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Bill > A5019


NJ A5019

NJ A5019
Revises definition of "contracting unit" for government cooperative purchasing agreements.


summary

Introduced
11/14/2024
In Committee
11/14/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under current law, certain government contracting units authorized to purchase goods, or to contract for services, may make purchases and contract for services through the use of a nationally-recognized and accepted cooperative purchasing agreement that has been developed utilizing a competitive bidding process by another contracting unit within the State of New Jersey, or within any other state, when available. The definition of "contracting unit" in this provision of law includes various government entities, but specifies that they are "not a State board, commission, committee, authority or agency." This bill revises this definition of "contracting unit" to change the use of "authority or agency," providing instead for "State authority or agency." Thereby, State authorities or agencies would be included in the definition of contracting unit and be able to participate in the pertinent cooperative purchasing agreement. State boards, commissions, and committees will remain ineligible to participate in these cooperative purchasing agreements.

AI Summary

This bill revises the definition of "contracting unit" in New Jersey's cooperative purchasing agreement laws to expand participation in these agreements. Currently, various government entities can use cooperative purchasing agreements, but state authorities and agencies were explicitly excluded. The bill modifies this restriction by adding "State authority or agency" to the definition of contracting unit, which will allow these entities to participate in cooperative purchasing agreements that have been developed through a competitive bidding process. The bill introduces a new definition of "local unit" to clarify the types of government entities included, such as counties, municipalities, school districts, and fire districts. By making this change, the bill aims to provide more flexibility for state authorities and agencies to potentially save money by joining cooperative purchasing agreements, while maintaining the existing exclusion of state boards, commissions, and committees from such agreements. The legislation allows government entities to combine their purchasing requirements into a single, competitively bid contract when it is determined to be the most cost-effective procurement method.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 11/14/2024)

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