DAR File No. 39327

Administrative Services, Purchasing and General Services

Rule R33-4

General Procurement Provisions, Prequalifications, Specifications, and Small Purchases

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 39327
Filed: 04/30/2015 04:24:43 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The purpose of this amendment is to add additional sections to the rule that clarify procedures and address the use of electronic, telephone, or written quotes.

Summary of the rule or change:

The changes: add procedures when two bids quotes, or statement of qualifications cannot be obtained, as well as the addition of the use of electronic, telephone, or written quotes.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 63G-6a-402
• Section 63G-6a-403
• Section 63G-6a-404
• Section 63G-6a-405
• Section 63G-6a-406
• Section 63G-6a-407
• Section 63G-6a-408

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

No anticipated costs or savings are expected. This change simply adds additional sections that clarify procedures and address the use of electronic, telephone, or written quotes.

local governments:

No anticipated costs or savings are expected. This change simply adds additional sections that clarify procedures and address the use of electronic, telephone, or written quotes.

small businesses:

No anticipated costs or savings are expected. This change simply adds additional sections that clarify procedures and address the use of electronic, telephone, or written quotes.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

No anticipated costs or savings are expected. This change simply adds additional sections that clarify procedures and address the use of electronic, telephone, or written quotes.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There will be no compliance cost because this amendment simply adds additional sections that clarify procedures and address the use of electronic, telephone, or written quotes.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

There are no anticipated affects that the rule will have on businesses. The amendment simply adds additional sections that clarify procedures and address the use of electronic, telephone, or written quotes.

Kimberly K. Hood, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Administrative Services
Purchasing and General Services
Room 3150 STATE OFFICE BLDG
450 N STATE ST
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84114-1201

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Alan Bachman at the above address, by phone at 801-538-3105, by FAX at 801-538-3313, or by Internet E-mail at [email protected]
• Paul Mash at the above address, by phone at 801-538-3138, by FAX at 801-538-3882, or by Internet E-mail at [email protected]
• Nicole Alder at the above address, by phone at 801-538-3240, by FAX at , or by Internet E-mail at [email protected]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

06/15/2015

This rule may become effective on:

06/22/2015

Authorized by:

Kimberly Hood, Executive Director

R33. Administrative Services, Purchasing and General Services.

R33-4. General Procurement Provisions, Prequalifications, Specifications, and Small Purchases.

R33-4-101. Prequalification of Potential Vendors.

General procurement provisions, including prequalification of potential vendors, approved vendor lists, and small purchases shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements set forth in Sections 63G-6a-402 through 408. All definitions in the Utah Procurement Code shall apply to this Rule unless otherwise specified in this Rule. This administrative rule provides additional requirements and procedures and must be used in conjunction with the Procurement Code.

 

R33-4-102. Thresholds for Approved Vendor Lists.

(1) Public entities may establish approved vendor lists in accordance with the requirements of Sections 63G-6a-403 and 63G-6a-404.

(a) Contracts or purchases from an approved vendor list may not exceed the following thresholds:

(i) Construction Projects: $2,500,000 per contract, for direct construction costs, including design and allowable furniture or equipment costs, awarded using an invitation for bids or a request for proposals;

(ii) Professional and General Services, including architectural and engineering services: $100,000; and

(iii) Information Technology: $500,000

(b) Thresholds for other approved vendor lists may be established by the Chief Procurement Officer, or as applicable, [or]the head of a procurement unit with independent procurement authority.

 

R33-4-103. Specifications.

(1) Public entities shall include in solicitation documents specifications for the procurement item(s).

(2) Specifications shall be drafted with the objective of clearly describing the procurement unit's requirements and encouraging competition.

(a) Specifications shall emphasize the functional or performance criteria necessary to meet the needs of the procurement unit.

(3) Persons with a conflict of interest, or who anticipate responding to the proposal for which the specifications are written, may not participate in writing specifications. Procurement units may retain the services of a person to assist in writing specifications, scopes of work, requirements, qualifications, or other components of a solicitation. However the person assisting in writing specifications shall not, at any time during the procurement process, be employed in any capacity by, nor have an ownership interest in, an individual, public or private corporation, governmental entity, partnership, or unincorporated association bidding on or submitting a proposal in response to the solicitation.

(a) Rule R33-4-104(3) does not apply to the following:

(i) a design build construction project; and

(ii) other procurements determined in writing by the chief procurement officer, or as applicable, [or ]the head of a procurement unit with independent procurement authority.

(b) Violations of this Rule R33-4-104(3) may result in:

(i) the bidder or offeror being declared ineligible for award of the contract;

(ii) the solicitation being canceled;

(iii) termination of an awarded contract; or

(iv) any other action determined to be appropriate by the chief procurement officer, or as applicable, [or]the head of a procurement unit with independent procurement authority.

(4) Brand Name or Equal Specifications.

(a) Brand name or equal specifications may be used when:

(i) "or equivalent" reference is included in the specification; and,

(ii) as many other brand names as practicable are also included in the specification.

