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S.B. 114 Enrolled
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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill amends provisions of the Utah Procurement Code relating to protests, legal
10 action, and appeals.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . increases the number of members on the Procurement Policy Board;
14 . describes procedures and requirements for a protest before a protest officer and an
15 appeal of a protest decision;
16 . makes the procedures and requirements described in the preceding paragraph
17 applicable to state agencies, state purchasing agencies, and to most local public
18 procurement units;
19 . grants rulemaking authority to the Procurement Policy Board;
20 . requires a person who files an appeal of a protest decision to, subject to certain
21 exceptions, pay a security deposit or post a bond;
22 . describes the requirements and procedures relating to paying a security deposit or
23 posting a bond;
24 . provides for the forfeiture of a bond if an appeal or protest is frivolous or if its
25 primary purpose is to harass or cause a delay;
26 . requires a person who desires to protest a procurement to exhaust administrative
27 remedies;
28 . establishes procedures and requirements relating to protests and appeals of state
29 procurements, contracts, debarments, and suspensions;
30 . dissolves the procurement appeals board;
31 . provides for appeals to be made to the Procurement Policy Board and provides for
32 appointment of procurement appeals panels from among the membership of the
33 Procurement Policy Board or approved designees;
34 . provides for dismissal of appeals that are not filed in accordance with the
35 requirements of this bill;
36 . amends provisions relating to the statute of limitations and the jurisdiction of the
37 district court in procurement matters;
38 . prohibits the award of consequential damages in relation to an action brought under
39 this bill;
40 . provides an uncodified transitions clause; and
41 . makes technical changes.
42 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
43 None
44 Other Special Clauses:
45 This bill provides an immediate effective date.
46 Utah Code Sections Affected:
47 AMENDS:
48 26-8a-405.3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 297
49 63A-5-208, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
50 63G-6-104, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
51 63G-6-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 376
52 63G-6-202, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 376
53 63G-6-801, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 361
54 63G-6-802, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
55 63G-6-803, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
56 63G-6-805, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
57 63G-6-806, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
58 63G-6-812, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
59 63G-6-813, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
60 63G-6-816, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
61 63G-6-817, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
62 63G-6-819, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
63 63G-10-403, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 361
64 ENACTS:
65 63G-6-801.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
66 63G-6-807.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
67 63G-6-814.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
68 REPEALS AND REENACTS:
69 63G-6-807, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 286
70 63G-6-815, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
71 63G-6-907, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
72 REPEALS:
73 63G-6-808, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
74 63G-6-809, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
75 63G-6-810, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
76 63G-6-811, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
77 63G-6-814, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
78 Uncodified Material Affected:
79 ENACTS UNCODIFIED MATERIAL
80
81 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
82 Section 1. Section 26-8a-405.3 is amended to read:
83 26-8a-405.3. Use of competitive sealed proposals -- Procedure -- Appeal rights.
84 (1) (a) Competitive sealed proposals for paramedic or 911 ambulance services under
85 Section 26-8a-405.2 , or for non-911 services under Section 26-8a-405.4 , shall be solicited
86 through a request for proposal and the provisions of this section.
87 (b) The governing body of the political subdivision shall approve the request for
88 proposal prior to the notice of the request for proposals under Subsection (1)(c).
89 (c) (i) Notice of the request for proposals shall be published:
90 (A) at least once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general
91 circulation published in the county; or
92 (B) if there is no such newspaper, then notice shall be posted for at least 20 days in at
93 least five public places in the county; and
94 (ii) in accordance with Section 45-1-101 for at least 20 days.
95 (2) (a) Proposals shall be opened so as to avoid disclosure of contents to competing
96 offerors during the process of negotiations.
97 (b) (i) Subsequent to the published notice, and prior to selecting an applicant, the
98 political subdivision shall hold a presubmission conference with interested applicants for the
99 purpose of assuring full understanding of, and responsiveness to, solicitation requirements.
100 (ii) A political subdivision shall allow at least 90 days from the presubmission
101 conference for the proposers to submit proposals.
102 (c) Subsequent to the presubmission conference, the political subdivision may issue
103 addenda to the request for proposals. An addenda to a request for proposal shall be finalized
104 and posted by the political subdivision at least 45 days before the day on which the proposal
105 must be submitted.
106 (d) Offerors to the request for proposals shall be accorded fair and equal treatment with
107 respect to any opportunity for discussion and revisions of proposals, and revisions may be
108 permitted after submission and before a contract is awarded for the purpose of obtaining best
109 and final offers.
110 (e) In conducting discussions, there shall be no disclosures of any information derived
111 from proposals submitted by competing offerors.
112 (3) (a) (i) A political subdivision may select an applicant approved by the department
113 under Section 26-8a-404 to provide 911 ambulance or paramedic services by contract to the
114 most responsible offeror as defined in Subsection 63G-6-103 (24).
115 (ii) An award under Subsection (3)(a)(i) shall be made to the responsible offeror whose
116 proposal is determined in writing to be the most advantageous to the political subdivision,
117 taking into consideration price and the evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposal.
118 (b) The applicants who are approved under Section 26-8a-405 and who are selected
119 under this section may be the political subdivision issuing the request for competitive sealed
120 proposals, or any other public entity or entities, any private person or entity, or any
121 combination thereof.
122 (c) A political subdivision may reject all of the competitive proposals.
