Section | Headnote |
---|---|
16C.01 | Repealed, 1985 c 285 s 54 |
16C.02 | Definitions. |
16C.03 | Commissioner's authority; powers and duties. |
16C.04 | Ethical practices and conflict of interest. |
16C.05 | Contract management; validity and review. |
16C.06 | Acquisitions. |
16C.07 | Employee skills inventory. |
16C.08 | Professional or technical services. |
16C.09 | Procedure for service contracts. |
16C.10 | Exceptions to the solicitation process. |
16C.11 | Cooperative purchasing venture; purchasing revolving fund. |
16C.12 | Agricultural food products grown in state. |
16C.13 | Certain vehicles. |
16C.14 | Energy efficiency installment purchases. |
16C.15 | Sheltered workshops and services work activity programs. |
16C.16 | Designation of procurements from small businesses. |
16C.17 | Encouragement of participation; advisory council. |
16C.18 | Reports. |
16C.19 | Eligibility; rules. |
16C.20 | Certification. |
16C.21 | Criminal penalty. |
16C.22 | District heating. |
16C.23 | Surplus property acquisition, distribution, and disposal. |
16C.24 | Rules. |
16C.25 | Building and construction contracts. |
16C.01 Repealed, 1985 c 285 s 54
16C.02 Definitions.
Subdivision 1. Applicability. For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the meanings given them, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Subd. 2. Agency. "Agency" means any state officer, employee, board, commission, authority, department, entity, or organization of the executive branch of state government.
Unless specifically provided elsewhere in this chapter, agency does not include the Minnesota state colleges and universities.
Subd. 3. Award. "Award" means a commissioner's written acceptance of a bid or proposal to provide goods, services, or utilities.
Subd. 4. Best value. "Best value" describes a result intended in the acquisition of all goods and services. Price must be one of the evaluation criteria when acquiring goods and services. Other evaluation criteria may include, but are not limited to, environmental considerations, quality, and vendor performance.
Subd. 5. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of administration.
Subd. 6. Contract. "Contract" means any written instrument or electronic document containing the elements of offer, acceptance, and consideration to which an agency is a party.
Subd. 7. Formal solicitation. "Formal solicitation" means a solicitation which requires a sealed response.
Subd. 8. Goods. "Goods" means all types of personal property including commodities, materials, supplies, and equipment.
Subd. 9. Informal solicitation. "Informal solicitation" means a solicitation which does not require a sealed response.
Subd. 10. Lease. "Lease" means a contract conveying from one entity to another the use of real or personal property for a designated period of time in return for payment or other consideration.
Subd. 11. Request for bid or RFB. "Request for bid" or "RFB" means a solicitation in which the terms, conditions, and specifications are described and responses are not subject to negotiation.
Subd. 12. Request for proposal or RFP. "Request for proposal" or "RFP" means a solicitation in which it is not advantageous to set forth all the actual, detailed requirements at the time of solicitation and responses are subject to negotiation.
Subd. 13. Resident vendor. "Resident vendor" means a person, firm, or corporation authorized to conduct business in the state of Minnesota on the date a solicitation for a contract is first advertised or announced. It includes a foreign corporation duly authorized to engage in business in Minnesota.
Subd. 14. Response. "Response" means the offer received from a vendor in response to a solicitation. A response includes submissions commonly referred to as "offers," "bids," "quotes," or "proposals."
Subd. 15. Sealed. "Sealed" means a method determined by the commissioner to prevent the contents being revealed or known before the deadline for submission of responses.
Subd. 16. Service contract. "Service contract" means a contract for any nonprofessional or technical services.
Subd. 17. Services. "Services" means, unless otherwise indicated, both professional or technical services and service performed under a service contract.
Subd. 18. Single source. "Single source" means an acquisition where, after a search, only one supplier is determined to be reasonably available for the required product, service, or construction item.
Subd. 19. Solicitation. "Solicitation" means the process used to communicate procurement requirements and to request responses from interested vendors. A solicitation may be, but is not limited to, a request for bid and request for proposal.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 3
16C.03 Commissioner's authority; powers and duties.
Subdivision 1. Scope. The commissioner's authority in this section applies to an agency and is subject to other provisions of this chapter and chapter 16B. Unless otherwise provided, the provisions in this chapter and chapter 16B do not apply to the Minnesota state colleges and universities.
Subd. 2. Rulemaking authority. Subject to chapter 14, the commissioner may adopt rules, consistent with this chapter and chapter 16B, relating to the following topics:
(1) solicitations and responses to solicitations, bid security, vendor errors, opening of responses, award of contracts, tied bids, and award protest process;
(2) contract performance and failure to perform;
(3) authority to debar or suspend vendors, and reinstatement of vendors;
(4) contract cancellation; and
(5) procurement from rehabilitation facilities.
Subd. 3. Acquisition authority. The commissioner shall acquire all goods, services, and utilities needed by agencies. The commissioner shall acquire goods, services, and utilities by requests for bids, requests for proposals, or other methods provided by law, unless a section of law requires a particular method of acquisition to be used. The commissioner shall make all decisions regarding acquisition activities. The determination of the acquisition method and all decisions involved in the acquisition process, unless otherwise provided for by law, shall be based on best value which includes an evaluation of price and may include other considerations including, but not limited to, environmental considerations, quality, and vendor performance. A best value determination must be based on the evaluation criteria detailed in the solicitation document. If criteria other than price are used, the solicitation document must state the relative importance of price and other factors. Unless it is determined by the commissioner that an alternative solicitation method provided by law should be used to determine best value, a request for bid must be used to solicit formal responses for all building and construction contracts. Any or all responses may be rejected. When using the request for bid process, the bid must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, taking into consideration conformity with the specifications, terms of delivery, the purpose for which the contract or purchase is intended, the status and capability of the vendor, and other considerations imposed in the request for bids. The commissioner may decide which is the lowest responsible bidder for all purchases and may use the principles of life-cycle costing, where appropriate, in determining the lowest overall bid. The duties set forth in this subdivision are subject to delegation pursuant to this section.
