HB 1162 Summary

• Expands State Procurement Director's powers to analyze contract routing processes, identify bottlenecks, and ensure vendor performance reports are searchable by state agencies.

• Requires attorney review of designated state contracts before execution, with review authority expanded to include attorneys from the Office of State Procurement, higher education institutions, and other state agencies licensed to practice in Arkansas.

• Extends multiyear contract terms from the current biennium to a maximum of four (4) years, with automatic termination if funds are not appropriated for continuation.

• Mandates performance-based contract standards for state agencies, boards, and higher education institutions for service contracts exceeding $1,000,000 annually or $7,000,000 total projected value, including objective performance measures and financial consequences for non-compliance.

• Requires vendor performance reporting for contracts over $25,000 when vendors fail to meet performance standards, submitted quarterly and monthly for 90 days after satisfactory performance, with reports maintained for three (3) years; repeals duplicative provisions in existing law.