123 (4) In seeking competitive sealed proposals and awarding contracts under this section,
124 a political subdivision:
125 (a) shall apply the public convenience and necessity factors listed in Subsections
126 26-8a-408 (2) through (6);
127 (b) shall require the applicant responding to the proposal to disclose how the applicant
128 will meet performance standards in the request for proposal;
129 (c) may not require or restrict an applicant to a certain method of meeting the
130 performance standards, including:
131 (i) requiring ambulance medical personnel to also be a firefighter; or
132 (ii) mandating that offerors use fire stations or dispatch services of the political
133 subdivision;
134 (d) shall require an applicant to submit the proposal:
135 (i) based on full cost accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting
136 principals; and
137 (ii) if the applicant is a governmental entity, in addition to the requirements of
138 Subsection (4)(e)(i), in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards and
139 in compliance with the State of Utah Legal Compliance Audit Guide; and
140 (e) shall set forth in the request for proposal:
141 (i) the method for determining full cost accounting in accordance with generally
142 accepted accounting principles, and require an applicant to submit the proposal based on such
143 full cost accounting principles;
144 (ii) guidelines established to further competition and provider accountability; and
145 (iii) a list of the factors that will be considered by the political subdivision in the award
146 of the contract, including by percentage, the relative weight of the factors established under this
147 Subsection (4)(e), which may include such things as:
148 (A) response times;
149 (B) staging locations;
150 (C) experience;
151 (D) quality of care; and
152 (E) cost, consistent with the cost accounting method in Subsection (4)(e)(i).
153 (5) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection 63G-6-104 (3), the provisions of
154 Title 63G, Chapter 6, Part 8, Legal and Contractual Remedies, apply to the procurement
155 process required by this section, except as provided in Subsection (5)(c).
156 (b) [
157 in Section 63G-6-807 shall have jurisdiction to review and determine an appeal of an offeror
158 under this section [
159 (c) (i) An offeror may appeal the solicitation or award as provided by the political
160 subdivision's procedures. After all political subdivision appeal rights are exhausted, the offeror
161 may appeal under the provisions of Subsections (5)(a) and (b).
162 (ii) [
163 A procurement appeals panel described in Section 63G-6-807 shall determine whether the
164 solicitation or award was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section and
165 Section 26-8a-405.2 .
166 (d) The determination of an issue of fact by the appeals board shall be final and
167 conclusive unless arbitrary and capricious or clearly erroneous as provided in Section
168 63G-6-813 .
169 Section 2. Section 63A-5-208 is amended to read:
170 63A-5-208. Definitions -- Certain public construction bids to list subcontractors --
171 Changing subcontractors -- Bidders as subcontractors -- Dispute resolution process --
172 Penalties.
173 (1) As used in this section:
174 (a) "First-tier subcontractor" means a subcontractor who contracts directly with the
175 prime contractor.
176 (b) "Subcontractor" means any person or entity under contract with a contractor or
177 another subcontractor to provide services or labor for the construction, installation, or repair of
178 an improvement to real property.
179 (c) "Subcontractor" includes a trade contractor or specialty contractor.
180 (d) "Subcontractor" does not include suppliers who provide only materials, equipment,
181 or supplies to a contractor or subcontractor.
182 (2) The director shall apply the provisions of this section to achieve fair and
183 competitive bidding and to discourage bid-shopping by contractors.
184 (3) (a) (i) (A) On each public construction project, the director shall require the
185 apparent lowest three bidders to submit a list of their first-tier subcontractors indicating each
186 subcontractor's name, bid amount, and other information required by rule.
187 (B) Other bidders who are not one of the apparent lowest three bidders may also
188 submit a list of their first-tier subcontractors containing the information required by this
189 Subsection (3).
190 (C) The director may not consider any bid submitted by a bidder if the bidder fails to
191 submit a subcontractor list meeting the requirements of this section.
192 (ii) On projects where the contractor's total bid is less than $500,000, subcontractors
193 whose bid is less than $20,000 need not be listed.
194 (iii) On projects where the contractor's total bid is $500,000 or more, subcontractors
195 whose bid is less than $35,000 need not be listed.
196 (b) (i) The bidders shall submit this list within 24 hours after the bid opening time, not
197 including Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays.
198 (ii) This list does not limit the director's right to authorize a change in the listing of any
199 subcontractor.
200 (c) The bidders shall verify that all subcontractors listed as part of their bids are
201 licensed as required by state law.
202 (d) Twenty-four hours after the bid opening, the contractor may change the contractor's
203 subcontractors only after:
204 (i) receiving permission from the director; and
205 (ii) establishing that:
206 (A) the change is in the best interest of the state; and
207 (B) the contractor establishes reasons for the change that meet the standards established
208 by the State Building Board.
209 (e) If the director approves any changes in subcontractors that result in a net lower
210 contract price for subcontracted work, the total of the prime contract may be reduced to reflect
211 the changes.
212 (4) (a) A bidder may list himself as a subcontractor when the bidder is currently
213 licensed to perform the portion of the work for which the bidder lists himself as a subcontractor
214 and:
215 (i) the bidder intends to perform the work of a subcontractor himself; or
216 (ii) the bidder intends to obtain a subcontractor to perform the work at a later date
217 because the bidder was unable to:
218 (A) obtain a bid from a qualified subcontractor; or
219 (B) obtain a bid from a qualified subcontractor at a cost that the bidder considers to be
220 reasonable.
221 (b) (i) When the bidder intends to perform the work of a subcontractor himself, the
222 director may, by written request, require that the bidder provide the director with information
223 indicating the bidder's:
224 (A) previous experience in the type of work to be performed; and
225 (B) qualifications for performing the work.
226 (ii) The bidder must respond in writing within five business days of receiving the
227 director's written request.
228 (iii) If the bidder's submitted information causes the director to reasonably believe that
229 self-performance of the portion of the work by the bidder is likely to yield a substandard
230 finished product, the director shall:
231 (A) require the bidder to use a subcontractor for the portion of the work in question and
232 obtain the subcontractor bid under the supervision of the director; or
233 (B) reject the bidder's bid.