(b) Brand name or equal specifications shall include a description of the particular design and functional or performance characteristics which are required. Specifications unique to the brands shall be described in sufficient detail that another person can respond with an equivalent brand.

(c) When a manufacturer's specification is used in a solicitation, the solicitation shall state the minimum acceptable requirements of an equivalent. When practicable, the procurement unit shall name at least three manufacturer's specifications.

(5) Brand Name Sole Source Requirements.

(a) If only one brand can meet the requirement, the procurement unit shall conduct the procurement in accordance with 63G-6a-802 and shall solicit from as many providers of the brand as practicable; and.

(b) If there is only one provider that can meet the requirement, the procurement unit shall conduct the procurement in accordance with Section 63G-6a-802.

 

R33-4-104. Small Purchases.

Small purchases shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 63G-6a-408. This administrative rule provides additional requirements and procedures and must be used in conjunction with the Procurement Code.

(1) "Small Purchase" means a procurement conducted by a procurement unit that does not require the use of a standard procurement process.

(2) Small Purchase thresholds:

(a) The "Individual Procurement" threshold is a maximum amount of $1,000 for a procurement item;

(i) For individual procurement item(s) costing up to $1,000, an entity subject to these rules may select the best source by direct award and without seeking competitive bids or quotes.

(a) The single procurement aggregate threshold is a maximum amount of $5,000 for multiple procurement item(s) purchased from one source at one time; and

(b) The annual cumulative threshold from the same source is a maximum amount of $50,000.

(3) Whenever practicable, the Division of Purchasing and General Services and entities subject to these rules shall use a rotation system or other system designed to allow for competition when using the small purchases process.

 

R33-4-105. Small Purchases Threshold for Architectural and Engineering Services.

(1) The small purchase threshold for architectural or engineering services is a maximum amount of $100,000.

(2) Architectural or engineering services may be procured up to a maximum of $100,000, by direct negotiation after reviewing the qualifications of a minimum of three architectural or engineering firms.

(3) Procurement units subject to these rules shall follow the process described in Section 63G-6a-403 to prequalify potential vendors and Section 63G-6a-404 of the to develop an approved vendor list or Part 15 of the Utah Procurement Code for the selection of architectural and engineering services.

(4) Procurement units that are subject to these rules shall include minimum specifications when using the small purchase threshold for architectural and engineering services.

(5) Executive Branch procurement units, to the extent they do not have independent procurement authority, shall involve the Division in the procurement of architectural or engineering services.

 

R33-4-106. Small Purchases Threshold for Construction Projects.

(1) The small construction project threshold is a maximum of $2,500,000 for direct construction costs, including design and allowable furniture or equipment costs;

(2) Procurement units subject to these rules shall follow the process described in the Section 63G-6a-403 to prequalify potential vendors and Section 63G-6a-404 to develop an Approved Vendor List or other applicable selection methods described in the Utah Procurement Code for construction services.

(3) Procurement units subject to these rules shall include minimum specifications when using the small purchases threshold for construction projects.

(4) Executive Branch procurement units, to the extent they do not have independent procurement authority, shall involve the Division of Purchasing and General Services in the procurement of small construction projects.

(5) The chief procurement officer, or as applicable, [or]the head of a procurement unit with independent procurement authority , may procure small construction projects up to a maximum of $25,000 by direct award without seeking competitive bids or quotes after documenting that all building code approvals, licensing requirements, permitting and other construction related requirements are met. The awarded contractor must certify that they are capable of meeting the minimum specifications of the project.

(6) The chief procurement officer, or as applicable, [or]the head of a procurement unit with independent procurement authority , may procure small construction projects costing more than $25,000 up to a maximum of $100,000 by obtaining a minimum of two competitive quotes that include minimum specifications and shall award to the contractor with the lowest quote that meets the specifications after documenting that all applicable building code approvals, licensing requirements, permitting and other construction related requirements are met.

(7) If an approved vendor list is not established under Sections 63G-6a-403 and 404, procurement units shall procure construction projects over $100,000 using an invitation to bid or other approved source selection method outlined in the Utah Procurement Code.

 

R33-4-107. Quotes for Small Purchases from $1,001 to $50,000.

(1) For procurement item(s) where the cost is greater than $1,000 but up to a maximum of $5,000, an entity subject to these rules shall obtain a minimum of two competitive quotes that include minimum specifications and shall purchase the procurement item from the responsible vendor offering the lowest quote that meets the specifications.

(2) For procurement item(s) where the cost is greater than $5,000 up to a maximum of $50,000, a procurement unit with independent procurement authority that is subject to these rules or the Division of Purchasing and General Services on behalf of an executive branch procurement unit without independent procurement authority, as applicable, shall obtain a minimum of two competitive quotes that include minimum specifications and shall purchase the procurement item from the responsible vendor offering the lowest quote that meets the specifications.

