Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
Assemblyman RUBEN J. RAMOS, JR.
District 33 (Hudson)
Assemblywoman LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Fuentes, O'Donnell, Caputo, Johnson, Assemblywoman Tucker, Assemblymen Conaway, Schaer, Assemblywoman Riley, Assemblyman Greenwald, Assemblywomen Pou, Spencer, Assemblymen Giblin, Burzichelli, Assemblywomen Quigley, Wagner, Assemblyman Benson and Assemblywoman Lampitt
SYNOPSIS
Provides for development of searchable “Bulletin NJ” local public bidding and employment database.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the development of a searchable local public bidding and employment database and supplementing P.L.1971, c.198.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Department of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Office of Information Technology, shall design, develop, and maintain a single, searchable Internet database, to be known as “Bulletin NJ,” that contains and displays information on employment opportunities, requests for proposals, and other government procurement opportunities published by a contracting unit.
b. Each entry in the Internet database shall include the following:
(1) a detailed description of the services required;
(2) the format and procedure to be followed in submitting proposals;
(3) the specific information which qualified vendors must provide in the proposal;
(4) a statement setting forth the relative importance of factors, including cost, which the contracting unit will consider in evaluating a proposal submitted by a qualified vendor;
(5) the date and time of day by which, and the place at which, the proposals shall be submitted to the contracting unit; and
(6) any other information which the contracting unit deems appropriate.
c. In addition to the requirements specified in subsection a. of this section, the Internet database shall:
(1) be accessible from the Department of Community Affairs Internet website;
(2) display all of the information enumerated by subsection b. of this section;
(3) be organized primarily by the name of the contracting unit publishing the request for proposals;
(4) be reviewed and updated at least once per month or more frequently as new information becomes available or changes are necessary; and
(5) provide an opportunity for the public to submit input and feedback concerning the utility of the Internet database and recommendations for its improvement.
d. All contracting units are directed to submit information on all employment opportunities and requests for proposals to the Department of Community Affairs and the Office of Information Technology in order to comply with the requirements of this section. Any changes to a request for proposals or in the status of the request shall be promptly reported to the Department of Community Affairs.
e. Nothing in this section shall require the disclosure of information deemed confidential by State or federal law.
2. This act shall take effect immediately, but section 1 shall remain inoperative until July 1, 2011.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the State Department of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Office of Information Technology, design, develop, and maintain a single, searchable Internet database, to be known as “Bulletin NJ,” that contains and displays information on employment opportunities, requests for proposals, and other government procurement opportunities published by a contracting unit.
Under the provisions of this bill, the Internet database will provide prospective bidders with the following information: (1) a detailed description of the services required; (2) the format and procedure to be followed in submitting proposals; (3) the specific information which qualified vendors must provide in the proposal; (4) a statement setting forth the relative importance of factors, including cost, which the contracting unit will consider in evaluating a proposal submitted by a qualified vendor; (5) the date and time of day by which, and the place at which, the proposals shall be submitted to the contracting unit; and (6) any other information which the contracting unit deems appropriate.
By July 1, 2011 the Internet database will be available to the public and must: (1) be accessible from the Department of Community Affairs Internet website; (2) display all of the information enumerated by subsection b. of this section; (3) be organized primarily by the name of the contracting unit publishing the request for proposals; (4) be reviewed and updated at least once per month or more frequently as new information becomes available or changes are necessary; and (5) provide an opportunity for the public to submit input and feedback concerning the utility of the Internet database and recommendations for its improvement.
The development of an Internet database will provide prospective bidders with an easily accessible and comprehensive “one stop” source of current information on local employment opportunities and requests for proposals. This bill would improve transparency in local government and make it easier for citizens, groups, and local governments to access information concerning employment opportunities and public bidding.