By: West  S.B. No. 1064
         (In the Senate - Filed March 1, 2007; March 14, 2007, read
  first time and referred to Subcommittee on Higher Education;
  April 12, 2007, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute from Committee on Education by the following vote:  
  Yeas 6, Nays 0; April 12, 2007, sent to printer.)
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1064 By:  West
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the purchasing and contracting practices of junior
  college districts; providing criminal penalties.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subsection (a), Section 44.0311, Education Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  This subchapter does not apply [applies] to junior
  college districts.
         SECTION 2.  Subdivision (2), Section 51.776, Education Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
               (2)  "Board" means the governing body of an institution
  other than the governing board of a junior college district.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter A, Chapter 130, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 130.0104, 130.0105, 130.0106, and
  130.0107 to read as follows:
         Sec. 130.0104.  POLICY AND REPORT REGARDING HISTORICALLY
  UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES. (a)  In this section, "historically
  underutilized business" has the meaning assigned by Section
  2161.001, Government Code.
         (b)  This section applies only to a junior college district
  that:
               (1)  is located wholly or partially in a county with a
  population of one million or more; and
               (2)  had an annual enrollment of 20,000 or more
  full-time or part-time students in one or more of the most recent
  five academic years.
         (c)  Each junior college district shall adopt a policy
  stating its commitment to developing, maintaining, and enhancing
  participation by historically underutilized businesses in all
  phases of the district's procurement processes in order to support,
  to the greatest extent feasible, the efforts of historically
  underutilized businesses to compete for purchases of equipment,
  supplies, services, including professional services, and
  construction contracts.
         (d)  Annually, each junior college district shall publish a
  report of the total number and total value of contracts awarded by
  the district in the preceding fiscal year and the number and total
  value of those contracts awarded to historically underutilized
  businesses. The report must be published in a newspaper of general
  circulation in the county in which the majority of the territory or
  population of the district is located not later than the 60th day
  following the last day of the district's fiscal year.
         Sec. 130.0105.  RIGHT TO WORK. (a)  This section applies to
  a junior college district while the district is engaged in:
               (1)  procuring goods or services;
               (2)  awarding a contract; or
               (3)  overseeing procurement or construction for a
  public work or public improvement.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a
  district:
               (1)  may not consider whether a vendor is a member of or
  has another relationship with an organization; and
               (2)  shall ensure that its bid specifications and any
  subsequent contract or other agreement do not deny or diminish the
  right of a person to work because of the person's membership in or
  other relationship status with respect to an organization.
         Sec. 130.0106.  CONTRACT WITH PERSON INDEBTED TO DISTRICT.  
  (a)  The board of trustees of a junior college district by
  resolution may establish rules permitting the district to refuse to
  enter into a contract or other transaction with a person indebted to
  the district.
         (b)  It is not a violation of this subchapter for a district,
  under rules adopted under Subsection (a), to refuse to award a
  contract to, or refuse to enter into a transaction with, an apparent
  low bidder or successful proposer that is indebted to the district.
         Sec. 130.0107.  EFFICIENCY AND SAVINGS. In order to
  increase efficiency of operations and to achieve savings through
  volume purchases, on an annual basis a junior college district
  shall identify common types of goods and services to be purchased
  from the district's budget and, to the extent the district
  determines practicable, consolidate the purchase of those goods or
  services under contracts entered into under this subchapter.
         SECTION 4.  Chapter 130, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapters K, L, M, and N to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER K. PURCHASING CONTRACTS FOR GOODS AND SERVICES OTHER
  THAN CONSTRUCTION OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
         Sec. 130.251.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Board of trustees" means the governing board of a
  district.
               (2)  "District" means a junior college district.
               (3)  "Purchase of goods":
                     (A)  includes:
                           (i)  contracting for the rights to use
  rather than own goods; and
                           (ii)  purchase of the materials and labor
  incidental to the delivery and installation of personal property;
  and
                     (B)  does not include the purchase or lease of
  real property.
               (4)  "Services" does not include:
                     (A)  construction services; or
                     (B)  professional services, including services of
  a consultant, to which Subchapter N applies.
         Sec. 130.2511.  USE OF TERMS "BIDDER," "VENDOR," AND "BID."  
  (a)  In this subchapter, the terms "bidder" and "vendor" are used
  interchangeably to identify an entity that responds to a request
  for competitive bids, proposals, or qualifications.
         (b)  In this subchapter, the term "bid" is used to refer to a
  competitive bid, proposal, or statement of qualifications.
         Sec. 130.252.  CONFLICT WITH OTHER LAW.  To the extent of any
  conflict, this subchapter prevails over any other law relating to
  the purchase of goods and services by a district other than a law
  relating to:
               (1)  contracting with historically underutilized
  businesses; or
               (2)  the procurement of goods and services from persons
  with disabilities.
         Sec. 130.253.  PURCHASE METHODS.  (a)  Except as otherwise
  provided by this subchapter and subject to Section 130.264, each
  contract by a district with a value of $50,000 or more that covers
  one or more fiscal years shall be made by the method, of the
  following methods, that provides the best value for the district:
               (1)  competitive sealed bids;
               (2)  competitive sealed proposals;
               (3)  the reverse auction procedure defined by Section
  2155.062(d), Government Code; or
               (4)  the formation of a political subdivision
  corporation under Section 304.001, Local Government Code.
         (b)  Only one of the methods listed in Subsection (a) may be
  used for any individual contract.  The district must determine
  which method provides the best value for the district before
  publishing the notice required by Section 130.258.
         (c)  If the district uses the competitive sealed proposal
  method, the district shall:
               (1)  reveal when the proposals are opened the names of
  the companies submitting proposals; and
               (2)  keep the contents of the proposals confidential
  until the district concludes negotiations and awards a contract.
         (d)  Without complying with Subsection (a), a district may
  purchase a good or service that is available from only one source,
  including:
               (1)  an item for which competition is precluded because
  of the existence of a patent, copyright, secret process, or
  monopoly;
               (2)  a film, recording, periodical, manuscript, book,
  or computer software;
               (3)  a utility service, including gas or water;
               (4)  a captive replacement part or component for
  equipment;
               (5)  a product needed to match or work with like
  products; and
               (6)  technical or specialized services, including
  advertising, audio/video production, and the repair and
  maintenance of specialized equipment.
         (e)  Without complying with Subsection (a), a district may
  purchase perishable goods, advertising services, meeting and
  catering services, and travel services, including airfare, ground
  transportation, and all lodging. The district shall exercise
  reasonable and prudent care to determine whether a contract with a
  provider will provide the best value to the district. The district
  shall document the process for selecting the provider of the goods
  or services and shall maintain a list of prospective providers
  contacted and the basis for selecting the provider. To the extent
  practicable, the district shall state its requirements in writing
  and require written proposals or quotations from prospective
  providers.  Any prospective provider that has provided written
  notice to the district that it is interested in being considered as
  a supplier of goods or services covered by this subsection shall be
  given the opportunity to make an offer to provide the goods or
  services. After rating and ranking the offers, the district shall
  attempt to negotiate a contract with the highest ranked vendor. If
  a contract cannot be negotiated with the highest ranked vendor, the
  next highest ranked vendor shall be contacted.  If the value of a
  purchase to be made under this subsection is estimated to be $50,000
  or greater, the district shall publish notice of the intent to
  purchase as provided under Section 130.258.  If the value of a
  purchase to be made under this subsection is estimated to be $10,000
  or more but less than $50,000 during a fiscal year, the award of a
  contract must be made in accordance with a policy established by the
  board of trustees.
