Greater Public Contracting Transparency Approved by Senate

Provisions in SB 1518 will prevent conflict of interest, provide info on bids.

Salem-News.com photo by Tim King

(SALEM) - The Oregon Senate approved a bill this morning that will shine a light on the state’s public contracting process. Senate Bill 1518 addresses several concerns regarding how public contracts are awarded and what information is collected regarding public contracts.

“This bill takes significant steps toward transparency, accountability, and leveling the playing field in how state contracts are awarded,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), who carried the bill on the floor. “We must look for ways to deliver services more efficiently and with greater savings for taxpayers. This bill is a great example of how we can continue to strengthen government efficiency and cut waste.”

Senate Bill 1518 has three simple provisions that will improve transparency in how contracts are awarded. Those provisions include:

• Prohibiting a vendor from writing the specifications of a project and then turning around and bidding on that project.
• Allowing a bidder to include information on the number of Oregon jobs that will be created if that bidder is chosen for the project.
• Requiring the Department of Administrative Services to report to the Legislature about “special procurements,” a contracting procedure that allows state agencies to bypass competitive bidding rules.

“These are common sense requirements that will give taxpayers and legislators greater understanding of how limited resources are allocated,” said Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham). “Now, more than ever, it is important to understand how our state’s investments are creating Oregon jobs. This is very valuable information when it comes to how we prioritize our scarce resources.”

SB 1518 was crafted with stakeholders from the private sector and state agencies. The bill was now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Source: Senate Majority Caucus