Adopted by House 3-7-2014

SB356 HFAT Manchin 3-6

    Chairman Manchin moves to amend the title of the bill to read as follows: 

    S.B. 356 – “A BILL to amend and reenact §5A-1-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §5A-1-10; to amend and reenact §5A-3-1, §5A-3-3, §5A-3-4, §5A-3-5, §5A-3-11, §5A-3-17, §5A-3-28, §5A-3-30 and §5A-3-31 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto three new sections, designated §5A-3-10d, §5A-3-10e and §5A-3-60; and to amend and reenact §12-3-10d of said code, all relating generally to purchasing; revising definitions; eliminating definitions; defining terms; requiring state spending units purchase commodities and services on a competitive basis where possible; authorizing the Secretary of the Department of Administration to issue a notice to cease and desist when purchases are not made on a competitive basis; clarifying the purposes and policies of the Purchasing Division; clarifying the applicability of the article; clarifying that procurements must include adequate specifications and descriptions; clarifying the powers and duties of the Director of Purchasing; authorizing the Director of Purchasing to issue a notice to cease and desist when purchases are not made on a competitive basis; ensuring the purchasing requirements apply to services and commodities; authorizing reverse auctions for purchasing commodities; permitting third-party vendors to administer reverse auctions; affording the Director of the Purchasing Division rule-making authority to implement reverse auctions; authorizing master contracts and the direct order process for the direct procurement of certain commodities; defining additional terms; requiring approval of the Director of the Purchasing Division for master contracts; setting forth direct order requirements and procedures; authorizing direct order of commodities in certain amounts; permitting direct order of certain commodities in excess of statutory amount with the written approval of the Director of Purchasing; affording the Director of the Purchasing Division rule-making authority to establish procedures regarding master contracts, preapproval, the direct ordering process and related matters; clarifying circumstances in which grants are exempt from competitive bidding requirements; imposing personal liability upon spending officers and other responsible individuals who have knowingly and willfully violated competitive bidding requirements; creating felony offense for acting alone to undermine competition; requiring certain executive department officials to attend annual training on purchasing procedures; adjusting the percentage rebate moneys transferred to the Purchasing Improvement Fund; adjusting the percentage of rebate moneys transferred to the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority; transferring ten percent of rebate moneys to the State Park Operating Fund; and making technical corrections.”