         (f)  Without complying with Subsection (a), a district may
  purchase a good or service under:
               (1)  an interlocal contract under Chapter 791,
  Government Code;
               (2)  a contract established by the Texas Building and
  Procurement Commission or Department of Information Resources,
  including a contract for the purchase of travel services, telephone
  service, computers, and computer-related equipment and software;
               (3)  a catalog purchase as provided by Subchapter B,
  Chapter 2157, Government Code; or
               (4)  a purchase made under Subchapter D, F, or G,
  Chapter 271, Local Government Code.
         (g)  Contracts for services that result in no cost to the
  district or that provide income to a district must be based on bids,
  proposals, or qualifications that are solicited and awarded in the
  same manner as a contract for the purchase of goods or services.  
  Such contracts include contracts for bookstore services, food
  services, and vending services.
         Sec. 130.254.  PURCHASE OF INSURANCE.  (a)  A district may
  acquire insurance using a two-step process to obtain competitive
  sealed proposals. In the first step, the district shall determine
  which insurance providers are represented by agents interested in
  providing insurance for the district. If more than one agent
  indicates a desire to represent the same provider, the agent with
  the longest and most substantial relationship with the insurance
  provider shall be authorized to submit a proposal for the
  designated insurance provider. In the second step, the district
  shall notify the interested agents in writing as to which insurance
  providers the agents represent and request the agents to submit
  proposals for providing insurance.
         (b)  In notifying the interested agents to begin the second
  step, the district is not required to comply with Section 130.258.  
  However, the district in the request for proposals shall give the
  interested agents notice of the date, time, and place where
  proposals are to be submitted. Proposals received after the date
  and time stated in the request for proposals may not be considered.
         Sec. 130.255.  MULTIYEAR CONTRACT.  A contract that extends
  past the end of a district's fiscal year must include a provision
  that permits termination at the end of each fiscal year.  Contracts
  solely for the purchase of goods may not exceed five years in
  duration.
         Sec. 130.256.  EVALUATION AND AWARD OF CONTRACT.  
  (a)  Except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, a district
  shall award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder offering
  the best value to the district according to the selection criteria
  established by the district. The district shall publish in the
  request for bids, proposals, or qualifications the criteria the
  district will use to evaluate the offers and the relative weights
  given to the criteria that are known at the time of the publication.
         (b)  In determining the lowest responsible bidder, the
  district may consider:
               (1)  the purchase price, including delivery and
  installation charges;
               (2)  the reputation of the bidder and of the bidder's
  goods or services;
               (3)  the quality of the bidder's goods or services;
               (4)  the extent to which the offered goods or services
  meet the district's needs;
               (5)  the bidder's past relationship with the district;
               (6)  the total long-term cost to the district to
  acquire the bidder's goods or services;
               (7)  the extent to which the offers comply with the
  requirements of the request for bids, proposals, or qualifications;
               (8)  any other relevant factor specifically listed in
  the request for bids or proposals; and
               (9)  the impact on the ability of the district to comply
  with laws and rules relating to historically underutilized
  businesses.
         (c)  A district may reject any or all bids, proposals,
  qualifications, or parts of bids, proposals, or qualifications if
  the rejection serves the district's interest.
         (d)  The district shall provide all bidders with the
  opportunity to bid to provide the same goods or services on equal
  terms and to have bids judged according to the same standards as
  those set forth in the request for bids.
         (e)  Bids may be opened only by the district in a
  district-owned or district-controlled facility. The meeting or
  other occasion at which bids are opened shall be open to the public.  
  At the time the district opens a bid, if one or more members of the
  public are present, the appropriate employee or officer of the
  district shall read aloud the name of the bidder and the total bid
  amount, if the bid is of a type that should contain a single bid
  amount. When opening proposals or qualifications, the appropriate
  employee or officer shall read aloud only the name of the
  respondents and may not disclose the contents of a proposal or
  qualification on opening or during negotiations with competing
  bidders.  At least two district employees or members of the
  district's board of trustees must be present at the bid, proposal,
  or qualification opening.
         (f)  A bid that has been opened may not be changed for the
  purpose of correcting an error in the bid price.  If there is a
  discrepancy between the total price and the unit price of a bid, the
  unit price prevails.  If there is a discrepancy between the written
  price and the numerical price of a bid, the written price prevails.
         (g)  This subchapter does not change the common law right of
  a bidder to withdraw a bid due to a material mistake in the bid.
         (h)  The district shall document the basis of its selection
  and shall make its evaluations public not later than the seventh day
  after the date the contract is awarded. The district shall state in
  writing in the contract file the reasons for making an award.
         (i)  A contract awarded in violation of this subchapter is
  void.
         (j)  If district property is destroyed, stolen, severely
  damaged, or unusable, or a contractor is unable to fulfill its
  obligations in providing goods or services, and the board of
  trustees, or its designee, determines that the delay posed by using
  the methods required by Section 130.253(a) would pose a material
  threat to personal safety or potential damage to other property or
  would prevent or substantially impair the conduct of classes or
  other essential district activities, then contracts for the
  replacement or repair of the property may be made by methods other
  than those required by Section 130.253(a).
         (k)  In awarding a contract by competitive sealed bid under
  this section, a district that has its central administrative office
  located in a municipality with a population of less than 250,000 may
  consider a bidder's principal place of business in the manner
  provided by Section 271.9051, Local Government Code.  This
  subsection does not apply to the purchase of telecommunications
  services or information services, as those terms are defined by 47
  U.S.C. Section 153.
         Sec. 130.257.  RULES AND PROCEDURES; AUDITS BY STATE
  AUDITOR.  (a)  The board of trustees may adopt rules and procedures
  for the acquisition of goods or services by the district.
         (b)  The state auditor may audit purchases of goods or
  services by the district.
         Sec. 130.258.  NOTICE.  (a)  Except as otherwise provided by
  this subchapter, for any method of contracting selected under
  Section 130.253(a), the district shall, within a seven-day period,
  publish the notice required by this section in at least two issues
  of any newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the
  district's central administrative office is located.  The deadline
  for receiving bids or proposals may not be less than 10 business
  days after the date of the publication of the first newspaper
  notice. The deadline for receiving responses to a request for
  qualifications may not be less than five business days after the
  date of the publication of the last newspaper notice.  If there is
  not a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the
  district's central administrative office is located, the notice
  shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in a
  location nearest the district's central administrative office.  In
  a two-step procurement process, the time and place where the
  second-step bids, proposals, or responses will be received are not
  required to be included in the notice.
         (b)  The district may, as an alternative to publishing
  individual notices in a newspaper, publish on a publicly accessible
  Internet site the notices required by this section, provided the
  district publishes in a newspaper of general circulation at least
  one time per week the Internet address where district notices may be
  found.  Notice posted on the Internet under this subsection must be
  posted every day for at least 10 business days before the deadline
  for receiving the bids, proposals, or responses to a request for
  qualifications.
         (c)  The notice required by this section must include:
               (1)  the location where the request for bid, proposal,
  or qualification documents may be obtained or examined;
               (2)  the date, time, and place for receiving and
  opening bids, proposals, or statements of qualifications;
               (3)  a general description of the goods or services;
               (4)  the location and time of any mandatory site
  inspections or pre-bid meetings; and
               (5)  the amount of any required bid bond, payment bond,
  or performance bond.
         Sec. 130.259.  DISCUSSION AND REVISION OF PROPOSALS.  (a)   
  As provided in a request for proposals and under rules adopted by
  the district, the district may discuss acceptable or potentially
  acceptable proposals with bidders to assess a bidder's ability to
  meet the solicitation requirements.
         (b)  After receiving a proposal but before making an award,
  the district may permit the three highest-ranking bidders to revise
  their proposals, within the scope of the published specifications,
  to obtain the best final offer.
         (c)  Before an award, the district may not disclose
  information derived from proposals submitted from competing
  bidders in conducting discussions under this section.
         Sec. 130.260.  PRE-BID CONFERENCE.  (a)  The district may
  require a principal, officer, or employee of each prospective
  bidder to attend a mandatory pre-bid conference conducted for the
  purpose of discussing contract requirements and answering
  questions from prospective bidders. Notice under this subsection
  must be included in the notice published under Section 130.258.