Subd. 4. Contracting authority. The commissioner shall conduct all contracting by, for, and between agencies and perform all contract management and review functions for contracts, except those functions specifically delegated to be performed by the contracting agency, the attorney general, or otherwise provided for by law.
Subd. 5. Amendments, cancellations, and appeals. The commissioner shall, in addition to the duties set forth in subdivisions 3 and 4, make all decisions regarding amendments, cancellations, and appeals of all agency acquisition activities unless the duties are delegated pursuant to this section.
Subd. 6. Lease and installment purchases. The commissioner is authorized to enter into lease purchases or installment purchases for periods not exceeding the anticipated useful life of the items acquired unless otherwise prohibited by law.
Subd. 7. Lease, rental, and installment agreements. The commissioner is authorized to enter into lease, lease purchase, rental, or installment agreements for the use or acquisition, whichever is applicable, of real or personal property.
Subd. 8. Policy and procedures. The commissioner is authorized to issue policies, procedures, and standards applicable to all acquisition activities by and for agencies.
Subd. 9. Employee purchasing. The commissioner is authorized to enter into contracts under which a vendor agrees to sell computer equipment and related products to state employees, for their own use related to work, at contract prices. Employees may make only one purchase under this subdivision. Under no circumstances shall the state be liable for purchases made under this subdivision. The provisions of section 43A.38, subdivisions 4 and 5, clause (a), do not apply to this subdivision.
Subd. 10. Cooperative purchasing. The commissioner is authorized to enter into a cooperative purchasing agreement for the provision of goods, services, and utilities with one or more other states or governmental units, as described in section 471.59, subdivision 1. The commissioner is authorized to enter into cooperative purchasing agreements for the purchase of goods, services, and utilities with health care facilities that are required to provide indigent care.
Subd. 11. Surplus property. The commissioner is authorized to purchase, accept, transfer, warehouse, sell, distribute, or dispose of surplus property in accordance with state and federal rules and regulations. The commissioner may charge a fee to cover any expenses incurred in connection with any of these acts.
Subd. 12. Central distribution center. The commissioner is authorized to provide and manage a central distribution center for federal and state surplus personal property, as defined in section 16C.23, and may provide and manage a warehouse facility.
Subd. 13. Central stores. The commissioner is authorized to provide agencies with supplies and equipment and operate all central stores and supply rooms serving more than one agency.
Subd. 14. Provision of goods, services, and utilities. The commissioner has the authority to provide goods, services, and utilities under this chapter to state legislative and judicial branch agencies, political subdivisions, the Minnesota state colleges and universities, the University of Minnesota, and federal government agencies.
Subd. 15. Reimbursement for goods, services, and utilities. The commissioner is authorized to charge a fee to cover costs and expenses associated with operating a revolving fund or an enterprise fund to acquire goods, services, and utilities. The fees are appropriated to the commissioner to administer and manage the programs and facilities covered under this section.
Subd. 16. Delegation of duties. The commissioner may delegate duties imposed by this chapter to the head of an agency and to any subordinate of the agency head. Delegated duties shall be exercised in the name of the commissioner and under the commissioner's direct supervision and control. A delegation of duties may include, but is not limited to, allowing individuals within agencies to acquire goods, services, and utilities within dollar limitations and for designated types of acquisitions. Delegation of contract management and review functions must be filed with the secretary of state and may not, except with respect to delegations within the department of administration, exceed two years in duration. The commissioner may withdraw any delegation at the commissioner's sole discretion.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 4
16C.04 Ethical practices and conflict of interest.
Subdivision 1. Duty. An employee of the executive branch involved directly or indirectly in the acquisition process, at any level, is subject to the code of ethics in section 43A.38.
Subd. 2. Conflict of interest policy development. (a) The commissioner must develop policies regarding code of ethics and conflict of interest designed to prevent conflicts of interest for employees involved in the acquisition of goods, services, and utilities. The policies must apply to employees who are directly or indirectly involved in the acquisition of goods, services, and utilities, developing requests for proposals, evaluating bids or proposals, awarding the contract, selecting the final vendor, drafting and entering into contracts, evaluating performance under these contracts, and authorizing payments under the contract.
(b) The policies must contain a process for making employees aware of policy and laws relating to conflict of interest, and for training employees on how to avoid and deal with potential conflicts.
(c) The policies must contain a process under which an employee who has a conflict of interest or a potential conflict of interest must disclose the matter, and a process under which work on the contract may be assigned to another employee if possible.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 5
16C.05 Contract management; validity and review.
Subdivision 1. Agency cooperation. Agencies shall fully cooperate with the commissioner in the management and review of state contracts.
