78R5772 BDH-D

By:  Cook of Colorado                                             H.B. No. 3048


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to state construction projects. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 2166.2531(d), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (d) The commission shall prepare a request for qualifications that includes general information on the project site, project scope, [budget,] special systems, selection criteria, and other information that may assist potential design-build firms in submitting proposals for the project. The commission shall also prepare a design criteria package that includes more detailed information on the project. If the preparation of the design criteria package requires engineering or architectural services that constitute the practice of engineering within the meaning of The Texas Engineering Practice Act (Article 3271a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) or the practice of architecture within the meaning of Chapter 478, Acts of the 45th Legislature, Regular Session, 1937 (Article 249a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), those services shall be provided in accordance with the applicable law. SECTION 2. Sections 2166.2532(e) and (g), Government Code, are amended to read as follows: (e) The commission shall select the construction manager-at-risk in either a one-step or two-step process. The commission shall prepare a request for proposals, in the case of a one-step process, or a request for qualifications, in the case of a two-step process, that includes general information on the project site, project scope, schedule, selection criteria, [estimated budget,] and the time and place for receipt of proposals or qualifications, as applicable; a statement as to whether the selection process is a one-step or two-step process; and other information that may assist the commission in its selection of a construction manager-at-risk. The commission shall state the selection criteria in the request for proposals or qualifications, as applicable. The selection criteria may include the offeror's experience, past performance, safety record, proposed personnel and methodology, and other appropriate factors that demonstrate the capability of the construction manager-at-risk. If a one-step process is used, the commission may request, as part of the offeror's proposal, proposed fees and prices for fulfilling the general conditions. If a two-step process is used, the commission may not request fees or prices in step one. In step two, the commission may request that five or fewer offerors, selected solely on the basis of qualifications, provide additional information, including the construction manager-at-risk's proposed fee and its price for fulfilling the general conditions. (g) At each step, the commission shall receive, publicly open, and read aloud the names of the offerors. [At the appropriate step, the commission shall also read aloud the fees and prices, if any, stated in each proposal as the proposal is opened.] Within 45 days after the date of opening the proposals, the commission or its representative shall evaluate and rank each proposal submitted in relation to the criteria set forth in the request for proposals. SECTION 3. Sections 2166.2533(d) and (f), Government Code, are amended to read as follows: (d) The commission shall prepare a request for competitive sealed proposals that includes construction documents, selection criteria, [estimated budget,] project scope, schedule, and other information that contractors may require to respond to the request. The commission shall state in the request for proposals all of the selection criteria that will be used in selecting the successful offeror. (f) The commission shall receive, publicly open, and read aloud the names of the offerors [and, if any are required to be stated, all prices stated in each proposal]. Within 45 days after the date of opening the proposals, the commission shall evaluate and rank each proposal submitted in relation to the published selection criteria. SECTION 4. Subchapter F, Chapter 2166, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 2166.260 to read as follows: Sec. 2166.260. APPROVAL OF CERTAIN EXPENDITURES REQUIRED. A state agency may not spend more than the amount authorized for the cost of a project unless the governor and the Legislative Budget Board approve the expenditure. Once the cost of a project reaches the amount authorized for the project, each change to approved project plans must be approved by the governor and the Legislative Budget Board. SECTION 5. Section 2166.305(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) A committee appointed by the commission shall perform the review. The committee consists of: (1) the director of facilities construction and space management appointed under Section 2152.104, who serves [ex officio] as the presiding officer of the committee [and who votes only in case of a tie]; (2) seven individuals appointed by the commission, one each from the lists of nominees submitted respectively by the: (A) president of the Texas Society of Architects; (B) president of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers; (C) presiding officer of the Executive Council of the Texas Associated General Contractors Chapters; (D) executive secretary of the Mechanical Contractors Associations of Texas, Incorporated; (E) executive secretary of the Texas Building and Construction Trades Council; (F) president of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas; and (G) executive director of the National Association of Minority Contractors, with the list composed of persons who reside in this state; (3) one individual appointed by the commission representing an institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; (4) one individual appointed by the commission representing a state agency that has a substantial ongoing construction program; and (5) one individual appointed by the commission representing the attorney general's office. SECTION 6. Section 2166.201, Government Code, is repealed. SECTION 7. This Act applies only to a Texas Building and Procurement Commission request for competitive proposals under Chapter 2166, Government Code, as amended by this Act, on or after September 1, 2003. SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.