Law Firm News

New Law Indefinitely Extends Community College Use of Best Value Process in Bidding

November 2018
Number 74

An expiring law allowing special bidding procedures for community college districts has been amended and extended. Although competitive bidding is the default rule for procurement of personal property and non-construction related services by community college districts and other public agencies, under Public Contract Code section 20651.7, a community college district is allowed to award bids on the basis of "best value," if the district determines that it can expect "long-term savings through the use of life-cycle cost methodology, the use of more sustainable goods and materials, and reduced administrative costs." This allows community college districts to use factors other than price to determine the lowest responsible bidder for contracts that are competitively bid.

To utilize this method for awarding contracts, a community college district is required to establish policies and procedures for determining "best value," and in doing so is required to consider certain factors like pricing and service levels. Community college districts are also permitted to consider a number of additional factors, including the economic benefits to the local community and job creation and retention. This alternative method was set to expire on January 1, 2019. However, Assembly Bill (AB) 3186, signed by Governor Jerry Brown, extends the requirement indefinitely to community college districts, as well as to the University of California. AB 3186 also deletes the requirement that the use of best value procurement be reported by the district to the Legislative Analyst, which then would report to the Legislature.

For more information on this bill or on best value procurement generally, please contact the authors of this Client News Brief or an attorney at one of our eight offices located statewide. You can also visit our website, follow us on Facebook or Twitter or download our Client News Brief App.