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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2008 > May > 30 > Entry
Combs says bill will improve county purchasing power
Just received this press release from state Rep. Courtney Combs’ office:
COLUMBUS— State Representative Courtney Combs (R- Hamilton) this week announced the Ohio House voted to approve Senate Bill 268, which authorizes a county to use competitive sealed proposals for purchases and leases of products and services instead of competitive sealed bidding when the contracting authority determines the use of competitive sealed proposals would be advantageous to the county.
“Counties, townships, and schools will now be able to streamline the purchasing process and save valuable dollars as well,” Combs said. “The bill would extend to all political subdivisions the same joint purchasing authority as counties and townships currently have.”
Sub Senate Bill 268 would permit a county contracting authority to negotiate the best price, finalize contract terms and conditions, and establish a final project plan or scope of work that is in line with industry standards. This bill would be particularly helpful in instances where the county is purchasing high technology items or complex systems where standard commercial items do not meet the needs of the county and when a detailed scope of work cannot be finalized except through negotiations between the county and the vendor.
Existing law generally requires county contracting authorities to use an “invitation to bid” or sealed competitive bidding process whenever they purchase goods or services at a price in excess of $25,000. Competitive sealed bids are firm, fixed price contracts where vendors bid on written bid specifications and where negotiations with a vendor are not allowed.
Senate Bill 268 was sponsored by Senator Bill Seitz (R- Cincinnati) and was carried in the Ohio House by Representative Courtney Combs. The bill was approved by the Ohio House and now moves back to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
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