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PUBLIC LAWS OF MAINE
First Regular Session of the 120th

PART NNNN

     Sec. NNNN-1. 5 MRSA c. 155, sub-c. I-B is enacted to read:

SUBCHAPTER I-B
STATE PURCHASING CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SUPPLIERS OF APPAREL, FOOTWEAR OR TEXTILES

§1825-K.   Application of state purchasing code of conduct to certain bidders seeking contracts as part of competitive bid process; affidavit required

     This subchapter applies to competitive bids for sale of apparel, footwear or textiles pursuant to subchapter I-A. The State Purchasing Agent may not accept a bid for the sale of goods covered by this subchapter unless the bidder has filed with the agent a signed affidavit stating that the bidder will comply with the state purchasing code of conduct established under section 1825-L and that, to the best of the bidder's knowledge, the supplier at the point of assembly of the goods subject to the bid process is in compliance with the state purchasing code of conduct. The State Purchasing Agent shall make a copy of the state purchasing code of conduct available to all bidders.

§1825-L. State purchasing code of conduct

     1. Statement of belief; protection of local interests. The affidavit provided by the State Purchasing Agent to bidders for contracts to provide goods covered by this subchapter must include a copy of the following statement:

     2. Employment and business conduct; requirements. With respect to goods covered by this subchapter, a company contracting with the State to supply those goods shall adopt and adhere to employment and business practices in accordance with this subsection. A company shall:

     3. Consequences of noncompliance with purchasing code of conduct. Upon determination of a violation of the state purchasing code of conduct by a vendor or vendor's supplier at the point of assembly of a good covered by this subchapter, the State, through the State Purchasing Agent, shall inform the vendor and engage in discussions with the vendor about the violation. The purpose of the discussions is to work in partnership with the vendor to influence the vendor to change its practices or to use its bargaining position with the offending supplier to change its practices, rather than to cease doing business with the vendor or supplier. The State Purchasing Agent shall prescribe appropriate measures for the vendor to take in order to comply with the code of conduct. These steps may include, but are not limited to:

In making a determination of a violation of the purchasing code of conduct, the State Purchasing Agent shall take into account all relevant, reliable information available, including but not limited to information provided by the vendor or the supplier at the point of assembly, reports from reputable national and international organizations, documented media reports and creditable information provided from local groups or organizations.
§1825-M. Exception

     The State Purchasing Agent may accept and award a bid to a supplier who has not met the requirements provided in section 1825-K if, after reasonable investigation by the State Purchasing Agent, it appears that the required unit or item of supply or brand of that unit or item, is procurable by the State from only that supplier.

§1825-N.   Support to suppliers of goods and services

     The State Purchasing Agent shall provide to bidders and those who have been awarded contracts resources to assist with compliance with the state purchasing code of conduct established in this subchapter. These resources must include a list, easily accessed by the public, of bidders and vendors who have adopted the state purchasing code of conduct.

§1825-O. Rulemaking

     The State Purchasing Agent shall adopt rules under this subchapter governing the award of bids. Those rules must include specific guidelines for vendors to follow in order to comply with the state purchasing code of conduct and criteria for seeking disclosure of names and addresses of vendors' suppliers and suppliers' working conditions.

     Rules adopted under this section are major substantive rules as defined in chapter 375, subchapter II-A.

§1825-P. Report

     By January 15th of each year, the State Purchasing Agent shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over state and local government matters concerning the administrative and fiscal impact of the requirement that vendors comply with the state purchasing code of conduct; the degree of voluntary compliance with the state purchasing code of conduct; the number of vendors who agreed to and the number that declined to comply with the provisions of this subchapter; and any other information relevant to the state purchasing code of conduct.

     Sec. NNNN-2. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Part.

2001-02 2002-03

ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Division of Purchases

Provides funds for the salary, fringe benefits, overhead and one-time start-up costs of a 30-hour per week Procurement and Contracting Specialist position and for consulting services to evaluate major contracts and provide state and vendor training, development of a publicly accessible site on the Internet, and required upgrades to the current purchasing system.

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE
AND FINANCIAL SERVICES ____________ ____________
TOTAL $59,580 $41,750

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