2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 149
BY SENATOR CORTEZ
A RESOLUTION
To establish the Best Practices in Public Contracts Task Force to study best practices from
other states to determine a fair method to evaluate bids on public works contracts
based on best value instead of lowest cost, and determine best means to leverage
public/private partnerships to deliver public works projects.
WHEREAS, in Louisiana, contracts for public work exceeding the defined contract
limit, including labor and materials, to be done by a public entity shall be advertised and let
by contract to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder who bids according to the
bidding documents advertised, and no public work shall be done except as provided by law;
and
WHEREAS, award of a public contract based on lowest cost may not provide the
best value to deliver a public work project; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana law provides limited contract method alternatives to the
design-bid-build method required by Louisiana's Public Bid Law, R.S. 38:2181 et seq.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby establish the Best Practices in Public Contracts Task Force to study best
practices from other states to determine a fair method to evaluate bids on public works
contracts based on best value instead of lowest cost, and determine best means to leverage
public/private partnerships to deliver public works projects.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Best Practices in Public Contracts Task
Force shall be comprised of the following members:
(1) A representative employed by the Department of Transportation and
Development, who is an engineer with knowledge and experience in the department's
contract process, to be appointed by the secretary of the department.
(2) A representative employed by the division of administration, office of facility
planning and control, who is an engineer with knowledge and experience in the division's
contract process, to be appointed by the director of the office.
(3) A representative of the Louisiana Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
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(4) A representative of the Louisiana Chapter of the American Society of Civil
Engineers.
(5) A representative of the Louisiana Chapter of the American Council of
Engineering Companies.
(6) Two representatives of the Louisiana Chapter of the Association of General
Contractors.
(7) Two representatives of the Louisiana Chapter of the Associated Builders and
Contractors.
(8) A representative of the Louisiana School Facility Managers Association.
(9) A representative of the Louisiana Municipal Association.
(10) A representative of the Louisiana Police Jury Association.
(11) A representative of the Louisiana Ports Association.
(12) A representative of the Louisiana Airport Managers Association.
(13) A representative of the AFL-CIO.
(14) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public
Works or his designee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby urge and request that the members' organizations appoint representatives who are
involved in practice and possess a working knowledge of the public contract process.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby urge and request the director of the office of facility planning and control and the
secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development to appoint representatives
to the task force not later than July 15, 2017.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the representative of the division of
administration, office of facility planning and control, shall act as chairman of the task force
and the representative of the Department of Transportation and Development shall act as
vice chairman.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this task force shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled as members of the organizations they represent.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership shall
constitute a quorum of the task force and any official action by the task force shall require
an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the names of the members chosen or designated
by the member organizations shall be submitted to the chairman of the task force not later
than August 15, 2017, and that the chairman shall thereafter call the first meeting of the task
force not later than September 15, 2017.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall meet as necessary and shall
submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the chairman of the Senate
Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, not later than February 15,
2018.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate not later than June
4, 2018.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution shall be transmitted
to the director of the division of administration, office of facility planning and control, the
secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development, the Louisiana Chapter of
the American Institute of Architects, the Louisiana Chapter of the American Society of Civil
Engineers, the Louisiana Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies, the
Louisiana Associated General Contractors, the Louisiana Chapter of the Associated Builders
and Contractors, the Louisiana School Facility Managers Association, the Louisiana
Municipal Association, the Louisiana Police Jury Association, the Louisiana Ports
Association, and the Louisiana Airport Managers Association.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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