House Bill 1106 Summary

• Requires state agencies and governing authorities to provide a secure electronic interactive system as an additional option for submitting bids on all competitive bidding purchases, with exemptions for entities without high-speed internet access and counties/municipalities under specified population thresholds.

• Mandates that reverse auctions be the primary bidding method for purchases over $50,000, unless the purchasing entity obtains Public Procurement Review Board approval to use alternative methods and justifies why reverse auction is not in the state's best interest.

• Removes the $1,000 fine and removal from office penalties for individuals who prematurely reveal the names of bidders and their identifying information during the proposal evaluation process; instead requires only that the procurement process be terminated and resolicited.

• Allows the Department of Finance and Administration to establish regulatory standards for electronic bid submission procedures that agencies must follow.

• Effective January 1, 2018.