The NH Senate has passed two bills targeting the states procurement practices. Senate bill 493 establishes a Best Value procurement commission specifically for the purchasing of construction services. Among the duties of the commission will be the investigation of current construction procurement practices for NH projects and the investigation of contracting practices used in other states. The commission will also identify the definition of Best Value and propose a pilot program for the implementation of Best Value contracting, including guidelines, standards, definitions, and criteria for use in the pilot program. The commission will propose standards to measure the success of the pilot program and determine the implementation to all state contracts. Senate Bill 495 establishes a task force to study policies and procedures for all state procurement, including construction. Among the duties of the task group will be the review of procurement systems in other states, consideration whether state procurement procedures should award preference to NH based businesses and whether state procurement procedures should award preference to companies providing sustainable wages and health insurance to their workers.

ABC appreciates and recognizes the challenge and responsibility of managing public funds and providing public services, including construction. We have urged the legislators to be very clear with the purpose of any criteria to be established and to be aware that some criteria can limit market participation in public construction, inflate cost and harm local workers and contractors. How will the criteria be scored, how will public officials be held accountable for controlling any confidential business information and will there be safeguards against favoritism are some of the comments expressed by ABC during hearings. Both bills will now “cross over” from the Senate to the House where hearings will be held and ABC will continue to represent our position and participate in the discussion. Any member who would like more information on either of these bills or any other legislative activity is urged to contact the Chapter office.