Jan. 26, 2022
HARRISBURG – To continue to propel good government practices and fiscal responsibility forward, the House State Government Committee today approved a series of bipartisan bills to improve the state bidding process, Chairman Seth Grove (R-York) said.
“Unfortunately, we have seen too often the high-cost taxpayers endure due to the outdated contract bidding process used by state agencies,” Grove said. “These bills will update and reform the procurement process, so it is fairer and gives state officials a more accurate look of the actual cost of projects and the track records of businesses bidding on contracts.”
Grove noted the Mount Rose Avenue interchange project in York County as a prime example for the need to reform the procurement process. The project, which was to be completed in 2018, was awarded to the lowest bidder but is $5 million over budget and still not finished.
To ensure contracts are awarded to the most viable contractor, not just the lowest responsible bidder, House Bill 2269 would require state officials to also consider a prospective contractor’s documented prior performance in other state as part of the bidding process.
The committee also approved the following bills:
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House Bill 709 would require applicants for state contracts to submit a disclosure statement listing all campaign contributions made by the applicant or intermediary to any elected official, candidate for state or local office, or political committee.
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House Bill 1925 would authorize state procurement officials to consider a prospective contractor’s documented performance in other states or with other public entities prior to awarding, renewing or extending a Pennsylvania contract to that bidder.
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House Bill 2159 would ensure the emergency procurement process is only used in exigent circumstances.
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Senate Bill 1019 would require a permanently regulatory suspension report to review regulations that were temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether they should be permanently suspended.
All the bills now go to the full House for consideration.
Representative Seth Grove
196th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
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