Senate Bill 2184

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-53-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES TO REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE THE NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS PROVIDING HIGH-DEMAND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND TO DETERMINE THE POTENTIAL COST SAVINGS THAT MAY BE REALIZED FROM PAYING SKILLED PERSONNEL WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY A COMPETITIVE MARKET RATE TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 25-53-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-53-25. (1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to imply exemption from the public purchases law, being Section 31-7-1 et seq.

(2) The authority may establish policies and procedures for the purpose of delegating the bidding and contracting responsibilities related to the procurement of computer equipment or services to the purchasing agency. Such policies and procedures must address the following issues:

(a) Establish categories of equipment or services affected;

(b) Establish maximum unit and/or ceiling prices of such procurements;

(d) Establish a report which shall be provided to the Legislature before December 1, 2020, that shall contain the following information:

(i) The number and individual cost of independent contractors providing high-demand information technology services sorted by agency; and

(ii) The potential cost savings that may be realized by paying skilled authority personnel a competitive market rate to perform such services.

The State Personnel Board shall provide the authority with all relative information needed to calculate cost savings through the use of authority personnel. Agencies with personnel or independent contractors in related information technology positions shall cooperate with the authority and the State Personnel Board in providing all relevant information needed to determine the cost savings; and

( * * *de) Establish other such rules and regulations as necessary to fully implement the purposes of this section. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to imply exemption from the public purchases law, being Section 31-7-1 et seq.

(3) Acquisitions of computer equipment and services by institutions of higher learning or junior colleges wholly with federal funds and not with state general funds shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter; however, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to imply an exemption of such acquisitions from the public purchases law, being Section 31-7-1 et seq.

(4) [Repealed]

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.