Subd. 2. Creation and validity of contracts. (a) A contract is not valid and the state is not bound by it unless:
(1) it has first been executed by the head of the agency or a delegate who is a party to the contract;
(2) it has been approved by the commissioner;
(3) it has been approved by the attorney general or a delegate as to form and execution;
(4) the accounting system shows an obligation in an expense budget or encumbrance for the amount of the contract liability; and
(5) the combined contract and amendments shall not exceed five years, unless otherwise provided for by law. The term of the original contract must not exceed two years unless the commissioner determines that a longer duration is in the best interest of the state.
(b) Grants, interagency agreements, purchase orders, and annual plans need not, in the discretion of the commissioner and attorney general, require the signature of the commissioner and/or the attorney general.
(c) A fully executed copy of every contract must be kept on file at the contracting agency.
Subd. 3. Exception. The requirements of subdivision 2 do not apply to contracts of the department of economic security distributing state and federal funds for the purpose of subcontracting the provision of program services to eligible recipients. For these contracts, the commissioner of economic security is authorized to directly enter into agency contracts and encumber available funds. For contracts distributing state or federal funds pursuant to the federal Economic Dislocation and Worker Adjustment Assistance Act, United States Code, title 29, section 1651 et seq., or sections 268.9771, 268.978, 268.9781, and 268.9782, the commissioner of economic security is authorized to directly enter into agency contracts with approval of the workforce development council and encumber available funds to ensure a rapid response to the needs of dislocated workers. The commissioner of economic security shall adopt internal procedures to administer and monitor funds distributed under these contracts. This exception also applies to any contracts entered into by the commissioner of children, families, and learning that were previously entered into by the commissioner of economic security.
Subd. 4. Contract administration. A contracting agency shall diligently administer and monitor any contract it has entered into, pursuant to a delegation of duties from the commissioner. The commissioner may require an agency to report to the commissioner at any time on the status of any contracts to which the agency is a party.
Subd. 5. Subject to audit. A contract or any pass-through disbursement of public funds to a vendor of goods or services or a grantee made by or under the supervision of the commissioner or any county or unit of local government must include, expressed or implied, an audit clause that provides that the books, records, documents, and accounting procedures and practices of the vendor or other party, that are relevant to the contract or transaction, are subject to examination by the contracting agency and either the legislative auditor or the state auditor, as appropriate, for a minimum of six years. If the contracting agency is a local unit of government, and the governing body of the local unit of government requests that the state auditor examine the books, records, documents, and accounting procedures and practices of the vendor or other party pursuant to this subdivision, the contracting agency shall be liable for the cost of the examination. If the contracting agency is a local unit of government, and the grantee, vendor, or other party requests that the state auditor examine all books, records, documents, and accounting procedures and practices related to the contract, the grantee, vendor, or other party that requested the examination shall be liable for the cost of the examination. An agency contract made for purchase, lease, or license of software and data from the state is not required to contain this audit clause.
Subd. 6. Authority of attorney general. The attorney general may pursue remedies available by law to avoid the obligation of an agency to pay under a contract or to recover payments made if services performed or goods received under the contract are so unsatisfactory, incomplete, or inconsistent that payment would involve unjust enrichment. The contrary opinion of the contracting agency does not affect the power of the attorney general under this subdivision.
Subd. 7. Contracts with Indian tribes and bands. Notwithstanding any other law, an agency may not require an Indian tribe or band to deny its sovereignty as a requirement or condition of a contract with an agency.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 6
16C.06 Acquisitions.
Subdivision 1. Publication requirements. Notices of solicitations for acquisitions estimated to be more than $25,000 must be publicized in a manner designated by the commissioner.
Subd. 2. Solicitation process. (a) A formal solicitation must be used to acquire all goods, service contracts, and utilities estimated at or more than $25,000 unless otherwise provided for. All formal responses must be sealed when they are received and must be opened in public at the hour stated in the solicitation. Formal responses must be authenticated by the responder in a manner specified by the commissioner.
(b) An informal solicitation may be used to acquire all goods, service contracts, and utilities that are estimated at less than $25,000. The number of vendors required to receive solicitations may be determined by the commissioner. Informal responses must be authenticated by the responder in a manner specified by the commissioner.
Subd. 3. Information in bids and proposals. (a) Only the name of the vendor and dollar amounts specified in a response to a request for bids shall be read at the time of opening. Only the name of the responding vendors to all requests for proposals shall be read at the time of opening. All other information contained in a vendor's response to a bid is classified as nonpublic data, as defined in section 13.02, and remains nonpublic data until completion of the selection process. All other information contained in a vendor's response to a request for proposal, other than the name of the vendor, is classified as nonpublic data, as defined in section 13.02, and remains nonpublic data until the completion of the evaluation process.
(b) All responses are public information at the time of the award unless otherwise provided for. All responses and documents pertaining to the final award of an acquisition must be retained and made a part of a permanent file or record and remain open to public inspection, after award, unless otherwise provided for by law.
Subd. 4. Multiple awards. The commissioner may award a contract to more than one vendor if, in the opinion of the commissioner, it is in the best interest of the state.
Subd. 5. State as responder. The head of an agency, in consultation with the requesting agency and the commissioner, may respond to a solicitation or request if the goods and services meet the needs of the requesting agency and provide the state with the best value. When an agency responds to a solicitation, all work product relating to the response is nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02, and shall become public information in accordance with subdivision 3.
Subd. 6. Awards. Awards must be based on best value, which includes an evaluation of price, and may include other considerations including, but not limited to, environmental considerations, quality, and vendor performance. If criteria other than price are used, the solicitation document must state the relative importance of price and other factors.
