Bills affecting public works contracting thresholds

A number of bills have been introduced that affect public works contracting thresholds. The bills would:

1. Increase the limits for work that can be completed by public works staff;
2. Increase the small works roster limit which increases when a project goes to bid;
3. Change the criteria for choosing which bidder is the lowest responsible bidder; or
4. Create some combination thereof.

Five bills affecting cities are:

SB 5618 concerning public works bid limits:

• Increases the minimum thresholds for work conducted by staff in code cities and second class cities or towns;
• Increases the small works roster to $500,000 or less; and
• Requires OFM to adjust the small works roster by an inflationary factor every five years.

HB 1174 and SB 5225 clarifying the contracting procedures for cities:

• Allows second class cities, towns, and code cities to award contracts to responsive bidders that are within 5 percent of the lowest bid and meet additional qualifying project requirements.

SB 5418 and HB 1359, concerning local government procurement modernization and efficiency:

• Increases the small works roster limit to $500,000 or less.

The Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee has indicated an interest in a more comprehensive bill addressing public works contract modernization. AWC will continue working with the chair and other legislators on this topic.