California Assembly Bill AB2248 Latest Draft

 BILL NUMBER: AB 2248AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 10, 2012 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Cook FEBRUARY 24, 2012 An act to add  Article 8 (commencing with Section 999.75) to Chapter 6 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans   Section 10354 to the Public Contract  Code, relating to  veterans   public contracts  . LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2248, as amended, Cook.  Veterans: service providers.   State contracts: veterans' services.  Existing law provides for certain services, protections, and benefits for veterans.  Existing law establishes a 3-percent participation goal for disabled veteran business enterprises in state procurement.  This bill would require  each entity of state government to give preference to a qualified entity, as defined, when awarding a grant or contract to provide social services to veterans. This bill would require a qualified entity to submit with the application for the grant or the bid for contract a certification, as provided, from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill would also authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct audits of qualified entities, as specified   the Director of General Services to establish criteria identifying state contracts for social services provided to veterans or their families and to create a process that would provide a participation incentive to specified bidders for state contracts for social services provided to veterans or their families for use by all state agencies. This bill would also make findings and declarations regarding the need for these programs  . Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:  SECTION 1.   Section 10354 is added to the   Public Contract Code   , to read:   10354. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that it is necessary to make explicit, in the award of state contracts for social services to veterans or their families, that consideration be made by the contracting entity of the experience and qualifications of the bidders for the contract and to provide an incentive for the selection of those bidders that demonstrate competency. (b) The Director of General Services shall adopt written policies and guidelines for use by contracting entities in determining whether a contract is a contract for social services to veterans or their families. A type of contract for social services may include, but is not limited to, the following: (1) A contract for housing services. (2) A contract for mental health services. (3) A contract for employment and job training services. (c) (1) The Director of General Services shall adopt written policies and guidelines establishing a uniform process for state contracting that provides a participation incentive to bidders that demonstrate indicia of competency under a contract for social services to veterans or their families. Indicia of competency includes, but is not limited to: (A) Knowledge, experience, and capacity to provide services to veterans. (B) Audits and employment history documenting fiscal and management capacity to capably perform public contracts. (C) Documentation that the bidder is exempt from income taxation as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and whose charitable purpose is the provision of services to veterans and their families. (D) Documentation that the majority of the bidder's resources are dedicated to serving the needs of veterans and their families. (E) Documentation of current required filings with the Secretary of State, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Franchise Tax Board. (2) Notwithstanding any other law, the incentive program established by this subdivision shall be used by all state agencies when awarding contracts for social services that are specifically intended to serve veterans or their families. (d) The department shall adopt rules and regulations as necessary or appropriate to implement this section.   SECTION 1.   Article 8 (commencing with Section 999.75) is added to Chapter 6 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans Code, to read: Article 8. Veterans Preference For State Services Contracts 999.75. For purposes of this article, both of the following shall apply: (a) A "qualified entity" means an entity that provides veterans with services, as specified in subdivision (a) of Section 999.76, and is capable of managing the grant moneys provided or the contract funds allocated in a fiscally prudent manner, and that meets all of the following requirements: (1) Demonstrates the knowledge, experience, and capacity to provide desired services to veterans. (2) Demonstrates through audits and employment history the fiscal and management capacity to capably perform public contracts. (3) Is a nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income taxation as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code with the primary purpose of providing services to veterans and their families. (4) Demonstrates that the majority of the entity's resources are dedicated to serving the needs of veterans and their families. (5) Demonstrates that all required filings with the Secretary of State, the office of the Attorney General, and the Franchise Tax Board, are current. (b) A qualified entity shall provide to the department all of the following up-to-date documents: (1) Articles of incorporation, and all amendments to the articles of incorporation. (2) IRS Letter of Determination. (3) Taxpayer identification number. (4) Independent audit reports dating back three years. 999.76. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, each entity of state government that awards grants to, or enters into contracts with, nongovernmental agencies shall give preference to a qualified entity when awarding a grant for a project that would provide to veterans, or when entering into a contract to provide to veterans social services, including, but not limited to, housing services, mental health services, or employment and job training services. (b) The qualified entity shall submit, with the application for the grant or the bid for the contract, a certification from the department. (c) (1) In order to obtain a certification as required by subdivision (b), the qualified entity shall apply to the department, in a form and manner as required by the department, for certification of its status as a qualified entity. (2) The department shall process and approve or reject all applications on the basis of the requirements set forth in Section 999.75. (d) The department may conduct an audit of qualified entities that receive grant funds, as provided by this section, to ensure the grant funds are being used to serve veterans. The results of an audit shall be made available to the public. The department may comply with the requirements of this subdivision by posting the results of an audit on its Internet Web site. 999.77. (a) A certification approved by the department shall be valid for two years from the date the department accepts credentials for certification. (b) The department may accept current certifications and licenses from any other state entity, agency, or department in order to provide a certification to a qualified entity pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 99.76.