Subd. 7. Other states with resident preference. Acquisition of goods and services must be awarded according to the provisions of this chapter except that a resident vendor shall be allowed a preference over a nonresident vendor from a state that gives or requires a preference to vendors from that state. The preference shall be equal to the preference given or required by the state of the nonresident vendor.
Subd. 8. Federally funded projects exempt. Subdivision 7 does not apply to a contract for any project in which federal funds are expended.
Subd. 9. Rejection. At the discretion of the commissioner, any or all responses may be rejected if it is determined to be in the best interest of the state.
Subd. 10. Preferences not cumulative. The preferences provided for under subdivision 7 and sections 16B.121 and 16C.16 are not cumulative. The total percentage of preference granted on a contract may not exceed the highest percentage of preference allowed for that contract under any one of these statutory sections.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 7
16C.07 Employee skills inventory.
The commissioner of employee relations shall develop a directory of services that state agencies commonly provide that are professional or technical in nature.
Before an agency may seek approval of a professional or technical services contract valued at a total cost in excess of $25,000, it must certify to the commissioner that it has publicized the contract by posting notice at appropriate worksites within agencies and has made reasonable efforts to determine that no state employee or agency, including an employee or agency outside the contracting agency, is able and available to perform the required services. When possible, this posting should be done electronically.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 8
16C.08 Professional or technical services.
Subdivision 1. Definition. For the purposes of this section, "professional or technical services" means services that are intellectual in character, including consultation, analysis, evaluation, prediction, planning, programming, or recommendation, and result in the production of a report or the completion of a task. Professional or technical contracts do not include the provision of supplies or materials except by the approval of the commissioner or except as incidental to the provision of professional or technical services.
Subd. 2. Duties of contracting agency. Before an agency may seek approval of a professional or technical services contract valued in excess of $5,000, it must certify to the commissioner that:
(1) no current state employee is able and available to perform the services called for by the contract;
(2) the normal competitive bidding mechanisms will not provide for adequate performance of the services;
(3) the contractor has certified that the product of the services will be original in character;
(4) reasonable efforts were made to publicize the availability of the contract to the public;
(5) the agency has received, reviewed, and accepted a detailed work plan from the contractor for performance under the contract, if applicable;
(6) the agency has developed, and fully intends to implement, a written plan providing for the assignment of specific agency personnel to a monitoring and liaison function, the periodic review of interim reports or other indications of past performance, and the ultimate utilization of the final product of the services; and
(7) the agency will not allow the contractor to begin work before funds are fully encumbered.
Subd. 3. Procedure for professional or technical services contracts. Before approving a proposed contract for professional or technical services, the commissioner must determine, at least, that:
(1) all provisions of subdivision 2 and section 16C.16 have been verified or complied with;
(2) the work to be performed under the contract is necessary to the agency's achievement of its statutory responsibilities and there is statutory authority to enter into the contract;
(3) the contract will not establish an employment relationship between the state or the agency and any persons performing under the contract;
(4) the contractor and agents are not employees of the state;
(5) no agency has previously performed or contracted for the performance of tasks which would be substantially duplicated under the proposed contract;
(6) the contracting agency has specified a satisfactory method of evaluating and using the results of the work to be performed; and
(7) the combined contract and amendments will not exceed five years, unless otherwise provided for by law. The term of the original contract must not exceed two years unless the commissioner determines that a longer duration is in the best interest of the state.
Subd. 4. Reports. (a) The commissioner shall submit to the governor, the chairs of the house ways and means and senate finance committees, and the legislative reference library a yearly listing of all contracts for professional or technical services executed. The report must identify the contractor, contract amount, duration, and services to be provided. The commissioner shall also issue yearly reports summarizing the contract review activities of the department by fiscal year.
(b) The fiscal year report must be submitted by September 1 of each year and must:
(1) be sorted by agency and by contractor;
(2) show the aggregate value of contracts issued by each agency and issued to each contractor;
(3) distinguish between contracts that are being issued for the first time and contracts that are being extended;
(4) state the termination date of each contract; and
(5) identify services by commodity code, including topics such as contracts for training, contracts for research and opinions, and contracts for computer systems.
(c) Within 30 days of final completion of a contract over $40,000 covered by this subdivision, the head of the agency entering into the contract must submit a one-page report to the commissioner who must submit a copy to the legislative reference library. The report must:
(1) summarize the purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary to enter into a contract;
(2) state the amount spent on the contract; and
(3) explain why this amount was a cost-effective way to enable the agency to provide its services or products better or more efficiently.
Subd. 5. Contract terms. (a) A professional or technical services contract must by its terms permit the commissioner to unilaterally terminate the contract prior to completion, upon payment of just compensation, if the commissioner determines that further performance under the contract would not serve agency purposes.
(b) The terms of a contract must provide that no more than 90 percent of the amount due under the contract may be paid until the final product has been reviewed by the head of the agency entering into the contract and the head of the agency has certified that the contractor has satisfactorily fulfilled the terms of the contract, unless specifically excluded in writing by the commissioner.
Subd. 6. Filing copy. If the final product of the contract is a written report, a copy must be filed with the legislative reference library.
Subd. 7. Exclusions. This section does not apply to contracts with individuals or organizations for administration of employee pension plans authorized under chapter 354B or 354C.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 9
16C.09 Procedure for service contracts.
