MO HB1661

Repeals and reenacts section 34.165, RSMo, regarding state purchasing preferences for nonprofit organizations serving blind and severely disabled individuals.

Grants a ten-point bidding bonus for products and services manufactured by qualified nonprofit organizations for the blind or sheltered workshops certified by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, provided the organization provides at least 2% or $5,000 of total contract value for purchases not exceeding $10 million.

Requires the Commissioner of Administration to establish and publish a procurement list of products and services from qualified nonprofit agencies for the blind and severely disabled, with priority given to blind organizations, and directs all state agencies to purchase from these organizations when products are available within reasonable delivery time.

Mandates that state contracts with private vendors include language requiring purchases of listed products and services from qualified nonprofit agencies for the blind or severely disabled, with the vendor treated as the state agency for procurement purposes.

Authorizes the Governor to appoint an optional committee of at least five general assembly members, representatives from blind and disabled nonprofit organizations, and a private citizen to collaborate on furthering the state use program objectives.