         (b)  After the district conducts a mandatory pre-bid
  conference, the district may send any additional required notice
  for the proposed contract only to prospective bidders who attended
  or were represented at the conference.
         Sec. 130.261.  IDENTICAL BIDS.  If, after considering the
  factors described by Section 130.256, the district determines that
  the district has received identical bids, the district shall cast
  lots to determine which bidder will be awarded the contract.  The
  district shall invite the bidders to witness the selection process
  under this section.  The selection process must be conducted by at
  least two district employees or members of the district's board of
  trustees.
         Sec. 130.262.  BID DEPOSIT.  (a)  The district may, as the
  district determines necessary, require a bid deposit in an amount
  determined by the district. The amount of the deposit, if any, must
  be stated in the notice required by Section 130.258 of the
  invitation to bid.
         (b)  On the award of a contract or the rejection of all bids,
  the district shall return the bid deposit of an unsuccessful
  bidder.  The bid deposit of the successful bidder may be retained
  until the contract is signed by the district.  A bid deposit may not
  be held longer than 90 days.
         (c)  The bid deposit required by the district, if any, must
  be in the form of a cashier's check, certified check, or bid bond
  written by a surety authorized to conduct business in this state.  A
  district may elect to require a bid deposit to be in the form of a
  bid bond.
         Sec. 130.263.  PERFORMANCE BOND.  A district may require a
  contractor to provide a performance bond in the amount of the
  contract before executing a contract for the purchase of goods or
  services with a value of $100,000 or more. The bond must be written
  by a surety authorized to conduct business in this state and
  generally comply with the performance bond requirements of Chapter
  2253, Government Code.
         Sec. 130.264.  ENFORCEMENT OF PURCHASING PROCEDURES:
  CRIMINAL PENALTIES; REMOVAL; INELIGIBILITY; INJUNCTION.  (a)  In
  this section:
               (1)  "Component purchases" means purchases of the
  component parts of an item that in normal purchasing practices
  would be purchased in one purchase.
               (2)  "Separate purchases" means purchases, made
  separately, of goods or services that in normal purchasing
  practices would be purchased in one purchase.
               (3)  "Sequential purchases" means purchases, made over
  a period, of goods or services that in normal purchasing practices
  would be purchased in one purchase.
         (b)  An officer, employee, or agent of a district commits an
  offense if the person with criminal negligence makes or authorizes
  separate, sequential, or component purchases for the purpose of
  avoiding the requirements of Section 130.253, 130.256, or 130.266.
  An offense under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor and is an
  offense involving moral turpitude that results in a forfeiture of
  an officer's public office.
         (c)  An officer, employee, or agent of a district commits an
  offense if the person with criminal negligence violates Section
  130.253, 130.256, or 130.266 other than by conduct described by
  Subsection (b). An offense under this subsection is a Class B
  misdemeanor and is an offense involving moral turpitude that
  results in a forfeiture of an officer's public office.
         (d)  An officer or employee of a district commits an offense
  if the officer or employee knowingly violates Section 130.253,
  130.256, or 130.266 other than by conduct described by Subsection
  (b) or (c). An offense under this subsection is a Class C
  misdemeanor.
         (e)  The final conviction of a person other than a member of
  the board of trustees of a district for an offense under Subsection
  (b) or (c) results in the immediate removal from office or
  employment of that person. A trustee who is convicted of an offense
  under this section is subject to removal as provided by Chapter 66,
  Civil Practice and Remedies Code. For four years after the date of
  the final conviction, the removed person is ineligible to be a
  candidate for or to be appointed or elected to a public office in
  this state, is ineligible to be employed by or act as an agent for
  this state or a political subdivision of this state, and is
  ineligible to receive any compensation through a contract with this
  state or a political subdivision of this state. This subsection
  does not prohibit the payment of retirement benefits to the removed
  person or the payment of workers' compensation benefits to the
  removed person for an injury that occurred before the commission of
  the offense for which the person was removed. This subsection does
  not make a person ineligible for an office for which the federal or
  state constitution prescribes exclusive eligibility requirements.
         (f)  A court may enjoin performance of a contract made in
  violation of this subchapter. A county attorney, district
  attorney, criminal district attorney, citizen of the county in
  which the district is located, or an interested party may bring an
  action for an injunction. A party who prevails in an action brought
  under this subsection is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees as
  approved by the court.
         Sec. 130.265.  PURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND VENDOR LISTS FOR
  MISCELLANEOUS PURCHASES.  (a)  This section applies only to the
  selection and engagement of vendors from which a district may
  purchase goods or services, including produce, gasoline, and fuel
  oil, where the total cost of the goods and services is expected to
  be $50,000 or more during a fiscal year but the selling price must
  be determined at the time the need for the goods and services
  arises.
         (b)  The notice requirements of Section 130.258 apply to
  purchases made under this section, except that the notice must
  specify the categories of goods or services to be purchased under
  this section and solicit the names, addresses, and telephone
  numbers of bidders that are interested in supplying the goods or
  services to the district. The district shall create and provide a
  proposal form to be used by interested bidders.  The form must
  describe the goods or services that may be required, and the terms
  and conditions of, and method for, determining the price of the
  bidders' products and services.  Bidders desiring to be included on
  the list must complete and sign the district's form.  The district
  shall determine which bidders are qualified to be included on a list
  of bidders from which goods and services may be purchased during the
  applicable fiscal year.
         (c)  Before the district makes a purchase covered by this
  section, the district must obtain written price quotations from at
  least three bidders from the list created by the district for that
  category. If fewer than three bidders are on the list, the district
  shall contact each bidder on the list. If more than three bidders
  are on the list, the district may invite all bidders to provide a
  quotation or may select three bidders on a rotational basis each
  time a purchase is to be made.  The bidding records must be retained
  with the district's competitive bidding records and are subject to
  audit. In determining from whom to purchase the goods or services,
  the district may consider the provisions of Section 130.256.
         Sec. 130.266.  PURCHASES MADE WITHOUT ADVERTISING.  
  (a)  Except as provided under Sections 130.253(d), (f), and (g),
  and Section 130.256(j), a purchase of goods or services with a cost
  of $10,000 or more but less than $50,000 must be made by written
  competitive bids or proposals.  A minimum of three bids or proposals
  must be considered before the award of a contract or order for the
  specified goods or services.  A district is not required to
  advertise the purchase.
         (b)  In determining from whom to purchase the goods or
  services under this section, the district shall consider the
  provisions of Section 130.256.
         (c)  A person may not use the process described by this
  section to knowingly violate Section 130.264.
         Sec. 130.267.  NOTIFICATION OF CRIMINAL HISTORY OF
  CONTRACTOR.  (a)  A person or business entity that enters into a
  contract with a district must give advance notice to the district if
  the person or an owner or operator of the business entity has been
  convicted of a felony. The notice must include a general
  description of the conduct resulting in the conviction of a felony.
         (b)  A district may refuse to enter into a contract or other
  transaction with a person who has been convicted of a felony or with
  a business entity if an owner or operator of the entity has been
  convicted of a felony.
         (c)  A district may terminate a contract with a person or
  business entity if the district determines that the person or
  business entity failed to give notice as required by Subsection (a)
  or misrepresented the conduct resulting in the conviction. The
  district must compensate the person or business entity for goods
  delivered or services performed before the termination of the
  contract.
         (d)  This section does not apply to a publicly held
  corporation.
         Sec. 130.268.  PREFERENCE TO TEXAS AND UNITED STATES
  PRODUCTS. (a)  A district that purchases agricultural products
  shall give preference to those products produced, processed, or
  grown in this state if the cost to the district for those products
  is equal to or less than the cost of other products and the quality
  of those products is equal to or exceeds the quality of other
  products.