Before entering into or approving a service contract, the commissioner must determine, at least, that:
(1) no current state employee is able and available to perform the services called for by the contract;
(2) the work to be performed under the contract is necessary to the agency's achievement of its statutory responsibilities and there is statutory authority to enter into the contract;
(3) the contract will not establish an employment relationship between the state or the agency and any persons performing under the contract;
(4) the contractor and agents are not employees of the state;
(5) the contracting agency has specified a satisfactory method of evaluating and using the results of the work to be performed; and
(6) the combined contract and amendments will not exceed five years, unless otherwise provided for by law. The term of the original contract must not exceed two years, unless the commissioner determines that a longer duration is in the best interest of the state.
For purposes of clause (1), employees are available if qualified and:
(i) are already doing the work in question; or
(ii) are on layoff status in classes that can do the work in question.
An employee is not available if the employee is doing other work, is retired, or has decided not to do the work in question.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 10
16C.10 Exceptions to the solicitation process.
Subdivision 1. Single source. The solicitation process described in this chapter is not required when there is clearly and legitimately only a single source for the goods and services and the commissioner determines that the price has been fairly and reasonably established.
Subd. 2. Emergency acquisition. (a) For the purpose of this subdivision, "emergency" means a threat to public health, welfare, or safety that threatens the functioning of government, the protection of property, or the health or safety of people.
(b) The solicitation process described in this chapter is not required in emergencies. In emergencies, the commissioner may make any purchases necessary for the repair, rehabilitation, and improvement of a state-owned structure or may authorize an agency to do so and may purchase, or may authorize an agency to purchase, goods, services, or utility services directly for immediate use.
Subd. 3. Federal agency price schedules. Notwithstanding anything in this chapter to the contrary, the commissioner may, instead of soliciting bids, contract for purchases with suppliers who have published schedules of prices effective for sales to any federal agency of the United States. These contracts may be entered into, regardless of the amount of the purchase price, if the commissioner considers them advantageous and if the purchase price of all the commodities purchased under the contract do not exceed the price specified by the schedule.
Subd. 4. Cooperative agreements. The solicitation process described in this chapter is not required for cooperative agreements. The commissioner may enter into contracts or accept prices effective for sales to any governmental unit as defined in section 471.59, through a cooperative agreement as defined in section 471.59.
Subd. 5. Specific purchases. The solicitation process described in this chapter is not required for acquisition of the following:
(1) merchandise for resale purchased under policies determined by the commissioner;
(2) farm and garden products which, as determined by the commissioner, may be purchased at the prevailing market price on the date of sale;
(3) goods and services from the Minnesota correctional facilities;
(4) goods and services from rehabilitation facilities and sheltered workshops that are certified by the commissioner of economic security;
(5) goods and services for use by a community-based residential facility operated by the commissioner of human services;
(6) goods purchased at auction or when submitting a sealed bid at auction provided that before authorizing such an action, the commissioner consult with the requesting agency to determine a fair and reasonable value for the goods considering factors including, but not limited to, costs associated with submitting a bid, travel, transportation, and storage. This fair and reasonable value must represent the limit of the state's bid; and
(7) utility services where no competition exists or where rates are fixed by law or ordinance.
Subd. 6. Expenditures under specified amounts. The solicitation process described in this chapter is not required for:
(1) acquisition of goods or services, other than professional or technical services, in an amount of $2,500 or less; or
(2) acquisition of professional or technical services in an amount of $5,000 or less, provided the requirements of section 16C.08, subdivisions 3 to 6, are met.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 11
16C.11 Cooperative purchasing venture; purchasing revolving fund.
The commissioner may enter into joint or cooperative purchasing agreements with any entity that is authorized under section 471.59 to do so. The cooperative purchasing venture revolving fund is a separate account in the state treasury. The commissioner may charge a fee to cover the commissioner's administrative expenses to governmental units that have joint or cooperative purchasing agreements with the state under section 471.59. The fees collected must be deposited in the revolving fund established by this section. Money in the fund is appropriated to the commissioner to administer the programs and services covered by this chapter.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 12
16C.12 Agricultural food products grown in state.
The commissioner shall encourage and make a reasonable attempt to identify and purchase food products that are grown in the state.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 13
16C.13 Certain vehicles.
Upon the written request of the commissioner of public safety, motor vehicles for use by investigative and undercover agents of the department of public safety must be purchased by the brand, make, and model specified by the agency.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 14
16C.14 Energy efficiency installment purchases.
Subdivision 1. Contract conditions. The commissioner may contract to purchase by installment payments capital or other equipment or services intended to improve the energy efficiency of a state building or facility if:
(1) the term of the contract does not exceed ten years, with not more than a ten-year payback;
(2) the entire cost of the contract is a percentage of the resultant savings in energy costs only. "Savings in energy cost" means a comparison of energy cost and energy usage under the precontract conditions, including reasonable projections of energy cost and usage if no change is made to the precontract conditions, against energy cost and usage with the changes made under the contract. If it is impractical to directly measure energy cost and/or energy usage, reasonable engineering estimates may be substituted for measured results;
(3) the contract for purchase must be completed using a solicitation;
(4) the commissioner has determined that the contract vendor is a responsible vendor;
(5) the contract vendor can finance or obtain financing for the performance of the contract without state assistance or guarantee; and
(6) the state may unilaterally cancel the agreement if the legislature fails to appropriate funds to continue the contract or if the contractor at any time during the term of the contract fails to perform its contractual obligations, including failure to deliver or install equipment or materials, failure to replace faulty equipment or materials in a timely fashion, and failure to maintain the equipment as agreed in the contract.
Subd. 2. Energy appropriation. The commissioner may spend money appropriated for energy costs in payment of a contract under this section.
