SB1274 Summary

• Changes terminology from "severe disabilities" to "significant disabilities" and "sheltered workshop" to "work center" throughout the Illinois Procurement Code Section 45-35.

• Expands qualification requirements for not-for-profit agencies to include accreditation by nationally-recognized organizations or certification as a developmental training provider by the Department of Human Services.

• Requires the State Use Committee to develop guidelines within 6 months listing national accrediting organizations that satisfy qualification requirements and to adopt strategic plans every 3 years for increasing purchases from qualified agencies.

• Adds new subsection (e) establishing guidelines for subcontracts, requiring State Use Committee approval of all subcontracts and substantive amendments, and requiring qualified agencies to make reasonable efforts to use other not-for-profit agencies as subcontractors.

• Modifies the State Use Committee's authority to review pricing by allowing approval of proposed agreements where prices are "fair and reasonable" rather than allowing rejection based on competitive bid comparisons.