Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Procurement Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners review resolution to codify procurement definitions, add local and workforce preferences
Summary
The board reviewed Resolution 115-25 to formalize definitions of "responsible" and "responsive" bidders and expand the county preference policy to include workforce development, people with disabilities and disabled veterans; staff asked for an effective date of Jan. 1 to allow implementation.
Peg Trent, chief counsel for Johnson County, presented Resolution 115-25, which would amend county purchasing policies to clearly define competitive-procurement terms and expand the county’s preference policy.
The presentation said Policy 110165 (competitive procurement) would codify existing practices and align county procedures for determining what a "responsible" and "responsive" bidder means. The draft also moves the county’s local-business preference (currently used as a tie-breaker under Policy 110125) into the updated preference policy and adds preferences for certified workforce-development programs, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans.
Trent told the board the workforce-development preference targets businesses that meet certification criteria under the U.S. Department of Labor for registered apprenticeship programs, which the county says will support local trades and help prevent labor shortages on future construction projects. Trent said the change for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans aligns with Kansas state statute 75 37 4 0, but the county’s proposed preference would operate as a tie-breaker rather than applying the statute’s 10% bid-difference allowance.
Why it matters: commissioners framed the revision as clarifying long-standing procurement practices, increasing transparency, and encouraging local workforce development so the county can meet construction and maintenance needs with sufficient skilled labor.
Discussion highlights: Chair Mike Kelly said the board has discussed procurement clarity repeatedly and praised the staff effort. Commissioner Allen Brand (first referenced as Allen Brand) emphasized the need to communicate policy changes clearly to the public and vendors; Commissioner Burrow and others praised the inclusion of workforce-development preferences and the alignment with state policy for disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities. Commissioner Ashcraft said he would like additional briefings on Department of Labor expectations and the potential impacts on existing vendors; staff agreed to follow up. Trent said staff requests an effective date of Jan. 1 for the policies to allow internal procedure updates and vendor notification.
Actions and next steps: the board held the item on action for consideration at the next meeting so commissioners could review details and receive follow-up briefings; no formal adoption occurred during the agenda review.