234 (c) (i) When the bidder intends to obtain a subcontractor to perform the work at a later
235 date, the bidder shall provide documentation with the subcontractor list describing:
236 (A) the bidder's efforts to obtain a bid of a qualified subcontractor at a reasonable cost;
237 and
238 (B) why the bidder was unable to obtain a qualified subcontractor bid.
239 (ii) If the bidder who intends to obtain a subcontractor to perform the work at a later
240 date is awarded a contract, the director shall supervise the bidder's efforts to obtain a qualified
241 subcontractor bid.
242 (iii) The director may not adjust the amount of the contract awarded in order to reflect
243 the actual amount of the subcontractor's bid.
244 (5) The division may not disclose any subcontractor bid amounts obtained under this
245 section until the division has awarded the project to a contractor.
246 (6) (a) The director shall, in consultation with the State Building Board, prepare draft
247 rules establishing a process for resolving disputes involved with contracts under the division's
248 procurement authority.
249 (b) The draft rules shall be presented to the Government Operations Interim Committee
250 for review, comment, and recommendations before August 31, 2004.
251 (c) The director shall consider, and the rules may include:
252 (i) requirements regarding preliminary resolution efforts between the parties directly
253 involved with the dispute;
254 (ii) requirements for the filing of claims, including notification, timeframes, and
255 documentation;
256 (iii) identification of the types of costs eligible for allocation and a method for
257 allocating costs among the parties to the dispute;
258 (iv) required time periods, not to exceed 60 days, for the resolution of the claim;
259 (v) provision for an independent hearing officer, panel, or arbitrator to extend the time
260 period for resolution of the claim by not to exceed 60 additional days for good cause;
261 (vi) provision for the extension of required time periods if the claimant agrees;
262 (vii) requirements that decisions be issued in writing;
263 (viii) provisions for administrative appeals of the decision;
264 (ix) provisions for the timely payment of claims after resolution of the dispute,
265 including any appeals;
266 (x) a requirement that the final determination resulting from the dispute resolution
267 process provided for in the rules is a final agency action subject to judicial review as provided
268 in Sections 63G-4-401 and 63G-4-402 ;
269 (xi) a requirement that a claim or dispute that does not include a monetary claim
270 against the division or its agents is not limited to the dispute resolution process provided for in
271 this Subsection (6);
272 (xii) requirements for claims and disputes to be eligible for this dispute resolution
273 process;
274 (xiii) the use of an independent hearing officer, panel, arbitration, or mediation; and
275 (xiv) the circumstances under which a subcontractor may file a claim directly with the
276 division.
277 (d) Persons pursuing claims under the process required by this Subsection (6):
278 (i) are bound by the decision reached under this process unless the decision is properly
279 appealed; and
280 (ii) may not pursue claims or disputes under the dispute resolution process established
281 in [
282 Contractual Remedies.
283 (7) In addition to all other reasons allowed by law or rule, the director may reject all
284 bids if none of the bidders whose bid is within the budget of the project submit a subcontractor
285 list that meets the requirements of this section.
286 (8) Any violation of this section, or any fraudulent misrepresentation by a contractor,
287 subcontractor, or supplier, may be grounds for:
288 (a) the contractor, subcontractor, or supplier to be suspended or debarred by the
289 director; or
290 (b) the contractor or subcontractor to be disciplined by the Division of Professional and
291 Occupational Licensing.
292 Section 3. Section 63G-6-104 is amended to read:
293 63G-6-104. Application of chapter.
294 (1) This chapter applies only to contracts solicited or entered into after the effective
295 date of this chapter unless the parties agree to its application to a contract solicited or entered
296 into prior to the effective date. This chapter does not apply to a city or a town.
297 (2) Except as provided in Section 63G-6-105 , this chapter shall apply to every
298 expenditure of public funds irrespective of their source, including federal assistance, by any
299 state agency under any contract.
300 (3) (a) (i) [
301 (3)(a)(ii), the only sections of this chapter that apply to local public procurement units[
302 Sections 63G-6-103 , 63G-6-105 , 63G-6-301 , 63G-6-303 through 63G-6-420 , 63G-6-422 ,
303 63G-6-501 through 63G-6-602 , 63G-6-801 through [
304
305
306
307 (ii) (A) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(a)(ii)(B), the only sections of this chapter
308 that apply to the Utah Transit Authority are Sections 63G-6-103 , 63G-6-105 , 63G-6-301 ,
309 63G-6-303 through 63G-6-420 , 63G-6-422 , 63G-6-501 through 63G-6-602 , 63G-6-801
310 through 63G-6-806 , and 63G-6-815 through 63G-6-819 .
311 (B) Except as provided in Section 63G-6-906 , the jurisdiction of a procurement appeals
312 panel is limited to matters involving state agencies.
313 (b) Subsections 63G-6-208 (1)(b), 63G-6-504 (4), and 63G-6-505 (2) also apply to local
314 public procurement units.
315 (c) For the purpose of application of those sections and subsections to a local public
316 procurement unit, "state" shall mean "local public procurement unit," "chief procurement
317 officer" or "head of a purchasing agency" shall mean any person conducting procurement for a
318 local public procurement unit, and "rules and regulations" shall mean ordinances and rules and
319 regulations promulgated by a local public procurement unit to implement or supplement those
320 sections.
321 (d) In addition to the sections and subsections listed above and except as provided in
322 Subsection 17B-1-108 (3) relating to local districts, each local public procurement unit shall
323 adopt ordinances relating to the procurement of architect-engineer services not inconsistent
324 with the provisions of Part 7, Architect-Engineer Services.