         (b)  If a district determines that agricultural products
  produced, processed, or grown in this state are not entitled to a
  preference under Subsection (a), the district shall give preference
  to agricultural products produced, processed, or grown in other
  states of the United States over foreign products if the cost to the
  district for those products is equal to or less than the cost of
  foreign products and the quality of those products is equal to or
  exceeds the quality of the foreign products.
         (c)  A district that purchases vegetation for landscaping
  purposes, including plants, shall give preference to Texas
  vegetation if the cost to the district for that vegetation is equal
  to or less than the cost of other vegetation and the quality of that
  vegetation is not inferior to the quality of other vegetation.
         (d)  In implementing this section, a district may receive
  assistance from and use the resources of the Department of
  Agriculture, including information on the availability of
  agricultural products.
         (e)  A district may not adopt product purchasing
  specifications that unnecessarily exclude agricultural products
  produced, processed, or grown in this state.
         Sec. 130.269.  EFFICIENCY AND SAVINGS. In order to increase
  efficiency of operations and to achieve savings through volume
  purchases, on an annual basis a district shall identify common
  types of goods and services to be purchased from the district's
  budget and, to the extent the district determines practicable,
  consolidate the purchase of those goods or services under contracts
  entered into under this subchapter.
  SUBCHAPTER L. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
         Sec. 130.301.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Architect" means an individual registered as an
  architect under Chapter 1051, Occupations Code.
               (2)  "Board of trustees" means the governing board of a
  district.
               (3)  "Construction" means the construction,
  rehabilitation, alteration, or repair of a facility, including all
  goods and labor incidental to the construction.
               (4)  "Contractor" in the context of a contract for the
  construction, rehabilitation, alteration, or repair of a facility
  means a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other
  legal entity that assumes the risk for constructing,
  rehabilitating, altering, or repairing all or part of the facility
  at the contracted price.
               (5)  "District" means a junior college district.
               (6)  "Engineer" means an individual licensed as a
  professional engineer under Chapter 1001, Occupations Code.
               (7)  "Facility" means real property or a public work,
  including buildings and associated systems, structures, and
  components, and improved or unimproved land.
               (8)  "Fee" in the context of a contract for the
  construction, rehabilitation, alteration, or repair of a facility
  means the payment a construction manager receives for its overhead
  and profit in performing its services.
               (9)  "General conditions" in the context of a contract
  for the construction, rehabilitation, alteration, or repair of a
  facility means on-site management, administrative personnel,
  insurance, bonds, equipment, utilities, and incidental work,
  including minor field labor and materials.
         Sec. 130.302.  USE OF TERMS "BIDDER," "OFFEROR," "VENDOR," 
  AND "BID."  (a)  In this subchapter, the terms "bidder," "offeror," 
  and "vendor" are used interchangeably to identify an entity that
  responds to a request for competitive bids or proposals, or for
  offers or qualifications.
         (b)  In this subchapter, the term "bid" is used to refer to a
  competitive bid or proposal or to a statement of qualifications.
         Sec. 130.303.  METHODS OF CONTRACTING.  (a)  Except as
  otherwise provided by this subchapter and subject to Section
  130.313, all contracts for construction, rehabilitation,
  alteration, or repair of facilities valued at $50,000 or more shall
  be made by the method, of the following methods, that provides the
  best value for the district:
               (1)  competitive sealed bids;
               (2)  competitive sealed proposals;
               (3)  a design-build contract;
               (4)  a construction manager-at-risk; or
               (5)  a job order contract for the minor construction,
  repair, rehabilitation, or alteration of a facility.
         (b)  Only one of the methods listed in Subsection (a) may be
  used for any individual contract.  A district must determine which
  method provides the best value for the district before providing
  the notice required by Section 130.306.
         (c)  If the district uses the competitive sealed proposal
  method, the district shall:
               (1)  reveal when the proposals are opened the names of
  the companies submitting proposals; and
               (2)  keep the contents of the proposals confidential
  until the district concludes negotiations and awards a contract.
         (d)  A district may contract for the services of a
  construction manager-agent as provided by Section 130.318 in
  conjunction with the method of construction selected under
  Subsection (a).
         Sec. 130.304.  EVALUATION AND AWARD OF CONTRACT.  
  (a)  Except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, a district
  shall award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder offering
  the best value to the district according to the selection criteria
  established by the district. The district shall publish in the
  request for bids, proposals, or qualifications the criteria the
  district will use to evaluate the offers and the relative weights
  given to the criteria that are known at the time of the publication.
         (b)  In determining the lowest responsible bidder, the
  district may consider:
               (1)  the immediate and long-term cost of the service;
               (2)  the reputation of the bidder;
               (3)  the quality of the bidder's services;
               (4)  the extent to which the offered services meet the
  district's needs;
               (5)  the bidder's past relationship with the district;
               (6)  the extent to which the offers comply with the
  requirements of the request for bids, proposals, or qualifications;
               (7)  any other relevant factor specifically listed in
  the request for bids or proposals;
               (8)  the impact on the ability of the district to comply
  with laws and rules relating to historically underutilized
  businesses; and
               (9)  the bidder's safety record, if:
                     (A)  the district has adopted a written definition
  and criteria for accurately determining the safety record of a
  bidder;
                     (B)  the district has given notice to prospective
  bidders in the request for bids that the safety record of a bidder
  may be considered in determining the responsibility of the bidder;
  and
                     (C)  the district's determinations are not
  arbitrary and capricious.
         (c)  A district may reject any or all bids, proposals,
  qualifications, or parts of bids, proposals, or qualifications if
  the rejection serves the district's interest.
         (d)  The district shall provide all bidders with the
  opportunity to submit a bid or proposal to provide the same items or
  services on equal terms and have bids judged according to the same
  standards as those set forth in the request for bids.
         (e)  Bids may be opened only by the district in a
  district-owned or district-controlled facility. The meeting or
  other occasion at which bids are opened must be open to the public.  
  At the time the district opens a bid, if one or more members of the
  public are present, the appropriate employee or officer of the
  district shall read aloud the name of the bidder and the total bid
  amount if the bid is of a type that should contain a single bid
  amount. At least two district employees or members of the board of
  trustees must be present at the bid opening. When opening proposals
  or qualifications, the appropriate employee or officer shall read
  aloud only the names of the respondents and may not disclose the
  contents of a proposal or qualification on opening the proposal or
  qualification or during negotiations with competing bidders.
         (f)  A bid that has been opened may not be changed for the
  purpose of correcting an error in the bid price.
         (g)  This subchapter does not change the common law right of
  a bidder to withdraw a bid due to a material mistake in the bid.
         (h)  The district shall document the basis of its selection
  and shall make its evaluations public not later than the seventh day
  after the date the contract is awarded. The district shall state in
  writing in the contract file the reasons for making an award.
         (i)  A contract awarded in violation of this subchapter is
  void.
         (j)  If district property is destroyed, stolen, severely
  damaged, unusable, or undergoes major operational or structural
  failure, or a contractor is unable to fulfill its obligations in
  providing goods or services, and the board of trustees, or its
  designee, determines that the delay posed by using the methods
  required by Section 130.303(a) would pose a material threat to
  personal safety or potential damage to other property or would
  prevent or substantially impair the conduct of classes or other
  essential district activities, then contracts for the replacement
  or repair of the property may be made by methods other than those
  required by Section 130.303(a).
         (k)  In awarding a contract by competitive sealed bid under
  this section, a district that has its central administrative office
  located in a municipality with a population of less than 250,000 may
  consider a bidder's principal place of business in the manner
  provided by Section 271.9051, Local Government Code.  This
  subsection does not apply to the purchase of telecommunications
  services or information services, as those terms are defined by 47
  U.S.C. Section 153.
