than $5 million;
8. For purposes of compliance with §2.2-4310, procure goods, services, and construction from a vendor that the institution has certified as a small, women-owned, or minority-owned business enterprise pursuant to the conditions and provisions in §2.2-1609;
9. Be exempt from review of its budget request for information technology by the CIO as provided in subdivision B 3 of §2.2-2007.1;
10. Adopt policies for the designation of administrative and professional faculty positions at the institution pursuant to the conditions and provisions in subsection E of §2.2-2901;
11. Be exempt from reporting its purchases to the Secretary of Education, provided that all purchases, including sole source purchases, are placed through the Commonwealth's electronic procurement system using proper system codes for the methods of procurement; and
12. Utilize as methods of procurement a fixed price, design-build, or construction management contract in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 43.1 (§2.2-4378 et seq.) of Title 2.2.
C. Each public institution of higher education that (i) has been certified during the fiscal year by the Council pursuant to §23.1-206 as having met the institutional performance benchmarks for public institutions of higher education and (ii) meets the state goals set in subsection A shall receive the following financial benefits:
1. Interest on the tuition and fees and other nongeneral fund Educational and General Revenues deposited into the state treasury by the institution, as provided in the general appropriation act. Such interest shall be paid from the general fund and shall be an appropriate and equitable amount as determined and certified in writing by the Secretary of Finance to the Comptroller by the end of each fiscal year or as soon as practicable after the end of such fiscal year;
2. Any unexpended appropriations of the public institution of higher education at the end of the fiscal year, which shall be reappropriated and allotted for expenditure by the institution in the immediately following fiscal year;
3. A pro rata amount of the rebate due to the Commonwealth on credit card purchases of $5,000 or less made during the fiscal year. The amount to be paid to each institution shall equal a pro rata share based upon its total transactions of $5,000 or less using the credit card that is approved for use by all state agencies as compared to all transactions of $5,000 or less using such card by all state agencies. The Comptroller shall determine the public institution's pro rata share and, as provided in the general appropriation act, shall pay the institution by August 15 of the fiscal year immediately following the year of certification or as soon as practicable after August 15 of such fiscal year. The payment to an institution of its pro rata share under this subdivision shall also be applicable to other rebate or refund programs in effect that are similar to that of the credit card rebate program described in this subdivision. The Secretary of Finance shall identify such other rebate or refund programs and shall determine the pro rata share to be paid to the institution; and
4. A rebate of any transaction fees for the prior fiscal year
paid for sole source procurements made by the institution in accordance with
subsection E F
of §2.2-4303 for using a vendor that is not registered with the Department of
General Services' web-based electronic procurement program commonly known as
"eVA," as provided in the general appropriation act. Such rebate
shall be certified by the Department of General Services and paid to each
public institution by August 15 of the fiscal year immediately following the
year of certification or as soon as practicable after August 15 of such fiscal
year.
§33.2-223. General powers of Commissioner of Highways.
Except such powers as are conferred by law upon the Board and the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment of the Secretary of Transportation, the Commissioner of Highways shall have the power to do all acts necessary or convenient for constructing, improving, maintaining, and preserving the efficient operation of the highways embraced in the systems of state highways and to further the interests of the Commonwealth in the areas of public transportation, railways, seaports, and airports. And as executive head of the Department, the Commissioner of Highways is specifically charged with the duty of executing all orders and decisions of the Board and may, subject to the provisions of this chapter, require that all appointees and employees perform their duties under this chapter.
In addition, the Commissioner of Highways, in order to
maximize efficiency, shall take such steps as may be appropriate to outsource
or privatize any of the Department's functions that might reasonably be
provided by the private sector. Procuring equipment and labor to ensure that
adequate resources will be available to address emergency and weather-related
events as they may arise, including snow and ice removal services, shall be
considered an emergency under subsection F G of §2.2-4303, and the
Commissioner of Highways shall have the authority to establish and utilize such
procedures as he deems necessary and most efficient to obtain and ensure the
availability of such services to protect the safety and security of the traveling
public.