Subd. 3. Energy conservation incentives. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, fuel cost savings resulting from energy conservation actions shall be available at the managerial level at which the actions took place for expenditure for other purposes within the biennium in which the actions occur or in the case of a shared savings agreement for the contract period of the shared savings agreement. For purposes of this subdivision "shared savings agreement" means a contract meeting the terms and conditions of subdivision 1.
Subd. 4. Energy costs. The entire cost of an energy efficiency installment purchase contract must be a percentage of the resultant savings in energy costs. Neither the state nor any agency is liable to make payments on the contract except to the extent that there are savings in energy costs that must be shared with other parties to the contract.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 15
16C.15 Sheltered workshops and services work activity programs.
The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of economic security, shall prepare a list containing products and services of state-certified rehabilitation facilities, sheltered workshops, and work activity programs for acquisition by state agencies and institutions.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 16
16C.16 Designation of procurements from small businesses.
Subdivision 1. Small business procurements. The commissioner shall for each fiscal year ensure that small businesses receive at least 25 percent of the value of anticipated total state procurement of goods and services, including printing and construction. The commissioner shall divide the procurements so designated into contract award units of economically feasible production runs in order to facilitate offers or bids from small businesses. In making the annual designation of such procurements the commissioner shall attempt (1) to vary the included procurements so that a variety of goods and services produced by different small businesses are obtained each year, and (2) to designate small business procurements in a manner that will encourage proportional distribution of such awards among the geographical regions of the state. To promote the geographical distribution of awards, the commissioner may designate a portion of the small business procurement for award to bidders from a specified congressional district or other geographical region specified by the commissioner. The failure of the commissioner to designate particular procurements shall not be deemed to prohibit or discourage small businesses from seeking the procurement award through the normal process.
Subd. 2. Small business. The commissioner shall adopt rules defining "small business" for purposes of sections 16C.16 to 16C.21, 137.31, 137.35, 161.321, and 473.142. The definition must include only businesses with their principal place of business in Minnesota. The definition must establish different size standards for various types of businesses. In establishing these standards, the commissioner must consider the differences among industries caused by the size of the market for goods or services and the relative size and market share of the competitors operating in those markets.
Subd. 3. Professional or technical procurements. Every state agency must for each fiscal year designate for awarding to small businesses at least 25 percent of the value of anticipated procurements of that agency for professional or technical services. The set-aside under this subdivision is in addition to that provided by subdivision 1, but must otherwise comply with section 16C.08.
Subd. 4. Targeted group purchasing. The commissioner shall establish a program for purchasing goods and services from targeted group businesses, as designated in subdivision 5. The purpose of the program is to remedy the effects of past discrimination against members of targeted groups. In furtherance of this purpose, the commissioner shall attempt to ensure that purchases from targeted group businesses reflect a fair and equitable representation of all the state's purchasing.
Subd. 5. Designation of targeted groups. (a) The commissioner of administration shall periodically designate businesses that are majority owned and operated by women, persons with a substantial physical disability, or specific minorities as targeted group businesses within purchasing categories as determined by the commissioner. A group may be targeted within a purchasing category if the commissioner determines there is a statistical disparity between the percentage of purchasing from businesses owned by group members and the representation of businesses owned by group members among all businesses in the state in the purchasing category.
(b) In addition to designations under paragraph (a), an individual business may be included as a targeted group business if the commissioner determines that inclusion is necessary to remedy discrimination against the owner based on race, gender, or disability in attempting to operate a business that would provide goods or services to public agencies.
(c) The designations of purchasing categories and businesses under paragraphs (a) and (b) are not rules for purposes of chapter 14, and are not subject to rulemaking procedures of that chapter.
Subd. 6. Purchasing methods. (a) The commissioner may award up to a six percent preference in the amount bid for specified goods or services to small targeted group businesses.
(b) The commissioner may designate a purchase of goods or services for award only to small businesses or small targeted group businesses if the commissioner determines that at least three small businesses or small targeted group businesses are likely to bid.
(c) The commissioner, as a condition of awarding a construction contract or approving a contract for professional or technical services, may set goals that require the prime contractor to subcontract a portion of the contract to small businesses or small targeted group businesses. The commissioner must establish a procedure for granting waivers from the subcontracting requirement when qualified small businesses or small targeted group businesses are not reasonably available. The commissioner may establish financial incentives for prime contractors who exceed the goals for use of small business or small targeted group business subcontractors and financial penalties for prime contractors who fail to meet goals under this paragraph. The subcontracting requirements of this paragraph do not apply to prime contractors who are small businesses or small targeted group businesses.
Subd. 7. Economically disadvantaged areas. The commissioner may award up to a four percent preference in the amount bid on state procurement to small businesses located in an economically disadvantaged area. A business is located in an economically disadvantaged area if:
(1) the owner resides in or the business is located in a county in which the median income for married couples is less than 70 percent of the state median income for married couples;
(2) the owner resides in or the business is located in an area designated a labor surplus area by the United States Department of Labor; or
(3) the business is a rehabilitation facility or work activity program.
The commissioner may designate one or more areas designated as targeted neighborhoods under section 469.202 or as enterprise zones under section 469.167 as economically disadvantaged areas for purposes of this subdivision if the commissioner determines that this designation would further the purposes of this section. If the owner of a small business resides or is employed in a designated area, the small business is eligible for any preference provided under this subdivision.
