MS SB2073

Amends Mississippi Code Section 31-7-13 to authorize Certified Purchasing Offices to include a bidder's local office and inventory location within the jurisdiction as a factor in best value bid calculations.

Allows Certified Purchasing Offices to consider additional criteria beyond lowest price, including life-cycle costing, warranties, previous experience, training costs, and local presence when determining best value for commodity purchases.

Permits Certified Purchasing Offices to utilize Request For Proposals (RFP) process when purchasing commodities, in addition to traditional sealed bid procedures.

Requires that all best value evaluation factors, including consideration of local office and inventory location, must be included in the bid specifications and cannot be based on criteria outside the stated specifications.

Effective July 1, 2013.