325 (e) Any other section of this chapter, or its implementing regulations, may be adopted
326 by any local public procurement unit.
327 (f) Any other implementing regulations adopted by local public procurement units may
328 not be inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.
329 (4) Unless otherwise provided by statute, this chapter does not apply to procurement of
330 real property.
331 Section 4. Section 63G-6-201 is amended to read:
332 63G-6-201. Creation of Procurement Policy Board.
333 (1) (a) There is created a state Procurement Policy Board.
334 (b) The policy board shall consist of [
335 (i) [
336 education, appointed by the board of regents;
337 (ii) [
338 the executive director of that department;
339 (iii) [
340 the executive director of that department;
341 (iv) [
342 by [
343 (v) [
344 Management appointed by the director of that division;
345 (vi) [
346 Association of Counties;
347 (vii) [
348 League of Cities and Towns;
349 (viii) [
350 service [
351 (ix) the executive director of the Department of Technology Services or the executive
352 director's designee; [
353 (x) the chief procurement officer or the chief procurement officer's designee[
354 (xi) two representatives of state agencies, other than a state agency already represented
355 on the board, appointed by the executive director of the Department of Administrative
356 Services, with the approval of the executive director of the state agency that employs the
357 employee.
358 (c) Members of the policy board shall be knowledgeable and experienced in, and have
359 supervisory responsibility for, procurement in their official positions.
360 (2) A board member shall serve as long as the member meets the description in
361 Subsection (1)(b) unless removed by the person or entity who appointed the board member.
362 (3) (a) The policy board shall:
363 (i) adopt rules of procedure for conducting its business; and
364 (ii) elect a chair to serve for one year.
365 (b) The chair may be elected to succeeding terms.
366 (c) The chief procurement officer shall designate an employee of the Division of
367 Purchasing and General Services to serve as the nonvoting secretary to the policy board.
368 (4) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but
369 may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
370 (a) Section 63A-3-106 ;
371 (b) Section 63A-3-107 ; and
372 (c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and
373 63A-3-107 .
374 Section 5. Section 63G-6-202 is amended to read:
375 63G-6-202. Powers and duties of board.
376 (1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 63G-6-104 and Subsection
377 63G-6-208 (1)(b), the policy board shall:
378 (a) make rules, consistent with this chapter, governing the procurement, management,
379 and control of any and all supplies, services, technology, and construction to be procured by the
380 state; and
381 (b) consider and decide matters of policy within the provisions of this chapter,
382 including those referred to it by the chief procurement officer.
383 (2) (a) The policy board may:
384 (i) audit and monitor the implementation of its rules and the requirements of this
385 chapter;
386 (ii) upon the request of a local public procurement unit, review that procurement unit's
387 proposed rules to ensure that they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter; and
388 (iii) approve the use of innovative procurement methods proposed by local public
389 procurement units.
390 (b) [
391 authority over the award or administration of:
392 (i) any particular contact; or
393 (ii) over any dispute, claim, or litigation pertaining to any particular contract.
394 Section 6. Section 63G-6-801 is amended to read:
395 63G-6-801. Definitions -- Protest to chief procurement officer or head of a
396 purchasing agency -- Time -- Authority to resolve protest.
397 (1) As used in this part, "protest officer" means:
398 (a) as it relates to a purchasing agency, the head of the purchasing agency or a designee
399 of the head of the purchasing agency;
400 (b) as it relates to a local public procurement unit, the purchasing officer or the
401 governing body of the local public procurement unit, or a designee of either;
402 (c) as it relates to a public procurement unit other than a public procurement unit
403 described in Subsection (1)(a) or (b), the chief procurement officer or the chief procurement
404 officer's designee.
405 [
406 prospective bidder, offeror, or contractor who is aggrieved in connection with the solicitation
407 or award of a contract may protest to the [
408
409 follows:
410 (a) with respect to an invitation for bids or a request for proposals [
411
412 (i) before the opening of bids or the closing date for proposals[
413 (ii) if the [
414 giving rise to the protest [
415
416
417 on which the person knows or should have known of the facts giving rise to the protest; or
418 [
419
420
421
422 (b) if Subsection (2)(a) does not apply, within seven days after the day on which the
423 person knows or should have known of the facts giving rise to the protest.
424 (3) As it relates to a solicitation or award by a local public procurement unit, the
425 aggrieved actual or prospective bidder, offeror, or contractor shall:
426 (a) file the protest, in writing, with the procurement officer or governing body of the
427 public procurement unit; and
428 (b) comply with the requirements described in Subsections (2)(a) and (b).
429 (4) A person who is debarred or suspended under this chapter may protest the
430 debarment or suspension to the protest officer that ordered the debarment, as applicable, within
431 seven days after the day on which the debarment or suspension is ordered.
432 (5) A person who files a protest under this section shall include in the filing document:
433 (a) the person's address of record and email address of record; and
434 (b) a concise statement of the grounds upon which the protest is made.
435 (6) A person described in Subsection (2), (3), or (4) who fails to timely file a protest
436 under this section may not bring a protest, action, or appeal challenging a solicitation or award
437 of a contract, or a debarment or suspension, before the protest officer, an appeals panel, a court,
438 or any other forum.
439 (7) Subject to the applicable requirements of Section 63G-10-403 , a protest officer, or
440 the protest officer's designee, may enter into a settlement agreement to resolve a protest.
441 Section 7. Section 63G-6-801.5 is enacted to read:
442 63G-6-801.5. Requirement to exhaust administrative remedies -- Protests and
443 appeals.
