HI SB229

Department of Education must adopt rules incorporating geographic preference for unprocessed locally grown and locally raised agricultural products in food program procurement.

Rules must comply with federal guidance from the April 22, 2011 final rule published in the Federal Register (76 Federal Register 22603, et seq.).

Department must post procurement policies, all solicitations, and awarded contracts to its website, including those involving geographic preference for local agricultural products.

Procurement rules must address timely contract management, prohibit cost-plus pricing, consider quality and sustainability factors, prohibit artificial bid division, and establish dispute resolution processes.

Geographic preference cannot supersede competitive bidding requirements, and all contracts must include a defined period of performance.