The department of revenue shall gather data necessary to make the determinations required by clause (1), and shall annually certify counties that qualify under clause (1). An area designated a labor surplus area retains that status for 120 days after certified small businesses in the area are notified of the termination of the designation by the United States Department of Labor.
Subd. 8. Surety bonds. Surety bonds guaranteed by the federal Small Business Administration and second party bonds are acceptable security for a construction award under this section. "Second party bond" means a bond that designates as principal, guarantor, or both, a person or persons in addition to the person to whom the contract is proposed for award.
Subd. 9. Determination of ability to perform. Before making an award under the preference programs established in subdivisions 4 to 7, the commissioner shall evaluate whether the small business or small targeted group business scheduled to receive the award is able to perform the contract. This determination shall include consideration of production and financial capacity and technical competence.
Subd. 10. Limits. At least 75 percent of the value of the subcontracts awarded to small businesses or small targeted group businesses under subdivision 6, paragraph (c), must be performed by the business to which the subcontract is awarded or by another small business or small targeted group business.
Subd. 11. Procurement procedures. All laws and rules pertaining to solicitations, bid evaluations, contract awards, and other procurement matters apply equally to procurements designated for small businesses or small targeted group businesses. In the event of conflict with other rules, section 16C.15 and rules adopted under it govern, if section 16C.15 applies. If it does not apply, sections 16C.16 to 16C.21 and rules adopted under those sections govern.
Subd. 12. Applicability. This section does not apply to construction contracts or contracts for professional or technical services under section 16C.08 that are financed in whole or in part with federal funds and that are subject to federal disadvantaged business enterprise regulations.
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16C.17 Encouragement of participation; advisory council.
Subdivision 1. Commissioner of administration. The commissioners of administration and trade and economic development shall publicize the provisions of the purchasing programs in sections 16C.16 to 16C.21, attempt to locate small businesses or small targeted group businesses able to perform under the programs, and encourage participation through education, technical assistance, mentoring, and other means. When the commissioner of administration determines that a small business or small targeted group business is unable to perform under a program established in sections 16C.16 to 16C.21, the commissioner shall inform the commissioner of trade and economic development who shall assist the small business or small targeted group business in attempting to remedy the causes of the inability to perform the award. In assisting the small business or small targeted group business, the commissioner of trade and economic development in cooperation with the commissioner of administration shall use management or financial assistance programs made available by or through the department of trade and economic development, other state or governmental agencies, or private sources.
Subd. 2. Advisory council. The small business procurement advisory council consists of 13 members appointed by the commissioner of administration. A chair of the advisory council shall be elected from among the members. The appointments are subject to the appointments program provided by section 15.0597. The terms, compensation, and removal of members are as provided in section 15.059.
Subd. 3. Duties. The small business procurement advisory council shall:
(1) advise the commissioner of administration on matters relating to the small business and small targeted group business procurement program;
(2) review complaints or grievances from small businesses and small targeted group businesses who are doing or attempting to do business under the program; and
(3) review the reports of the commissioners of administration and trade and economic development provided by section 16C.18 to ensure compliance with the goals of the program.
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16C.18 Reports.
Subdivision 1. Commissioner of administration. The commissioner shall submit an annual report pursuant to section 3.195 to the governor and the legislature with a copy to the commissioner of trade and economic development indicating the progress being made toward the objectives and goals of sections 16C.16 to 16C.21, 161.321, and 473.142 during the preceding fiscal year.
Subd. 2. Commissioner of trade and economic development. The commissioner of trade and economic development shall submit an annual report to the governor and the legislature pursuant to section 3.195 with a copy to the commissioner of administration. This report shall include the following information:
(1) the efforts undertaken to publicize the provisions of the small business and small targeted group business procurement program during the preceding fiscal year;
(2) the efforts undertaken to identify small businesses and small targeted group businesses and the efforts undertaken to encourage participation in the targeted group purchasing program;
(3) the efforts undertaken by the commissioner to remedy the inability of small businesses and small targeted group businesses to perform on potential awards; and
(4) the commissioner's recommendations for strengthening the small business and small targeted group business procurement program and delivery of services to small businesses.
Subd. 3. Reports from other agencies. The commissioner of transportation, and each metropolitan agency listed in section 473.143, subdivision 1, shall report to the commissioner of administration all information that the commissioner requests to make reports required under this section. The information must be reported at the time and in the manner requested by the commissioner of administration.
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16C.19 Eligibility; rules.
(a) A small business wishing to participate in the programs under section 16C.16, subdivisions 4 to 7, must be certified by the commissioner. The commissioner shall adopt by rule standards and procedures for certifying that small businesses, small targeted group businesses, and small businesses located in economically disadvantaged areas are eligible to participate under the requirements of sections 16C.16 to 16C.21. The commissioner shall adopt by rule standards and procedures for hearing appeals and grievances and other rules necessary to carry out the duties set forth in sections 16C.16 to 16C.21.
(b) The commissioner may make rules which exclude or limit the participation of nonmanufacturing business, including third-party lessors, brokers, franchises, jobbers, manufacturers' representatives, and others from eligibility under sections 16C.16 to 16C.21.
(c) The commissioner may make rules that set time limits and other eligibility limits on business participation in programs under sections 16C.16 to 16C.21.
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16C.20 Certification.
A business that is certified by the commissioner of administration as a small business, small targeted group business or a small business located in an economically disadvantaged area is eligible to participate under the requirements of sections 137.31 and 161.321 and, if certified as a small business or small targeted group business, under section 473.142 without further certification by the contracting agency.