444 (1) A person may not challenge a procurement, a procurement process, the award of a
445 contract relating to a procurement, a debarment, or a suspension, in a court, before an
446 administrative officer or body, or in any other forum other than the forum permitted in this
447 chapter.
448 (2) A person who desires to challenge a procurement, a procurement process, the award
449 of a contract relating to a procurement, a debarment, or a suspension, shall bring the challenge,
450 in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, by timely filing:
451 (a) a protest in accordance with Section 63G-6-801 ;
452 (b) any appeal of the protest decision in accordance with Section 63G-6-807 ; and
453 (c) any appeal from a procurement appeals panel in accordance with Section
454 63G-6-815 .
455 (3) A person who files a protest or appeal under this chapter is limited to protesting or
456 appealing on the grounds specified in the filing document described in Subsection
457 63G-6-801 (3)(b).
458 (4) In hearing a protest or an appeal under this chapter relating to an expenditure of
459 federal assistance, federal contract funds, or a federal grant, the person who hears the appeal
460 shall ensure compliance with federal law and regulations relating to the expenditure.
461 Section 8. Section 63G-6-802 is amended to read:
462 63G-6-802. Effect of timely protest or appeal.
463 In the event of a timely protest under [
464
465 Section 63G-6-807 or 63G-6-815 , a state executive branch agency or a local public
466 procurement unit may not proceed further with the solicitation or with the award of the contract
467 until:
468 (1) all administrative and judicial remedies [
469 (2) for a protest under Section 63G-6-801 or an appeal under Section 63G-6-807 :
470 (a) the chief procurement officer, after consultation with the attorney general's office
471 and the head of the using agency [
472 determination that [
473 interests of the state[
474 (b) the head of the purchasing agency, after consultation with the attorney general's
475 office, makes a written determination that award of the contract without delay is necessary to
476 protect substantial interests of the state; or
477 (c) for a local public procurement unit that is not represented by the attorney general's
478 office, the local public procurement unit, after consulting with the attorney for the local public
479 procurement unit, makes a written determination that award of the contract without delay is
480 necessary to protect substantial interests of the local public procurement unit; or
481 (3) for an appeal under Section 63G-6-815 , or an appeal to a higher court than district
482 court:
483 (a) the chief procurement officer, after consultation with the attorney general's office
484 and the head of the using agency, makes a written determination that award of the contract
485 without delay is in the best interest of the state;
486 (b) the head of the purchasing agency, after consultation with the attorney general's
487 office, makes a written determination that award of the contract without delay is in the best
488 interest of the state; or
489 (c) for a local public procurement unit that is not represented by the attorney general's
490 office, the local public procurement unit, after consulting with the attorney for the local public
491 procurement unit, makes a written determination that award of the contract without delay is
492 necessary to protect the best interest of the local public procurement unit.
493 Section 9. Section 63G-6-803 is amended to read:
494 63G-6-803. Costs to or against protestor.
495 (1) When a protest is sustained administratively or upon administrative or judicial
496 review and the protesting bidder or offeror should have been awarded the contract under the
497 solicitation but is not, the protestor shall be entitled to the following relief as a claim against
498 the state:
499 (a) the reasonable costs incurred in connection with the solicitation, including bid
500 preparation and appeal costs; and
501 (b) any equitable relief determined to be appropriate by the reviewing administrative or
502 judicial body.
503 (2) When a protest is not sustained by [
504 appeals panel, the protestor shall reimburse the Division of Purchasing and General Services
505 for the per diem and expenses paid by the division to witnesses or appeals [
506 members and any additional expenses incurred by the state agency staff who have provided
507 materials and administrative services to the [
508 (3) The provisions of Title 63G, Chapter 7, Part 4, Notice of Claim Against a
509 Governmental Entity or a Government Employee, and Section 63G-7-601 do not apply to
510 actions brought under this chapter by an aggrieved party for equitable relief or reasonable costs
511 incurred in preparing or appealing an unsuccessful bid or offer.
512 Section 10. Section 63G-6-805 is amended to read:
513 63G-6-805. Authority to resolve controversy between state and contractor.
514 [
515
516 commencement of an action in court concerning [
517 controversy [
518
519 between the state and the contractor, including controversies based upon breach of contract,
520 [
521 settle and resolve the controversy.
522 Section 11. Section 63G-6-806 is amended to read:
523 63G-6-806. Decisions of protest officer to be in writing -- Effect of no writing.
524 (1) After a timely protest is filed in accordance with Section 63G-6-801 , the protest
525 officer:
526 (a) shall consider the protest; and
527 (b) may hold a hearing on the protest.
528 (2) (a) The protest officer may:
529 (i) subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance at a protest hearing; or
530 (ii) subpoena documents for production at a protest hearing.
531 (b) The Rules of Evidence do not apply to a protest hearing.
532 (c) The Procurement Policy Board shall make rules relating to intervention in a protest,
533 including designating:
534 (i) who may intervene; and
535 (ii) the time and manner of intervention.
536 (d) If a hearing on a protest is held under this section, the protest officer shall:
537 (i) record the hearing;
538 (ii) preserve all evidence presented at the hearing; and
539 (iii) preserve all records and other evidence relied upon in reaching the written decision
540 described in this section.
541 (e) Regardless of whether a hearing on a protest is held under this section, the protest
542 officer shall preserve all records and other evidence relied upon in reaching the written
543 decision.
544 (f) The records described in Subsections (2)(d) and (e) may not be destroyed until the
545 decision, and any appeal of the decision, becomes final.
546 (g) A protest officer who holds a hearing, considers a protest, or issues a written
547 decision under this section does not waive the right to, at a later date, question or challenge the
548 protest officer's jurisdiction to hold the hearing, consider the protest, or render the decision.
