Louisiana Senate Bill SB172

Louisiana 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/8/13
• Refer: 4/8/13

Caption

Requires Department of Transportation and Development to award contracts and issue a "notice to proceed" within sixty days of receipt of bids. (8/1/13)

Impact

The introduction of SB172 may significantly alter the way DOTD manages its contracting processes. By tightening the deadlines, the bill is expected to foster a more competitive bidding environment, encouraging contractors to respond more promptly and efficiently. Moreover, by repealing certain provisions that allowed for extensions or alternative contractor selections, the bill aims to establish clearer and more enforced timelines, thus aiming to improve accountability for both parties in the contracting process.

Summary

Senate Bill 172 aims to improve the efficiency of the contracting process within the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) by amending existing statutes related to the timeframes for awarding contracts and issuing work orders. The bill proposes to reduce the maximum time to award contracts from 45 to 30 calendar days and requires the issuance of work orders within 60 calendar days following bids. This initiative seeks to streamline operations and minimize delays that contractors face, potentially enhancing the speed with which infrastructure projects are initiated and completed.

Sentiment

General sentiment surrounding SB172 appears to be positive among proponents who argue that these measures will not only expedite project timelines but also enhance the overall quality of public works in Louisiana. By reducing the bureaucratic barriers, supporters believe that increased efficiency in the contracting process will ultimately benefit the general public through improved infrastructure. However, there could be concerns from contractors who may need more flexibility in the process to negotiate contracts, which might lead to some reservation about the lack of extended timeframes.

Contention

Notable contention regarding SB172 rests on the repeal of the authority for DOTD to award contracts to the next lowest bidder if the initially selected contractor declines to extend the contract award process. Critics might argue that this could reduce the flexibility that contractors have when navigating contract negotiations. Additionally, there may be apprehensions about how these tighter deadlines would be received by smaller contractors who might struggle to meet these expedited requirements amidst their operational constraints.