Bill > SB51

This bill revises contracting procedures for counties and municipalities in Georgia when acquiring certain professional services, such as those from architects, engineers, surveyors, and landscape architects. Previously, counties and municipalities had different rules for negotiating contracts and requiring multiple estimates for services. This bill mandates that both counties and municipalities must now follow the same competitive process outlined in Code Section 36-91-3 for acquiring these specific professional services, regardless of the contract's value, and these contracts will not be subject to the previous requirement of obtaining at least two estimates for services costing between $20,000 and $250,000. The bill also expands the existing state law regarding managerial control over the acquisition of professional services to include local governments, defining "local government" and clarifying that the process is intended to ensure these services are acquired based on demonstrated competence and qualifications at fair prices. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2027.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69604