HB4748 - Relating to state agency purchasing methods and procedures, including a state agency multiple award contract purchasing procedure.

      H.B. No. 4748         AN ACT   relating to state agency purchasing methods and procedures,   including a state agency multiple award contract purchasing   procedure.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 2156, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 2156.0013 to read as follows:           Sec.   2156.0013.     PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. This chapter does   not apply to a contract for professional services, as that term is   defined by Section 2254.002.          SECTION 2.  Chapter 2156, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter E to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER E. MULTIPLE AWARD PURCHASING PROCEDURE           Sec. 2156.201.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                 (1)     "Multiple award" means the award of a multiple   award contract to more than one vendor by the comptroller or a state   agency with the intent to order from the vendors who are awarded the   contract all of the solicited goods or services necessary to   satisfy the actual solicitation requirements for the contract.                 (2)     "Multiple award contract" has the meaning assigned   by Section 2155.501.           Sec.   2156.202.     USE OF MULTIPLE AWARD PURCHASING PROCEDURE.   (a) The comptroller or a state agency may use the multiple award   purchasing procedure described by this subchapter to award a   contract to more than one vendor for the purchase of similar goods   or services as necessary to ensure adequate delivery, service, or   product compatibility.           (b)     The comptroller or a state agency shall prepare a   written determination stating the comptroller's or agency's reasons   for using the multiple award purchasing procedure to purchase the   goods or services under a multiple award contract and retain the   determination in the multiple award contract file.           Sec.   2156.203.     REQUIRED DISCLOSURE OF INTENT AND CRITERIA   IN MULTIPLE AWARD SOLICITATION. The comptroller or a state agency   shall disclose in the solicitation for a multiple award contract   the comptroller's or agency's:                 (1)     intent to use the multiple award purchasing   procedure; and                 (2)  criteria for an award under that procedure.           Sec.   2156.204.     SOLICITATION, EVALUATION, AND AWARD. (a)   The comptroller or a state agency shall solicit, evaluate, and   award a multiple award contract in accordance with:                 (1)  Subchapter A;                 (2)  Subchapter C; or                 (3)     the request for offers method prescribed by   comptroller rules adopted under Section 2157.006.           (b)     Each contractor must provide, or be capable of   providing, the best value to the state.           Sec.   2156.205.     ORDERING. (a)   The comptroller or a state   agency shall place each order under a multiple award contract in a   manner that provides the best value to the state in accordance with   standards provided in Chapters 2155, 2156, 2157, and 2158. If   necessary to determine the best value to the state, the comptroller   or agency may conduct a secondary solicitation competition among   the vendors awarded a multiple award contract before placing the   order.           (b)     The comptroller or a state agency shall document the   method used for determining the best value to the state under a   multiple award contract and retain the documentation in the   contract file.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 4748 was passed by the House on May   16, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 121, Nays 4, 2 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 4748 was passed by the Senate on May   27, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor