SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson (D – Suisun City) announced the introduction of Assembly Bill 1957, relating to best value contracting.
AB 1957 will increase efficiency in local governments throughout California by allowing for the continued use of best value contracting; a procurement process which allows the consideration of other factors in addition to price in the award and execution of public contracts. The bill is sponsored by Solano County.
Best value contracting was established as a pilot program under previous legislation. The authority allows counties to award contracts for construction projects in excess of $1 million to the bidder representing the best value. The participating counties are Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Yuba. While this has been a highly successful program, the current authority is due to sunset at the end of this year. AB 1957 will remove this sunset and allow counties to continue utilizing best value contracting.
“With a background in finance and auditing, increasing government efficiency is a priority of mine in the Legislature,” said Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). “Best value contracting presents unique opportunity for local governments in California to deliver high-quality projects for our residents. I look forward to collaborating with Solano County as we advance this legislation and provide this resource to all California Counties.”
“Best Value project delivery has allowed Solano County Capital Projects Management Division to bring aboard highly-qualified contractors for important projects where timeliness, quality of work and a collaborative mindset were critical to project success,” said Mark Hummel, Capital Projects Manager at Solano County Department of General Services. “It has attracted contractors not otherwise interested in competing on the basis of low bid alone. Rather, the prospect of competing on the basis of project team experience, familiarity with similar projects, the soundness of project management and quality control programs, and the opportunity to propose project enhancements beyond the owner’s minimum requirements proved attractive to these more qualified contractors. Solano County looks forward to using Best Value project delivery again, and encourages its continuation and availability to all California Counties.”
“As stewards of taxpayer money, it’s our job to ensure that projects are completed with quality in mind, saving money in the long run, and preventing waste,” said Mitch Mashburn, Solano County District 5 Supervisor. “Best-value contracting helps us reach that goal while providing local jobs that pay well. It’s a proven, good government model that serves our communities and respects taxpayers. Best-value contracting deserves extension.”