549 [
550
551 issue a written decision regarding any protest, debarment [
552 controversy if it is not settled by [
553 the action taken and inform the protestor, contractor, or prospective contractor of the right to
554 judicial or administrative review as provided in this chapter.
555 [
556 extent provided in Section 63G-6-802 . A copy of the decision [
557 (1) shall be mailed, emailed, or otherwise furnished immediately to the protestor, prospective
558 contractor, or contractor. The decision shall be final and conclusive unless the protestor,
559 prospective contractor, or contractor [
560
561
562 (a) for a controversy described in Section 63G-6-805 , commences an action in district
563 court in accordance with [
564 (b) for a controversy related to a solicitation or the award of a contract, files an appeal
565 under Section 63G-6-807 ; or
566 (c) for a debarment or suspension, files an appeal under Section 63G-6-807 .
567 [
568
569 contract controversy within [
570 final decision is filed with the protest officer, or within [
571 upon by the parties, [
572 an adverse decision had been received.
573 (6) Except for a controversy described in Section 63G-6-805 , a determination under
574 this section by the protest officer regarding an issue of fact may not be overturned on appeal
575 unless the decision is arbitrary and capricious or clearly erroneous.
576 Section 12. Section 63G-6-807 is repealed and reenacted to read:
577 63G-6-807. Appeal to Procurement Policy Board -- Appointment of procurement
578 appeals panel -- Proceedings.
579 (1) A party to a protest may appeal the protest decision to the Procurement Policy
580 Board by:
581 (a) filing a written notice of appeal with the chair of the Procurement Policy Board
582 within seven days after:
583 (i) the day on which the written decision described in Section 63G-6-806 is:
584 (A) personally served on the party or the party's representative; or
585 (B) emailed or mailed to the address or email address of record provided by the party
586 under Subsection 63G-6-801 (2); or
587 (ii) the day on which the 30-day period described in Subsection 63G-6-806 (5) ends, if a
588 written decision is not issued before the end of the 30-day period;
589 (b) including in the filing document the person's address of record and email address of
590 record; and
591 (c) at the time that the notice of appeal described in Subsection (1)(a) is filed,
592 complying with the requirements of Section 63G-6-807.5 regarding the posting of a security
593 deposit or a bond.
594 (2) A person may not appeal from a protest described in Section 63G-6-801 , unless:
595 (a) a decision on the protest has been issued; or
596 (b) a decision is not issued and the 30-day period described in Subsection
597 63G-6-806 (5) has passed.
598 (3) The chair of the Procurement Policy Board or a designee of the chair who is not
599 employed by the public entity responsible for the solicitation, contract award, or other action
600 complained of:
601 (a) shall, within seven days after the day on which the chair receives a timely written
602 notice of appeal under Subsection (1), appoint:
603 (i) a procurement appeals panel to hear and decide the appeal, consisting of at least
604 three individuals, each of whom shall be:
605 (A) a member of the Procurement Policy Board; or
606 (B) a designee of a member appointed under Subsection (3)(a)(i)(A), if the designee is
607 approved by the chair; and
608 (ii) one of the members of the procurement appeals panel to be the chair of the panel;
609 (b) may:
610 (i) appoint the same procurement appeals panel to hear more than one appeal; or
611 (ii) appoint a separate procurement appeals panel for each appeal; and
612 (c) may not appoint a person to a procurement appeals panel if the person is employed
613 by the public entity responsible for the solicitation, contract award, or other action complained
614 of.
615 (4) A procurement appeals panel described in Subsection (3) shall:
616 (a) consist of an odd number of members;
617 (b) except as provided in Subsection (5), conduct an informal proceeding on the appeal
618 within 60 days after the day on which the procurement appeals panel is appointed, unless all
619 parties stipulate to a later date;
620 (c) at least seven days before the proceeding, mail, email, or hand deliver a written
621 notice of the proceeding to the parties to the appeal; and
622 (d) within seven days after the day on which the proceeding ends:
623 (i) issue a written decision on the appeal; and
624 (ii) mail, email, or hand deliver the written decision on the appeal to the parties to the
625 appeal and to the protest officer.
626 (5) A procurement appeals panel may continue a procurement appeals proceeding
627 beyond the 60-day period described in Subsection (4)(b) if the procurement appeals panel
628 determines that the continuance is in the interests of justice.
629 (6) A procurement appeals panel:
630 (a) shall consider the appeal based solely on:
631 (i) the protest decision;
632 (ii) the record considered by the person who issued the protest decision; and
633 (iii) if a protest hearing was held, the record of the protest hearing;
634 (b) may not take additional evidence; and
635 (c) shall uphold the decision of the protest officer, unless the decision is arbitrary and
636 capricious or clearly erroneous.
637 (7) If a procurement appeals panel determines that the decision of the protest officer is
638 arbitrary and capricious or clearly erroneous, the procurement appeals panel:
639 (a) shall remand the matter to the protest officer to cure the problem or render a new
640 decision;
641 (b) may recommend action that the protest officer should take; and
642 (c) may not order that:
643 (i) a contract be awarded to a certain person;
644 (ii) a contract or solicitation be cancelled; or
645 (iii) any other action be taken other than the action described in Subsection (7)(a).
646 (8) The Procurement Policy Board shall make rules relating to the conduct of an
647 appeals proceeding, including rules that provide for:
648 (a) expedited proceedings; and
649 (b) electronic participation in the proceedings by panel members and participants.
650 (9) The Rules of Evidence do not apply to an appeals proceeding.