         Sec. 130.305.  RULES AND PROCEDURES; AUDITS BY STATE
  AUDITOR.  (a)  The board of trustees may adopt rules and procedures
  for the acquisition of construction services by the district.
         (b)  The state auditor may audit district construction
  contracts.
         Sec. 130.306.  NOTICE.  (a)  Except as otherwise provided by
  this subchapter, for any method of contracting selected under
  Section 130.303(a), the district shall, within a seven-day period,
  publish the notice required by this section in at least two issues
  of any newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the
  district's central administrative office is located.  The deadline
  for receiving bids, proposals, or responses to a request for
  qualifications may not be less than 10 business days after the date
  of the publication of the first newspaper notice. If there is not a
  newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the
  district's central administrative office is located, the notice
  shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in a
  location nearest the district's central administrative office.  In
  a two-step procurement process, the time and place where the
  second-step bids, proposals, or responses will be received are not
  required to be included in the notice.
         (b)  The district may, as an alternative to publishing
  individual notices in a newspaper, publish on a publicly accessible
  Internet site the notices required by this section, provided the
  district publishes in a newspaper of general circulation at least
  one time per week the Internet address where district notices may be
  found.  Notice posted on the Internet under this subsection must be
  posted every day for at least 10 business days before the deadline
  for receiving bids, proposals, or responses to a request for
  qualifications.
         (c)  The notice required by this section must include:
               (1)  the location where the request for bid, proposal,
  or qualification documents may be obtained or examined;
               (2)  the date, time, and place for receiving and
  opening bids, proposals, or statements of qualifications;
               (3)  a general description of the work to be performed;
               (4)  the location and time of any mandatory site
  inspections or pre-bid meetings; and
               (5)  the amount of any required bid bond, payment bond,
  or performance bond.
         Sec. 130.307.  DISCUSSION AND REVISION OF PROPOSALS.  
  (a)  After receipt of proposals, under rules adopted by the
  district, the district may discuss acceptable or potentially
  acceptable proposals with bidders to assess a bidder's ability to
  meet the solicitation requirements.
         (b)  After receiving a proposal but before making an award,
  the district may permit the three highest-ranking bidders to revise
  their proposals, within the scope of the published specifications,
  to obtain the best final offer.
         (c)  Before an award, the district may not disclose
  information derived from proposals submitted from competing
  bidders in conducting discussions under this section.
         Sec. 130.308.  PRE-BID CONFERENCE.  (a)  The district may
  require a principal, officer, or employee of each prospective
  bidder to attend a mandatory pre-bid conference conducted for the
  purpose of discussing contract requirements and answering
  questions from prospective bidders. Notice under this subsection
  must be included in the notice published under Section 130.306.
         (b)  After the district conducts a mandatory pre-bid
  conference, the district may send any additional required notice
  for the proposed contract only to prospective bidders who attended
  the conference.
         Sec. 130.309.  IDENTICAL BIDS.  If, after considering the
  factors described by Section 130.304, the district determines that
  the district has received identical bids, the district shall cast
  lots to determine which bidder will be awarded the contract.  The
  district shall invite the bidders to witness the selection process
  under this section.  The selection process must be conducted by at
  least two district employees or members of the district's board of
  trustees.
         Sec. 130.310.  BID DEPOSIT.  (a)  The district may, as the
  district determines necessary, require a bid deposit in an amount
  determined by the district. The amount of the deposit, if any, must
  be stated in the notice required by Section 130.306 of the
  invitation to bid.
         (b)  Within 10 days from the date of the award of a contract
  or the rejection of all bids, the district shall refund the bid
  deposit of an unsuccessful bidder.  The bid bonds may not be held
  for more than 90 days.  Before the award of a contract, the district
  may return bid bonds of bidders that are not being considered for
  award of a contract.
         (c)  For public work contracts, the bid deposit required by
  the district, if any, may only be in the form of a bid bond written
  by a surety authorized to conduct business in this state.
         Sec. 130.311.  PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS.  For a
  contract for construction, the contractor must execute a good and
  sufficient payment bond and a performance bond in accordance with
  Chapter 2253, Government Code.
         Sec. 130.312.  DELEGATION.  (a)  Except as provided by
  Subsection (b), the board of trustees of a district may, as
  appropriate, delegate its authority under this subchapter to a
  designated person, representative, or committee. In procuring
  construction services, the district shall provide notice of the
  delegation and the limits of the delegation in the request for bids,
  proposals, or qualifications or in an addendum to the request. If
  the district fails to provide that notice, a ranking, selection, or
  evaluation of bids, proposals, or qualifications for construction
  services other than by the board of trustees in an open public
  meeting is advisory only.
         (b)  The board may not delegate the authority to act
  regarding an action specifically authorized or required by this
  subchapter to be taken by the board of trustees of a district.
         Sec. 130.313.  ENFORCEMENT OF CONTRACT SOLICITATION
  PROCEDURES: CRIMINAL PENALTIES; REMOVAL; INELIGIBILITY;
  INJUNCTION.  (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Component procurements" means procuring the
  component parts of an item or service that in normal practice would
  be made in one procurement.
               (2)  "Separate procurements" means procurements, made
  separately, of goods or services that in normal practice would be
  made in one procurement.
               (3)  "Sequential procurement" means procurements, made
  over a period, of goods or services that in normal practice would be
  made in one procurement.
         (b)  An officer, employee, or agent of a district commits an
  offense if the person with criminal negligence makes or authorizes
  separate, sequential, or component procurements for the purpose of
  avoiding the requirements of Section 130.303 or 130.304. An
  offense under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor and is an
  offense involving moral turpitude that results in a forfeiture of
  an officer's public office.
         (c)  An officer, employee, or agent of a district commits an
  offense if the person with criminal negligence violates Section
  130.303, 130.304, or 130.315 other than by conduct described by
  Subsection (b). An offense under this subsection is a Class B
  misdemeanor and is an offense involving moral turpitude that
  results in a forfeiture of an officer's public office.
         (d)  An officer or employee of a district commits an offense
  if the officer or employee knowingly violates Section 130.303,
  130.304, or 130.315 other than by conduct described by Subsection
  (b) or (c). An offense under this subsection is a Class C
  misdemeanor.
         (e)  The final conviction of a person other than a member of
  the board of trustees of a district for an offense under Subsection
  (b) or (c) results in the immediate removal from office or
  employment of that person. A member of the board of trustees who is
  convicted of an offense under this section is subject to removal as
  provided by Chapter 66, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. For four
  years after the date of the final conviction, the removed person is
  ineligible to be a candidate for or to be appointed or elected to a
  public office in this state, is ineligible to be employed by or act
  as an agent for this state or a political subdivision of this state,
  and is ineligible to receive any compensation through a contract
  with this state or a political subdivision of this state. This
  subsection does not prohibit the payment of retirement benefits to
  the removed person or the payment of workers' compensation benefits
  to the removed person for an injury that occurred before the
  commission of the offense for which the person was removed. This
  subsection does not make a person ineligible for an office for which
  the federal or state constitution prescribes exclusive eligibility
  requirements.
         (f)  A court may enjoin performance of a contract made in
  violation of this subchapter. A county attorney, district
  attorney, criminal district attorney, citizen of the county in
  which the district is located, or an interested party may bring an
  action for an injunction. A party who prevails in an action brought
  under this subsection is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees as
  approved by the court.
         Sec. 130.314.  NOTIFICATION OF CRIMINAL HISTORY OF
  CONTRACTOR.  (a)  A person or business entity that enters into a
  contract with a district must give advance notice to the district if
  the person or an owner or operator of the business entity has been
  convicted of a felony. The notice must include a general
  description of the conduct resulting in the conviction of a felony.
         (b)  A district may refuse to enter into a contract or other
  transaction with a person who has been convicted of a felony or with
  a business entity if an owner or operator of the entity has been
  convicted of a felony.
