By: West S.B. No. 857

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 junior college 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 junior college 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. After rating and ranking all offers received, 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 section 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 section 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 comptroller or Department of Information Resources, including a contract for the purchase of travel services, telephone service, computers, and computer-related equipment, service, and software; or

(3) 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.

(h) 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 Subsection (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 Subsection (a).

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 shall 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, or 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) 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) District purchases of goods or services are subject to audit by the state auditor in accordance with Chapter 321, Government Code.

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 notice in a newspaper exclusively under Subsection (a), publish on a publicly accessible Internet site the notice required by this section. Before or at the same time the district first publishes the Internet notice, the district shall publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation, as described by Subsection (a), that includes the name of the goods or services to be purchased, the date, time, and place for receiving and opening bids, proposals, or statements of qualifications, and the Internet address of the Internet site where detailed requirements may be found. The notice posted on the Internet under this subsection must be posted every day for at least:

(1) 10 business days before the deadline for receiving the bids or proposals; or

(2) five business days before the deadline for receiving responses to a request for qualifications.

(c) Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (b) for the newspaper notice required by that subsection, 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 OR SITE VISIT. (a) The district may require a principal, officer, or employee of each prospective bidder to attend a mandatory pre-bid conference or site visit, or both, as a condition of a request for bid or proposal. Notice of a requirement under this subsection must be included in the notice published under Section 130.258.

(b) After the district conducts a mandatory pre-bid conference or site visit, the district may send any additional required notice for the proposed contract only to prospective bidders who attended or were represented at the conference or who are documented as having visited the site.

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 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 who 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), (g), and (h), 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.

Sec. 130.270. DELEGATION. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the board of trustees may, as appropriate, delegate its authority under this subchapter to a designated person, representative, or committee. In procuring goods or services other than 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 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.

[Sections 130.271-130.300 reserved for expansion]

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 contracting selected under Subsection (a).

(e) 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 Subsection (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 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) 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) District construction contracts are subject to audit by the state auditor in accordance with Chapter 321, Government Code.

Sec. 130.306. NOTICE. (a) 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 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 OR SITE VISIT. (a) The district may require a principal, officer, or employee of each prospective bidder to attend a mandatory pre-bid conference or site visit, or both, as a condition of a request for bid or proposal. Notice of a requirement under this subsection must be included in the notice published under Section 130.306.

(b) After the district conducts a mandatory pre-bid conference or site visit, the district may send any additional required notice for the proposed contract only to prospective bidders who attended or were represented at the conference or who are documented as having visited the site.

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 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.

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 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 130.303(e), 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. For the purposes of this section, notice must be published as required under Section 130.306.

(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, the district shall select or designate an architect or engineer to prepare the construction documents for the facility. If the architect or engineer is not a full-time employee of the district, the district shall select the architect or engineer on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications as provided by Section 2254.004, Government Code. The request for qualifications for the architect or engineer shall be advertised in the manner provided for giving notice under Section 130.306.

Sec. 130.323. CONTRACTS MADE WITHOUT ADVERTISING. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (d) and Section 130.303(e), 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.

[Sections 130.324-130.350 reserved for expansion]

SUBCHAPTER M. DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS PERSONAL PROPERTY

Sec. 130.351. SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY. A junior college 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 junior college 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 junior college district may not give, donate, loan, or transfer surplus property to any person or entity.

[Sections 130.353-130.400 reserved for expansion]

SUBCHAPTER N. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND CONSULTANT SERVICES

Sec. 130.401. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. (a) For purposes of this section, "professional service 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 service providers and the publication of notice is not required.

(d) A professional service provider selected by the junior college 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 service provider may not exceed five years, except that the professional service 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 consultants and the publication of notice is not required.

(d) A consultant selected by the junior college 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 consultant may not exceed five years, except that the consultant 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 a junior college district may adopt rules and procedures for the acquisition of professional services and consultants by the district.

(b) Junior college district contracts for professional services or consultants are subject to audit by the state auditor in accordance with Chapter 321, Government Code.

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 effective 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 does not make an appropriation. A provision in this Act that creates a new governmental program, creates a new entitlement, or imposes a new duty on a governmental entity is not mandatory during a fiscal period for which the legislature has not made a specific appropriation to implement the provision.

SECTION 9. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.