651 Section 13. Section 63G-6-807.5 is enacted to read:
652 63G-6-807.5. Requirement to post a security deposit or bond -- Exceptions --
653 Forfeiture of security deposit or bond.
654 (1) Except as provided by rule made under Subsection (2)(a), a person who files an
655 appeal under Section 63G-6-807 shall, at the time that the appeal is filed, pay a security deposit
656 or post a bond with the protest officer in an amount that is the greater of:
657 (a) for the appeal of a debarment or suspension, $1,000;
658 (b) for any type of procurement, $1,000;
659 (c) for an invitation for bids, 5% of:
660 (i) the lowest bid amount, if the bid opening has occurred; or
661 (ii) the estimated contract cost, established in accordance with Subsection (2)(b), if the
662 bid opening has not yet occurred;
663 (d) for a request for proposals, 5% of:
664 (i) the lowest cost proposed in a response to a request for proposals, if the opening of
665 proposals has occurred; or
666 (ii) the estimated contract cost, established in accordance with Subsection (2)(b), if the
667 opening of proposals has not occurred; or
668 (e) for a type of procurement other than an invitation for bids or a request for
669 proposals, the amount established in accordance with Subsection (2).
670 (2) The Procurement Policy Board shall make rules, in accordance with Title 63G,
671 Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, that establish:
672 (a) circumstances and procedures under which the requirement for paying a security
673 deposit or posting a bond may be waived or reduced on grounds, including:
674 (i) that the person filing the appeal is impecunious;
675 (ii) circumstances where certain small purchases are involved; or
676 (iii) other grounds determined by the Division of Purchasing and General Services to
677 be appropriate; and
678 (b) the method used to determine:
679 (i) the estimated contract cost described in Subsections (1)(c)(ii) and (1)(d)(ii); and
680 (ii) the amount described in Subsection (1)(e).
681 (3) The chair of the Procurement Policy Board shall dismiss a protest filed under
682 Section 63G-6-807 if the actual or prospective bidder, offeror, or contractor fails to timely pay
683 the security deposit or post the bond required under Subsection (1).
684 (4) The chair of the Procurement Policy Board shall:
685 (a) retain the security deposit or bond until the protest and any appeal of the protest
686 decision is final;
687 (b) as it relates to a security deposit:
688 (i) deposit the security deposit into an interest-bearing account; and
689 (ii) after any appeal of the protest decision becomes final, return the security deposit
690 and the interest it accrues to the person who paid the security deposit, unless the security
691 deposit is forfeited to the General Fund under Subsection (5); and
692 (c) as it relates to a bond:
693 (i) retain the bond until the protest and any appeal of the protest decision becomes
694 final; and
695 (ii) after the protest and any appeal of the protest decision becomes final, return the
696 bond to the person who posted the bond, unless the bond is forfeited to the General Fund under
697 Subsection (5).
698 (5) A security deposit that is paid, or a bond that is posted, under this section shall
699 forfeit to the General Fund if:
700 (a) the person who paid the security deposit or posted the bond fails to ultimately
701 prevail on appeal; and
702 (b) the procurement appeals panel finds that the protest or appeal is frivolous or that its
703 primary purpose is to harass or cause a delay.
704 Section 14. Section 63G-6-812 is amended to read:
705 63G-6-812. Discontinued appeal with prejudice, except as authorized.
706 After notice of an appeal [
707 Procurement Policy Board is filed under Section 63G-6-807 , no party may discontinue the
708 appeal without prejudice, except as authorized by the [
709 procurement appeals panel appointed for the appeal.
710 Section 15. Section 63G-6-813 is amended to read:
711 63G-6-813. Factual determination of procurement appeals panel final and
712 conclusive.
713 [
714
715
716
717
718 [
719
720 overturned on appeal, unless the determination is arbitrary and capricious or clearly erroneous.
721 [
722 Section 16. Section 63G-6-814.5 is enacted to read:
723 63G-6-814.5. Dismissal of an appeal not filed in compliance with requirements.
724 (1) The protest officer may dismiss a protest described in Section 63G-6-801 that is not
725 filed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
726 (2) A procurement appeals panel may dismiss an appeal that is assigned to the
727 procurement appeals panel if the appeal is not filed in accordance with the requirements of this
728 chapter.
729 Section 17. Section 63G-6-815 is repealed and reenacted to read:
730 63G-6-815. Appeal to Utah Court of Appeals -- Jurisdiction of district court.
731 (1) Subject to Subsection (2), a person who receives an adverse decision, or the state,
732 may appeal a decision of a procurement appeals panel to the Utah Court of Appeals within
733 seven days after the day on which the decision is issued.
734 (2) An agency in the state executive branch or a local public procurement unit may not
735 appeal the decision of a procurement appeals panel, unless the appeal is:
736 (a) recommended by the protest officer involved; and
737 (b) except for a local public procurement unit that is not represented by the attorney
738 general's office, approved by the attorney general.
739 (3) The Utah Court of Appeals:
740 (a) shall consider the appeal as an appellate court;
741 (b) may not hear the matter as a trial de novo; and
742 (c) may not overturn a finding or decision of the protest officer or a procurement
743 appeals panel, unless the finding or decision is arbitrary and capricious or clearly erroneous.
744 (4) The Utah Court of Appeals is encouraged to:
745 (a) give an appeal made under Subsection (1) priority; and
746 (b) consider the appeal and render a decision in an expeditious manner.
747 (5) The district court shall have original jurisdiction in a cause of action between a
748 contractor and the state for any cause of action that arises under, or in relation to, an existing
749 contract between the contractor and the state.
750 Section 18. Section 63G-6-816 is amended to read:
751 63G-6-816. Effect of prior determination by agents of state.
