It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 3 of chapter 137 of the Public Laws of 1994 entitled, "An Act Relating to State Purchases," is hereby amended to read as follows:
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on April 1, 1995,
1996 {ADD 1997 ADD} , provided that commencing upon passage of this
act, the director of the department of administration shall make
a monthly report to the chairperson of the finance committees of
both the house and senate on the progress of the implementation
of the Rhode Island Vendor Information Program, said reports to
be made up to and including April 1, 1996 {ADD 1997 ADD} .
SECTION 2. Sections 37-2-17 and 37-2-17.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 37-2 entitled "State Purchases" are hereby amended to read as follows:
37-2-17. Method of source selection. (Effective
April 1, 1996.) -- {ADD Method of source selection (Effective
April 1, 1997) -- ADD} All state contracts and purchases shall be
solicited solely through utilization of the Rhode Island
Vendor Information Program (RIVIP) as set forth in section
37-2-17.1. Except as otherwise authorized by law, all state
contracts shall be awarded by:
(1) Competitive sealed bidding, pursuant to section 37-2-18;
(2) Competitive negotiation, pursuant to sections 37-2-19 and 37-2-20;
(3) Noncompetitive negotiation, pursuant to section 37-2-21; or
(4) Small purchase procedures, pursuant to section 37-2-22.
37-2-17.1. Rhode Island Vendor Information Program
(RIVIP). (Effective April 1, 1996.) -- {ADD Rhode Island Vendor
Information Program (RIVIP). (Effective April 1, 1997.) -- ADD}
The chief purchasing officer is directed to institute an
electronic vendor information program which shall enable all
invitations for bid and requests for a proposal to be accessed
electronically by all potential vendors. This program is to be
readily accessible through public access stations located at the
following locations:
(1) One Capital {ADD Capitol ADD} Hill, Providence, Rhode
Island;
(2) City or town hall or public library of each of the thirty-nine (39) cities and towns in the state.
Further, the vendor information program shall be accessible to potential vendors through means of computer modem.
SECTION 3. Chapter 37-2 of the general laws entitled, "State Purchases" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
{ADD 37-2-17.2. Utilization of department of administration Rhode Island Vendor Information Program (RIVIP). -- All public agencies as defined by 37-2-7(16) shall utilize the RIVIP established by the chief purchasing officer for state agencies (director of the department of administration) to implement the requirements of section 37-2-17 and 37-2-17.1 of the general laws. The director of administration shall be authorized to assess prorated charges to public agencies to offset costs for acquisition of equipment, computer and other development, consultant services, installation of equipment, software, communications lines, initial and ongoing training and outreach, maintenance and any other costs of implementing and operating the department of administration RIVIP. ADD}
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.