         (c)  A district may terminate a contract with a person or
  business entity if the district determines that the person or
  business entity failed to give notice as required by Subsection (a)
  or misrepresented the conduct resulting in the conviction. The
  district must compensate the person or business entity for goods
  delivered or services performed before the termination of the
  contract.
         (d)  This section does not apply to a publicly held
  corporation.
         Sec. 130.315.  CHANGE ORDERS.  (a)  After performance of a
  construction contract begins, a district may approve change orders
  if necessary to:
               (1)  make changes in plans or specifications; or
               (2)  decrease or increase the quantity of work to be
  performed or materials, equipment, or supplies to be furnished.
         (b)  The total price of a contract may not be increased by a
  change order unless provision has been made for the payment of the
  added cost by the appropriation of current funds or bond funds for
  that purpose, by the authorization of the issuance of certificates,
  or by a combination of those procedures. The original contract
  price may not be increased by more than 25 percent unless the board
  of trustees determines the change is due to causes beyond the
  reasonable control of the district or contractor.
         (c)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) or Section
  130.304(j), a person, including a member of the board of trustees,
  who knowingly authorizes one or more change orders that, in the
  aggregate, exceed 25 percent of the original contract price, is
  subject to Section 130.313.
         Sec. 130.316.  ERRORS  AND OMISSIONS INSURANCE.  For any
  public work contract awarded under this subchapter, to protect the
  interest of the district, the architect or engineer that prepared
  the plans and specifications for the public work shall, at the
  architect's or engineer's expense, carry an errors and omissions
  insurance policy in an amount not less than $1 million or the value
  of the work if the work has a value of less than $1 million.
         Sec. 130.317.  DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACTS FOR FACILITIES.  
  (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Design-build contract" means a single contract
  with a design-build firm for the design and construction of a
  facility.
               (2)  "Design-build firm" means a partnership,
  corporation, or other legal entity or team that includes an
  engineer or architect and a builder qualified to engage in building
  construction in this state.
               (3)  "Design criteria package" means a set of documents
  that provides sufficient information, including criteria for
  selection, to permit a design-build firm to prepare a response to a
  district's request for qualifications and to the district's request
  for any additional information. The design criteria package must
  specify criteria the district considers necessary to describe the
  project and may include, as appropriate, the legal description of
  the site, survey information concerning the site, interior space
  requirements, special material requirements, material quality
  standards, conceptual criteria for the project, special equipment
  requirements, cost or budget estimates, time schedules, quality
  assurance and quality control requirements, site development
  requirements, applicable codes and ordinances, provisions for
  utilities, parking requirements, or any other requirement, as
  applicable.
         (b)  A district may use the design-build method for the
  construction, rehabilitation, alteration, or repair of a facility.
  In using that method and in entering into a contract for the
  services of a design-build firm, the contracting district and the
  design-build firm shall follow the procedures provided by
  Subsections (c)-(j).
         (c)  The district may designate an engineer or architect to
  act as its representative. If the district's engineer or architect
  is not a full-time employee of the district, any engineer or
  architect designated shall be selected on the basis of demonstrated
  competence and qualifications in accordance with Subchapter A,
  Chapter 2254, Government Code.
         (d)  The district 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 district 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
  Chapter 1001, Occupations Code, or the practice of architecture
  within the meaning of Chapter 1051, Occupations Code, those
  services shall be provided in accordance with the applicable law.
         (e)  The district shall evaluate statements of
  qualifications and select a design-build firm in two phases:
               (1)  In phase one, the district shall prepare a request
  for qualifications and evaluate each offeror's experience,
  technical competence, and capability to perform, the past
  performance of the offeror's team and members of the team, and other
  appropriate factors submitted by the team or firm in response to the
  request for qualifications, except that cost-related or
  price-related evaluation factors are not permitted. Each offeror
  must certify to the district that each engineer or architect who is
  a member of its team was selected based on demonstrated competence
  and qualifications. The district shall qualify a maximum of five
  offerors to submit additional information and, if the district
  chooses, to interview for final selection.
               (2)  In phase two, the district shall evaluate the
  information submitted by the offerors on the basis of the selection
  criteria stated in the request for qualifications and the results
  of any interview. The district may request additional information
  regarding demonstrated competence and qualifications,
  considerations of the safety and long-term durability of the
  project, the feasibility of implementing the project as proposed,
  the ability of the offeror to meet schedules, costing methodology,
  or other factors as appropriate. The district may not require
  offerors to submit detailed engineering or architectural designs as
  part of the proposal. The district shall rank each proposal
  submitted on the basis of the criteria set forth in the request for
  qualifications. The district shall select the design-build firm
  that submits the proposal offering the best value for the district
  on the basis of the published selection criteria and on its ranking
  evaluations. The district shall first attempt to negotiate a
  contract with the selected offeror. If the district is unable to
  negotiate a satisfactory contract with the selected offeror, the
  district shall, formally and in writing, end negotiations with that
  offeror and proceed to negotiate with the next offeror in the order
  of the selection ranking until a contract is reached or
  negotiations with all ranked offerors end.
         (f)  Following selection of a design-build firm under
  Subsection (e), that firm's engineers or architects shall complete
  the design, submitting all design elements for review and
  determination of scope compliance to the district or to the
  district's engineer or architect before or concurrently with
  construction.
         (g)  An engineer shall have responsibility for compliance
  with the engineering design requirements and all other applicable
  requirements of Chapter 1001, Occupations Code. An architect shall
  have responsibility for compliance with the requirements of Chapter
  1051, Occupations Code.
         (h)  The district shall provide or contract for,
  independently of the design-build firm, the inspection services,
  testing of construction materials engineering, and verification
  testing services necessary for acceptance of the facility by the
  district. The district shall select those services for which it
  contracts in accordance with Section 2254.004, Government Code.
         (i)  The design-build firm shall supply a signed and sealed
  set of construction documents for the project to the district at the
  conclusion of construction.
         (j)  A payment or performance bond is not required for, and
  may not provide coverage for, the portion of a design-build
  contract under this section that includes design services only. If
  a fixed contract amount or guaranteed maximum price has not been
  determined at the time a design-build contract is awarded, the
  penal sums of the performance and payment bonds delivered to the
  district must each be in an amount equal to the project budget, as
  specified in the design criteria package. The design-build firm
  shall deliver the bonds not later than the 10th day after the date
  the design-build firm executes the contract unless the design-build
  firm furnishes a bid bond or other financial security acceptable to
  the district to ensure that the design-build firm will furnish the
  required performance and payment bonds when a guaranteed maximum
  price is established.
         Sec. 130.318.  CONTRACTS FOR FACILITIES: CONSTRUCTION
  MANAGER-AGENT.  (a)  A district may contract with a construction
  manager-agent in conjunction with a contract for the construction,
  rehabilitation, alteration, or repair of a facility. In entering
  into a contract for the services of a construction manager-agent, a
  district shall follow the procedures prescribed by this section.
         (b)  A construction manager-agent is a sole proprietorship,
  partnership, corporation, or other legal entity that provides
  consultation to the district regarding construction,
  rehabilitation, alteration, or repair of a facility. A district
  using the services of a construction manager-agent may, under the
  contract between the district and the construction manager-agent,
  require the construction manager-agent to provide administrative
  personnel, equipment necessary to perform duties under this
  section, and on-site management and other services specified in the
  contract. A construction manager-agent represents the district in
  a fiduciary capacity.
