SLS 14RS-849 ORIGINAL Page 1 of 3 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. Regular Session, 2014 SENATE BILL NO. 522 BY SENATOR WARD PUBLIC CONTRACTS. Authorizes the state to enter into consulting services contracts with licensed insurance producers for the procurement of insurance for risk management. (8/1/14) AN ACT1 To amend and reenact R.S. 39:1484(A)(4)(b) and 1540, relative to consulting service2 contracts; to authorize the office of risk management to enter into consulting service3 contracts with one or more licensed insurance producers; to provide for the definition4 of consulting services; to provide for approvals of such contracts; and to provide for5 related matters.6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7 Section 1. R.S. 39:1484(A)(4)(b) and 1540 are hereby amended and reenacted to8 read as follows: 9 §1484. Definitions and objectives10 A. When used in this Chapter, the words defined in this Section shall have11 the meanings set forth below unless the context in which they are used clearly12 requires a different meaning or a different definition is prescribed for a particular13 Part or provision:14 * * *15 (4) * * *16 (b) The term "consulting service" includes the procurement of supplies and17 SB NO. 522 SLS 14RS-849 ORIGINAL Page 2 of 3 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. services by a contractor without the necessity of complying with provisions of the1 Louisiana Procurement Code when such supplies and services are either for2 insurance procured directly by a licensed insurance producer pursuant to R.S.3 39:1540(B) or, are merely ancillary to the provision of consulting services under a4 contingency fee arrangement, even though the procurement of such supplies or5 services directly by a governmental body would require compliance with the6 Louisiana Procurement Code. Supplies or services ancillary to the provision of7 consulting services are those supplies or services which assist the contractor in8 fulfilling the objective of his contract when the cost for such supplies and services9 is less than the cost of providing consulting services, as determined by the using10 agency.11 * * *12 §1540. Competition13 A. Every contract entered into by the state for the purchase of insurance or14 for obtaining services relating to the operation of the insurance program shall be15 awarded by either competitive sealed bidding or competitive negotiation.16 Competitive negotiation shall be initiated by the issuance of a request for proposals17 containing a description of the coverage required and the factors to be used in18 evaluating the proposals. Where there is more than one offeror, written or oral19 discussions shall be conducted with at least the three, or two if there are only two,20 highest qualified offerors who submit proposals determined in writing to be21 reasonably susceptible of being selected for award. The contract shall be awarded22 with reasonable promptness by written notice to the responsible offeror whose23 proposal meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the request for proposals and24 whose proposal is most beneficial to the state, considering the price and the25 evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposal. Public notice of the request26 for proposals shall be provided in the same manner as established in Part V of27 Chapter 1 of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes R.S. 39:1503.28 B.(1) The office of risk management, under the direction of the29 SB NO. 522 SLS 14RS-849 ORIGINAL Page 3 of 3 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. commissioner of administration, is authorized to contract for consulting services1 with one or more licensed insurance producers upon a finding by the2 commissioner that the contract is in the best interest of the state. The contract3 authorized pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection may authorize one or4 more producers to advise the office of risk management regarding the office's5 insurance programs and to directly procure insurance.6 (2) No contract executed for consulting services under the provisions of7 this Subsection shall be effective until it has been approved by the Joint8 Legislative Committee on the Budget.9 (3) The division of administration shall report annually on the savings10 achieved due to contracts entered into under this Subsection to the Joint11 Legislative Committee on the Budget.12 The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot. DIGEST Ward (SB 522) Present law, relative to procurement of consulting services contracts, provides that "consulting services" includes the procurement of supplies and services without complying with the La. Procurement Code if such services are merely ancillary to such contract. Proposed law provides that consulting services include the procurement of insurance without complying with the La. Procurement Code if such services are ancillary to such contract. Otherwise retains present law. Proposed law authorizes the office of risk management, under the direction of the commissioner of administration, to contract for consulting services with one or more licensed insurance producers if the commissioner finds that the contract is in the best interest of the state. Provides that the contract may allow one or more producers to advise the office of risk management regarding the office's insurance programs and to directly procure insurance. Proposed law provides that no contract executed under proposed law is effective until it has been approved by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget (JLCB). Proposed law requires that the division of administration report annually on the savings achieved pursuant to contracts entered into under proposed law to the JLCB. Effective August 1, 2014. (Amends R.S. 39:1484(A)(4)(b) and 1540)