752 In any judicial action under Section 63G-6-815 , determinations by employees, agents,
753 or other persons appointed by the state shall be final and conclusive only as provided in
754 Sections 63G-6-419 [
755 Section 19. Section 63G-6-817 is amended to read:
756 63G-6-817. Statutes of limitations.
757 [
758 [
759
760
761
762
763
764 [
765
766 [
767 commenced within six months after [
768
769 action knew or should have known of the circumstances upon which the action is based.
770 [
771 for breach of contract shall apply to any action commenced pursuant to Subsection
772 63G-6-815 [
773
774
775 Section 20. Section 63G-6-819 is amended to read:
776 63G-6-819. Effect of violation after award of contract.
777 (1) If after [
778 administrative or judicial review that a solicitation or award of a contract is in violation of law:
779 [
780 fraudulently or in bad faith:
781 [
782
783 [
784 (ii) the person awarded the contract shall be compensated for the actual expenses
785 reasonably incurred under the contract [
786 profit; or
787 [
788 [
789 [
790 interests of the state, without prejudice to the state's rights to any appropriate damages.
791 (2) Under no circumstances is a person entitled to consequential damages in relation to
792 a solicitation or award of a contract under this chapter, including consequential damages for
793 lost profits, loss of business opportunities, or damage to reputation.
794 Section 21. Section 63G-6-907 is repealed and reenacted to read:
795 63G-6-907. Resolution of local public procurement controversies.
796 (1) The provisions of this chapter relating to protests and appeals apply to a local
797 public procurement unit.
798 (2) An agreement is not required for Subsection (1) to apply.
799 Section 22. Section 63G-10-403 is amended to read:
800 63G-10-403. Department of Transportation bid or request for proposals protest
801 settlement agreement approval and review.
802 (1) As used in this section:
803 (a) "Department" means the Department of Transportation created in Section 72-1-201 .
804 (b) "Settlement agreement" includes stipulations, consent decrees, settlement
805 agreements, or other legally binding documents or representations resolving a dispute between
806 the department and another party when the department is required to pay money or required to
807 take legally binding action.
808 (2) The department shall obtain the approval of the Transportation Commission or the
809 governor or review by the Legislative Management Committee of a settlement agreement that
810 involves a bid or request for proposal protest in accordance with this section.
811 (3) A settlement agreement that is being settled by the department as part of a bid or
812 request for proposal protest, in accordance with [
813 that might cost government entities more than $100,000 to implement shall be presented to the
814 Transportation Commission for approval or rejection.
815 (4) A settlement agreement that is being settled by the department as part of a bid or
816 request for proposal protest, in accordance with [
817 that might cost government entities more than $500,000 to implement shall be presented:
818 (a) to the Transportation Commission for approval or rejection; and
819 (b) to the governor for approval or rejection.
820 (5) (a) A settlement agreement that is being settled by the department as part of a bid or
821 request for proposal protest, in accordance with [
822 that might cost government entities more than $1,000,000 to implement shall be presented:
823 (i) to the Transportation Commission for approval or rejection;
824 (ii) to the governor for approval or rejection; and
825 (iii) if the settlement agreement is approved by the Transportation Commission and the
826 governor, to the Legislative Management Committee.
827 (b) The Legislative Management Committee may recommend approval or rejection of
828 the settlement agreement.
829 (6) (a) The department may not enter into a settlement agreement that resolves a bid or
830 request for proposal protest, in accordance with [
831 that might cost government entities more than $100,000 to implement until the Transportation
832 Commission has approved the agreement.
833 (b) The department may not enter into a settlement agreement that resolves a bid or
834 request for proposal protest, in accordance with [
835 that might cost government entities more than $500,000 to implement until the Transportation
836 Commission and the governor have approved the agreement.
837 (c) The department may not enter into a settlement agreement that resolves a bid or
838 request for proposal protest in accordance with [
839 that might cost government entities more than $1,000,000 to implement until:
840 (i) the Transportation Commission has approved the agreement;
841 (ii) the governor has approved the agreement; and
842 (iii) the Legislative Management Committee has reviewed the agreement.
843 Section 23. Repealer.
844 This bill repeals:
845 Section 63G-6-808, Rules of procedure to be adopted.
846 Section 63G-6-809, Decisions to be in writing.
847 Section 63G-6-810, Jurisdiction of Procurement Appeals Board.
848 Section 63G-6-811, Time limits to file protest or appeal -- Effect of filing.
849 Section 63G-6-814, Right to appeal to Court of Appeals.
850 Section 24. Transition.
851 (1) The Procurement Appeals Board is dissolved after all cases pending before the
852 Procurement Appeals Board on February 1, 2012, are heard and become final.
853 (2) All appeals made to the Procurement Appeals Board on or after February 2, 2012,
854 shall be assigned to a procurement appeals panel by the chair of the Procurement Policy Board
855 within 30 days after the day on which this bill becomes law.
856 (3) Payment of a security deposit or the posting of a bond required in this bill is not
857 required for:
858 (a) an appeal that is pending before the Procurement Appeals Board on February 1,
859 2012; or
860 (b) a case that is pending before a district court or an appellate court on February 1,
861 2012.
862 (4) Until the rules described in Subsections 63G-6-807.5 (1)(c)(ii), (d)(ii), and (e) are
863 made and in effect, the amount of a security deposit or bond described in this bill shall be the
864 lesser of:
865 (a) $1,000; or
866 (b) an amount set by the chief procurement officer.
867 (5) Uncodified Section 24, Transition, is repealed on July 1, 2014.
868 Section 25. Effective date.
869 If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this bill takes effect
870 upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah
871 Constitution Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto,
872 the date of veto override.
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