         (c)  Before or concurrently with selecting a construction
  manager-agent, the district shall select or designate an engineer
  or architect who shall prepare the construction documents for the
  project and who has full responsibility for complying with Chapter
  1001 or 1051, Occupations Code, as applicable. If the engineer or
  architect is not a full-time employee of the district, the district
  shall select the engineer or architect on the basis of demonstrated
  competence and qualifications as provided by Section 2254.004,
  Government Code. The district's engineer or architect may not
  serve, alone or in combination with another person, as the
  construction manager-agent unless the engineer or architect is
  hired to serve as the construction manager-agent under a separate
  or concurrent procurement conducted in accordance with this
  subchapter. This subsection does not prohibit the district's
  engineer or architect from providing customary construction phase
  services under the engineer's or architect's original professional
  service agreement with the district and in accordance with
  applicable licensing laws.
         (d)  A district shall select a construction manager-agent on
  the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications in the same
  manner as provided for the selection of engineers or architects
  under Section 2254.004, Government Code.
         (e)  A district using the services of a construction
  manager-agent shall procure, in accordance with applicable law and
  in any manner authorized by this chapter, a general contractor,
  trade contractors, or subcontractors who will serve as the prime
  contractor for their specific portion of the work.
         (f)  The district or the construction manager-agent shall
  procure in accordance with Section 2254.004, Government Code, all
  of the testing of construction materials engineering, the
  inspection services, and the verification testing services
  necessary for acceptance of the facility by the district.
         Sec. 130.319.  CONTRACTS FOR FACILITIES:  CONSTRUCTION
  MANAGER-AT-RISK.  (a)  A district may use the construction
  manager-at-risk method for the construction, rehabilitation,
  alteration, or repair of a facility. In using that method and in
  entering into a contract for the services of a construction
  manager-at-risk, a district shall follow the procedures prescribed
  by this section.
         (b)  A construction manager-at-risk is a sole
  proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity
  that assumes the risk for construction, rehabilitation,
  alteration, or repair of a facility at the contracted price as a
  general contractor and provides consultation to the district
  regarding construction during and after the design of the facility.
         (c)  Before or concurrently with selecting a construction
  manager-at-risk, the district shall select or designate an engineer
  or architect who shall prepare the construction documents for the
  project and who has full responsibility for complying with Chapter
  1001 or 1051, Occupations Code, as applicable. If the engineer or
  architect is not a full-time employee of the district, the district
  shall select the engineer or architect on the basis of demonstrated
  competence and qualifications as provided by Section 2254.004,
  Government Code. The district's engineer, architect, or
  construction manager-agent for a project may not serve, alone or in
  combination with another, as the construction manager-at-risk.
         (d)  The district shall provide or contract for,
  independently of the construction manager-at-risk, the inspection
  services, testing of construction materials engineering, and
  verification testing services necessary for acceptance of the
  facility by the district. The district shall select those services
  for which it contracts in accordance with Section 2254.004,
  Government Code.
         (e)  The district shall select the construction
  manager-at-risk in either a one-step or two-step process. The
  district shall prepare a request for competitive sealed 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, the time and place for receipt of, as
  applicable, proposals or qualifications, a statement as to whether
  the selection process is a one-step or two-step process, and other
  information that may assist the district in its selection of a
  construction manager-at-risk. The district 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 district 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 district may not
  request fees or prices in step one. In step two, the district 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.
         (f)  At each step, the district shall receive, publicly open,
  and read aloud the names of the offerors. Within 45 days after the
  date of opening the proposals, the district shall evaluate and rank
  each proposal submitted in relation to the criteria set forth in the
  request for proposals.  Within seven days from the date of the award
  of the contract, the district shall make public all proposals,
  including the fees and prices stated in each proposal.
         (g)  The district shall select the offeror that submits the
  proposal that offers the best value for the district based on the
  published selection criteria and on its ranking evaluation. The
  district shall first attempt to negotiate a contract with the
  selected offeror. If the district is unable to negotiate a
  satisfactory contract with the selected offeror, the district
  shall, formally and in writing, end negotiations with that offeror
  and proceed to negotiate with the next offeror in the order of the
  selection ranking until a contract is reached or negotiations with
  all ranked offerors end.
         (h)  A construction manager-at-risk shall publicize notice,
  in accordance with Section 130.306, and receive bids or proposals
  from trade contractors or subcontractors for the performance of all
  major elements of the work other than the minor work that may be
  included in the general conditions. A construction manager-at-risk
  may seek to perform portions of the work itself if the construction
  manager-at-risk submits its bid or proposal for those portions of
  the work in the same manner as all other trade contractors or
  subcontractors and if the district determines that the construction
  manager-at-risk's bid or proposal provides the best value for the
  district.
         (i)  The construction manager-at-risk and the district or
  its representative shall review all trade contractor or
  subcontractor bids or proposals in a manner that does not disclose
  the contents of the bid or proposal during the selection process to
  a person not employed by the construction manager-at-risk,
  engineer, architect, or district. All bids or proposals shall be
  made public after the award of the contract or within seven days
  after the date of final selection of bids or proposals, whichever is
  later.
         (j)  If the construction manager-at-risk reviews, evaluates,
  and recommends to the district a bid or proposal from a trade
  contractor or subcontractor but the district requires another bid
  or proposal to be accepted, the district shall compensate the
  construction manager-at-risk by a change in price, time, or
  guaranteed maximum cost for any additional cost and risk that the
  construction manager-at-risk may incur because of the district's
  requirement that another bid or proposal be accepted.
         (k)  If a selected trade contractor or subcontractor
  defaults in the performance of its work or fails to execute a
  subcontract after being selected in accordance with this section,
  the construction manager-at-risk may, without advertising, fulfill
  the contract requirements or select a replacement trade contractor
  or subcontractor to fulfill the contract requirements.
         (l)  If a fixed contract amount or guaranteed maximum price
  has not been determined at the time the contract is awarded, the
  penal sums of the performance and payment bonds delivered to the
  district must each be in an amount equal to the project budget, as
  specified in the request for qualifications. The construction
  manager-at-risk shall deliver the bonds not later than the 10th day
  after the date the construction manager-at-risk executes the
  contract unless the construction manager-at-risk furnishes a bid
  bond acceptable to the district to ensure that the construction
  manager will furnish the required performance and payment bonds
  when a guaranteed maximum price is established.
         Sec. 130.320.  SELECTING CONTRACTOR FOR CONSTRUCTION
  SERVICES THROUGH COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSALS.  (a)  In selecting a
  contractor for construction, rehabilitation, alteration, or repair
  services for a facility through competitive sealed proposals, a
  district shall follow the procedures prescribed by this section.
         (b)  The district shall select or designate an engineer or
  architect to prepare construction documents for the project. The
  selected or designated engineer or architect has full
  responsibility for complying with Chapter 1001 or 1051, Occupations
  Code, as applicable. If the engineer or architect is not a
  full-time employee of the district, the district shall select the
  engineer or architect on the basis of demonstrated competence and
  qualifications as provided by Section 2254.004, Government Code.
         (c)  The district shall provide or contract for,
  independently of the contractor, the inspection services, testing
  of construction materials engineering, and verification testing
  services necessary for acceptance of the facility by the district.
  The district shall select those services for which it contracts in
  accordance with Section 2254.004, Government Code, and shall
  identify them in the request for proposals.
         (d)  The district 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.
         (e)  The district shall receive, publicly open, and read
  aloud the names of the offerors. Within 45 days after the date of
  opening the proposals, the district shall evaluate and rank each
  proposal submitted in relation to the published selection criteria.
         (f)  The district shall first attempt to negotiate a contract
  with the highest-ranked offeror. The district and its engineer or
  architect may discuss with the selected offeror options for a scope
  or time modification and any price change associated with the
  modification. If the district is unable to negotiate a contract
  with the selected offeror, the district shall, formally and in
  writing, end negotiations with that offeror and proceed to the next
  offeror in the order of the selection ranking until a contract is
  reached or all proposals are rejected.