(3) For procurement item(s) costing over $50,000, a procurement unit with independent procurement authority that is subject to these rules or the Division of Purchasing and General Services on behalf of an executive branch procurement unit without independent procurement authority, as applicable, shall conduct an invitation for bids or other procurement process outlined in the Utah Procurement Code.

(4) Limited Purchasing Delegation for Small Purchases. The Division of Purchasing and General Services may delegate limited purchasing authority for small purchases costing more than $5,000 up to a maximum of $50,000, to an executive branch procurement unit provided that the executive branch procurement unit enters into an agreement with the Division outlining the duties and responsibilities of the unit to comply with applicable laws, rules, policies and other requirements of the Division.

(5) The names of the vendors offering quotations and bids and the date and amount of each quotation or bid shall be recorded and maintained as a governmental record.

 

R33-4-108. Small Purchases of Services of Professionals, Providers, and Consultants.

(1) The small purchase threshold for professional service providers and consultants is a maximum amount of $100,000.

(2) After reviewing the qualifications of a minimum of two professional service providers or consultants, the chief procurement officer, or as applicable, [or]the head of a procurement unit with independent procurement authority , may obtain professional services or consulting services:

(a) up to a maximum of $50,000 by direct negotiation; or

(b) over $50,000 up to a maximum of $100,000 by obtaining a minimum of two quotes.

(3) Executive Branch procurement units, to the extent they do not have independent procurement authority, shall involve the Division in the procurement of professional services or consulting services.

 

R33-4-109. Procedures When Two Bids, Quotes, or Statement of Qualifications Cannot Be Obtained.

(1) The requirement that a procurement unit obtain a minimum of two bids, quotes, or statements of qualifications is waived when only one vendor submits a bid, provides a quote, or submits a statement of qualifications under the following circumstances:

(a) A solicitation meeting the public notice requirements of Utah Code 63G-6a-406 results in only one vendor willing to bid, provide quotes, or submit a statement of qualifications;

(b) Vendors on a multiple award contract, prequalification, or approved vendor list fail to bid, provide quotes, or submit statements of qualifications; or

(c) A procurement unit makes a reasonable effort to invite all known vendors to bid, provide quotes, or submit statements of qualifications and all but one of the invited vendors contacted fail to bid, provide quotes, or submit statements of qualifications.

(i) Reasonable effort shall mean:

(A) Public notice under Utah Code 63G-6a-406;

(B) An electronic or manual search for vendors within the specific industry, fails to identify any vendors willing to submit bids or provide quotes;

(C) Contacting industry-specific associations or manufacturers for the names of vendors within that industry; or

(D) A determination by the chief procurement officer, or as applicable, the head of a procurement unit with independent procurement authority that a reasonable effort has been made.

(2) Before accepting a bid or quote from only one vendor, the chief procurement officer, or as applicable, the head of a procurement unit with independent procurement authority, shall consider:

(a) whether pricing is fair and reasonable as set forth in R33-6-109(1);

(b) canceling the procurement as set forth in R33-9-103; and

(c) bid security requirement as set forth in R33-11-202.

(3) The chief procurement officer, or as applicable, the head of a procurement unit with independent procurement authority, shall maintain records documenting the circumstances and reasons why fewer than two bids, quotes, or statements of qualifications were obtained.

 

R33-4-110. Use of Electronic, Telephone, or Written Quotes.

(1) Quote means an informal purchasing process which solicits pricing information from several sources.

(2) Quotation means a statement of price, terms of sale, and description of goods or services offered by a vendor to a procurement unit; and

(a) A quotation is nonbinding and does not obligate a procurement unit to make a purchase or a vendor to make a sale.

(3) Electronic quote means a price quotation provided by a vendor through electronic means such as the internet, online sources, email, an interactive web-based market center, or other technology.

(4) A procurement unit may use electronic, telephone, or written quotes to obtain pricing and other information for a procurement item within the small purchase or approved vendor threshold limits established by rule provided:

(a) Quotations are for the same procurement item, including terms of sale, description, and quantity of goods or services;

(b) It is disclosed to the vendor that the quote is for a governmental entity and an inquiry is made as to whether the vendor is willing to provide a price discount to a governmental entity; and

(c) The procurement unit maintains a public record that includes:

(i) The name of each vendor supplying a quotation; and

(ii) The amount of each vendor's quotation.

(5) An executive branch procurement unit, subject to this rule:

(a) May obtain electronic, telephone, or written quotations for a procurement item costing less than $5,000;

(b) Shall send a request to obtain quotations for a procurement item costing more than $5,000 to the division of state purchasing;

(i) The division shall obtain quotations for executive branch procurement units for procurement items costing more than $5,000; and

(c) May not obtain quotations for a procurement item available on state contract unless otherwise specified in the terms of a solicitation or contract or authorized by rule or statute.

 

KEY: government purchasing, general procurement provisions, specifications, small purchases

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [July 8, 2014]2015

Notice of Continuation: July 8, 2014

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 63G-6a