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Bill > A5484


NJ A5484

NJ A5484
Establishes price preference program on State contracts for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.


summary

Introduced
03/20/2025
In Committee
03/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill establishes a price preference program for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses competing for State contracts. Under current law, certain purchases or contracts payable out of State funds are publicly advertised and competitively bid on by businesses. The State then awards the contract to the lowest bidder. This bill would establish a price preference of up to 10 percent of the amount of the contract to a qualified disabled veterans' business. If the disabled veterans' business meets the requirements of the contract solicitation and is the lowest bidder due to the preference program, a State agency will enter into a procurement contract with the disabled veterans' business. If two or more qualified disabled veterans' businesses bid on a contract utilizing the preference program, the disabled veterans' business with the lowest bid will be awarded the contract. This bill defines "disabled veteran" to mean a resident of this State who has been certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as having any degree of service-connected disability. This bill defines "qualified disabled veterans' business" to mean an independently owned and operated business that has its principal place of business in the State, at least 51 percent of which is owned and controlled by persons who are disabled veterans, and the management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more disabled veterans or, in the case of a disabled veteran with a permanent and severe disability, are controlled by the spouse of such veteran.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a price preference program for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses competing for State contracts in New Jersey. Under the proposed legislation, when a State agency is awarding a publicly advertised contract paid with State funds, it will give a preference of up to 10 percent to a qualified disabled veterans' business. If the qualified disabled veterans' business meets all contract requirements and becomes the lowest bidder after applying the preference, the State agency must award the contract to that business. The bill defines a "disabled veteran" as a New Jersey resident certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as having any degree of service-connected disability, and a "qualified disabled veterans' business" as an independently owned business located in the state, with at least 51 percent ownership and control by disabled veterans, and daily operations managed by disabled veterans or, in cases of permanent and severe disability, by the veteran's spouse. Additionally, the bill includes a provision that if a disabled veteran owner dies during the contract or bidding process and the surviving spouse acquires the ownership interest, the business will remain eligible for the preference. The act is set to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 03/20/2025)

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