Bill > HB859

This bill amends Pennsylvania's procurement laws by establishing new requirements for contract specifications in public works projects. The bill stipulates that contract specifications cannot include proprietary, exclusionary, or discriminatory requirements unless certain specific conditions are met: the requirements are necessary to test a specific feature, ensure interchangeability of parts or equipment, maintain compatibility with existing systems, or when no alternative brand or source exists. The bill also mandates that for each part or piece of equipment, specifications must clearly identify the essential performance features that would qualify a brand or model as equivalent, and explicitly states that equivalent parts or equipment must be given equal consideration. This aims to promote fairness and competition in public works contracts by preventing overly restrictive specifications that might unfairly advantage a particular vendor or product. The legislation will take effect 60 days after its enactment, giving state procurement officials time to adjust their contract drafting practices to comply with the new guidelines.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=859