         Sec. 130.321.  SELECTING CONTRACTOR FOR CONSTRUCTION
  SERVICES THROUGH COMPETITIVE BIDDING.  Except to the extent
  prohibited by other law and to the extent consistent with this
  subchapter, a district may use competitive bidding to select a
  contractor to perform construction, rehabilitation, alteration, or
  repair services for a facility.
         Sec. 130.322.  JOB ORDER CONTRACTS FOR FACILITIES
  CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR.  (a)  A district may award job order
  contracts for the minor construction, repair, rehabilitation, or
  alteration of a facility if the work is of a recurring nature but
  the delivery times are indefinite and indefinite quantities and
  orders are awarded substantially on the basis of predescribed and
  prepriced tasks.
         (b)  The district may establish contractual unit prices for a
  job order contract by:
               (1)  specifying one or more published construction unit
  price books and the applicable divisions or line items; or
               (2)  providing a list of work items and requiring the
  offerors to bid or propose one or more coefficients or multipliers
  to be applied to the price book or work items as the price proposal.
         (c)  The district shall advertise for, receive, and publicly
  open sealed proposals for job order contracts.
         (d)  The district may require offerors to submit additional
  information besides rates, including experience, past performance,
  and proposed personnel and methodology.
         (e)  The district may award job order contracts to one or
  more job order contractors in connection with each solicitation of
  bids or proposals.
         (f)  An order for a job or project under the job order
  contract must be signed by the district's representative and the
  contractor. The order may be a fixed price, lump-sum contract based
  substantially on contractual unit pricing applied to estimated
  quantities or may be a unit price order based on the quantities and
  line items delivered.
         (g)  The contractor shall provide payment and performance
  bonds, if required by law, based on the amount or estimated amount
  of any order.
         (h)  The base term of a job order contract is for the period
  and with any renewal option that the district sets forth in the
  request for proposals. If the district fails to advertise that
  term, the base term may not exceed two years and is not renewable
  without further advertisement and solicitation of proposals.
         (i)  If a job order contract or an order issued under the
  contract requires engineering or architectural services that
  constitute the practice of engineering within the meaning of
  Chapter 1001, Occupations Code, or the practice of architecture
  within the meaning of Chapter 1051, Occupations Code, those
  services shall be provided in accordance with applicable law.
         Sec. 130.323.  CONTRACTS MADE WITHOUT ADVERTISING.
  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (d) and Section 130.304(j), a
  contract for construction with a cost of $10,000 or more but less
  than $50,000, including contingency or reserve amounts, must be
  made through written competitive bids or proposals. A minimum of
  three bids or proposals must be considered before awarding a
  contract. A district is not required to advertise the contract.
         (b)  In determining to whom to award a contract under this
  section, the district shall consider the factors described by
  Section 130.304(b).
         (c)  A person may not use this section to knowingly violate
  Section 130.313.
         (d)  A contract is not required to be made through
  competitive bids or proposals under this section if the contract is
  for the repair or replacement of a captive replacement part or
  component for equipment or a specialized service that is available
  from only one source.
  SUBCHAPTER M.  DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS PERSONAL PROPERTY BY DISTRICT
         Sec. 130.351.  SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY BY DISTRICT.  A
  district shall dispose of surplus personal property in an
  accountable manner that best serves the interest of the district.  A
  sale of personal property that is not covered by Chapter 791,
  Government Code, must be solicited and awarded in the same manner as
  a contract for the purchase of goods or services under Subchapter K.
         Sec. 130.352.  METHODS OF DISPOSAL. (a)  A junior college
  district may use any of the following methods to dispose of surplus
  personal property:
               (1)  the use of a licensed auctioneer to conduct live or
  Internet-based auctions;
               (2)  a direct sale by the district to a person
  submitting the highest and best bid through a competitive process,
  including an Internet-based bidding system;
               (3)  the trade-in of items when purchasing new items;
               (4)  a sale or transfer to another governmental entity
  at a mutually agreed price; or
               (5)  a donation to a public school in this state.
         (b)  If the district is unable to find a buyer for surplus
  property, the property may be:
               (1)  discarded in accordance with applicable federal,
  state, and local laws, ordinances, and rules; or
               (2)  removed by an interested party at no charge or for
  a nominal charge.
         (c)  Except as provided by this section, a district may not
  give, donate, loan, or transfer surplus property to any person or
  entity.
  SUBCHAPTER N. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND CONSULTANT SERVICES
         Sec. 130.401.  PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.  (a)  For purposes of
  this section, "professional services provider" means a person who
  provides services of a predominantly mental or intellectual matter
  and who is a member of a discipline requiring special knowledge or
  the attainment of a high order of learning, skill, or intelligence.  
  The term includes a person who provides professional services, as
  defined by Section 2254.002, Government Code.
         (b)  A junior college district shall select and enter into
  contracts for professional services in accordance with Subchapter
  A, Chapter 2254, Government Code. If the estimated value of a
  contract for professional services is $50,000 or more during a
  fiscal year, or during the contract's term if the contract is a
  multiple year contract, the district shall publish notice of the
  request for qualifications as provided by Section 130.258.
         (c)  If the estimated value of a contract for professional
  services is $10,000 or more but less than $50,000 during a fiscal
  year or during the contract's term if the contract is a multiple
  year contract, requests for qualifications must be solicited from
  at least three professional services providers and the publication
  of notice is not required.
         (d)  A professional services provider selected by the
  district may be selected for a specific project or for various
  projects that arise during the term of the provider's contract.  The
  term of a contract with a professional services provider may not
  exceed five years, except that the professional services provider
  shall complete services for projects started before the end of the
  contract term.
         Sec. 130.402.  CONSULTANTS. (a)  For purposes of this
  section, "consultant" includes a financial advisor, fiscal agent,
  auctioneer, personnel services provider, travel agent, technology
  or educational services provider or advisor, and a business engaged
  to teach approved courses.
         (b)  A junior college district shall select and enter into
  contracts with consultants in accordance with Section 130.253 or
  Subchapter B, Chapter 2254, Government Code. If the estimated
  value of a contract for consulting services is $50,000 or more
  during a fiscal year, or during the contract's term if the contract
  is a multiple year contract, the district shall advertise the
  request for qualifications, bids, or proposals as provided by
  Section 130.258.
         (c)  If the estimated value of a contract for consulting
  services is $10,000 or more but less than $50,000 during a fiscal
  year or during the contract's term if the contract is a multiple
  year contract, requests for qualifications, bids, or proposals must
  be solicited from at least three consulting service providers and
  the publication of notice is not required.
         (d)  A consulting service provider selected by the district
  may be selected for a specific project or for various projects that
  arise during the term of the consultant's contract. The term of a
  contract with a consulting service provider may not exceed five
  years, except that the consulting service provider shall complete
  services for projects started before the end of the contract term.
         Sec. 130.403.  RULES AND PROCEDURES; AUDITS BY STATE
  AUDITOR. (a)  The board of trustees of the junior college district
  may adopt rules and procedures for the acquisition of professional
  services and consultants by the district.
         (b)  The state auditor may audit a district's contracts for
  professional services or consultants.
         SECTION 5.  Section 271.023, Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 271.023.  CONFLICT OF LAWS. To the extent of any
  conflict, the provisions of Subchapter B, Chapter 44, Education
  Code, relating to the purchase of goods and services under contract
  by a school district and the provisions of Subchapters K and L,
  Chapter 130, Education Code, relating to the purchase of goods and
  services and construction services under contract by a junior
  college prevail over this subchapter.
         SECTION 6.  Subsection (b), Section 44.0311, and Sections
  130.010 and 130.0101, Education Code, are repealed.
         SECTION 7.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a contract for which requests for bids, requests for proposals,
  or requests for qualifications are published or distributed on or
  after the effective date of this Act.  A contract for which requests
  for bids, requests for proposals, or requests for qualifications
  are published  or distributed before the effect date of this Act is
  covered by the law in effect when the requests were published or
  distributed, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 8.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
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