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16C.21 Criminal penalty.
A person who knowingly provides false information to a public official or employee for the purpose of obtaining or retaining certification as a small targeted group business or a small business located in an economically disadvantaged area under sections 16C.16 to 16C.20, 137.31, 137.35, 161.321, or 473.142 is guilty of a misdemeanor.
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16C.22 District heating.
Notwithstanding any other law, general or special, the commissioner is authorized to enter into or approve a written agreement not to exceed 31 years with a district heating utility that will specify, but not be limited to, the appropriate terms and conditions for the interchange of district heating services.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 23
16C.23 Surplus property acquisition, distribution, and disposal.
Subdivision 1. Definitions. "Governmental unit or nonprofit organization" means a governmental unit as defined in section 471.59, subdivision 1, an Indian tribal government, and any nonprofit and tax-exempt medical institution, hospital, clinic, health center, school, school system, college, university, or other institution organized and existing for any purpose authorized by federal law to accept surplus federal property.
Subd. 2. Surplus property. "Surplus property" means state or federal commodities, equipment, materials, supplies, books, printed matter, buildings, and other personal or real property that is obsolete, unused, not needed for a public purpose, or ineffective for current use.
Subd. 3. Authorization. (a) The commissioner is the state agency designated to transfer, purchase, accept, sell, or dispose of surplus property for the state and for the benefit of any other governmental unit or nonprofit organization for any purpose authorized by state and federal law and in accordance with state and federal rules and regulations. Any governmental unit or nonprofit organization may designate the commissioner to purchase or accept surplus property for it upon mutually agreeable terms and conditions. The commissioner may acquire, accept, warehouse, and distribute surplus property and charge a fee to cover any expenses incurred in connection with any of these acts.
(b) Federal surplus property that has been transferred to the state for donation to public agencies and nonprofit organizations must be transferred or sold in accordance with the plan developed under paragraph (c). Expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition, warehousing, distribution, and disposal of federal surplus property must be paid from the surplus services revolving fund. Proceeds of sales, minus any expenses, must be deposited in the surplus services revolving fund.
(c) The commissioner shall develop a detailed plan for disposal of donated federal property in conformance with state law and federal regulations. The plan must be submitted to the governor for certification and submission to the federal administrator of general services.
(d) The commissioner, after consultation with one or more nonprofit organizations with an interest in providing housing for homeless veterans and their families, may acquire property from the United States government that is designated by the General Services Administration as surplus property. The commissioner may lease the property to a qualified nonprofit organization that agrees to develop or rehabilitate the property for the purpose of providing suitable housing for veterans and their families. The lease agreement with the nonprofit organization may require that the property be developed for use as housing for homeless and displaced veterans and their families and for veterans and their families who lose their housing.
Subd. 4. Deposit of receipts. The surplus services revolving fund is a separate fund in the state treasury. All money resulting from the acquisition, acceptance, warehousing, distribution, and public sale of surplus property, must be deposited in the fund. Money paid into the surplus services revolving fund is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of the programs and services referred to in this section.
Subd. 5. Transfer or sale. (a) When the state or an agency operating under a legislative appropriation obtains surplus property from the commissioner, the commissioner of finance must, at the commissioner's request, transfer the cost of the surplus property, including any expenses of acquiring, accepting, warehousing, and distributing the surplus property, from the appropriation of the agency receiving the surplus property to the surplus services revolving fund. The determination of the commissioner is final as to the cost of the surplus property to the agency receiving the property.
(b) When any governmental unit or nonprofit organization other than an agency receives surplus property from the commissioner, the governmental unit or nonprofit organization must reimburse the surplus services revolving fund for the cost of the property, including the expenses of acquiring, accepting, warehousing, and distributing it, in an amount the commissioner sets. The commissioner may, however, require the governmental unit or nonprofit organization to deposit in advance in the surplus services revolving fund the cost of the surplus property upon mutually agreeable terms and conditions.
(c) The commissioner may transfer or sell state surplus property to any person at public auction, at prepriced sale, or by sealed bid process in accordance with applicable state laws.
Subd. 6. State surplus property. The commissioner may do any of the following to dispose of state surplus property:
(1) transfer it to or between state agencies;
(2) transfer it to a governmental unit or nonprofit organization in Minnesota; or
(3) sell it and charge a fee to cover expenses incurred by the commissioner in the disposal of the surplus property.
The proceeds of the sale less the fee are appropriated to the agency for whose account the sale was made, to be used and expended by that agency to purchase similar state property.
Subd. 7. Gifts. The commissioner is authorized to solicit and accept donated money and fixed and consumable property for the benefit of the state and any other governmental unit or nonprofit organization for any purpose authorized by state and federal law and in accordance with federal regulations and rules. The gift acceptance procedures of sections 7.09 to 7.12 do not apply to this subdivision.
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16C.24 Rules.
Minnesota Rules, parts 1230.0100 to 1230.4300, adopted under chapter 16B, govern under this chapter until amended, repealed, or superseded by rules adopted under chapter 16B or this chapter. In the event rules adopted under chapter 16B conflict with provisions of this chapter, this chapter governs.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 25
16C.25 Building and construction contracts.
Notwithstanding any contrary law, the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16B.07, 16B.08, 16B.09, and all other laws applicable to competitive bidding for building and construction contracts on June 30, 1998, apply to building and construction contracts entered into on or after July 1, 1998.
HIST: 1998 c 386 art 1 s 26
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes