HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 117

(By Delegates Howell, C. Martin, Angelucci, Azinger, Barnhart, Hamrick, Hansen, Hanna, Hicks, Hott, D. Jeffries, J. Jeffries, Jennings, Little, Pyles, Staggers, Sypolt, Tomblin, Walker, and Wilson)

[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization; Reported February 24, 2020 ]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study state procurement policies to identify best practices, including exploring exceptions to the statewide contract and purchasing policies generally.

Whereas, The West Virginia Legislature is committed to establishing clear policies and procedures to protect the public money entrusted to the government and its agencies, and to ensure that state procurement is done efficiently with the highest quality for the lowest cost; and

Whereas, Exemptions to the purchasing policies may be necessary in certain emergency situations in order to allow critical governmental functions to continue so the public is protected and served; and

Whereas, Legislative Audits of purchasing policy exempt agencies have identified several concerning practices, including but not limited to, stringing purchases together in excess of the dollar threshold where competitive bids should have been let and the purchasing of commodities off the statewide contract; and

Whereas, Circumstances do arise where a locally sourced equipment or products are readily available at a competitive cost where waiting on the statewide contract providers resulting in unavoidable delays and lost service delivery to the public; therefore be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study state procurement policies to identify best practices, including exploring exceptions to the statewide contract and purchasing policies generally; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Purchasing Division and the Department of Administration shall cooperate with the Legislature in the conduct of this study; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Regular Session of the Legislature, 2021, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.