MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2024 Regular Session

To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

By: Senator(s) Wiggins

Senate Bill 2490

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 31-7-417, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO SIMPLIFY THE RECEIPT AND REGISTRATION PROCESS FOR PROPOSALS AND REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 31-7-417, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     31-7-417. * * *  (1)  Submitted proposals or qualifications shall be opened at the time designated for opening in the request for proposals or request for qualifications.  Proposals or qualifications and modifications shall be date-stamped or time and date-stamped upon receipt and held in a secure place until the established due date.  Electronic proposals or qualifications received will be stored in an electronic lockbox until the time designated for the opening of the proposal or qualification.

 * * *(2)  As each proposal or qualification is submitted but before those proposals or qualifications are opened, the chief procurement officer shall designate a person to prepare a register of proposals or qualifications, which shall include the number of modifications received, if any, and a description sufficient to identify the supply, service, commodity or other item offered.  The designated person shall assign each submitted proposal or qualification an identifying letter, number, or combination thereof, without revealing the name of the offerer who submitted each proposal or qualification to the chief procurement officer or any person named to the evaluation committee for that proposal or qualification.  The designated person shall keep the names of the offerers and their identifying numbers or letters, or combination thereof, in a sealed envelope or other secure location until factors not requiring knowledge of the name of the offerer have been evaluated and scored.  If the designated person reveals the names of the offerers and the corresponding identifying information before such time, the procurement process shall be terminated and the proposal or qualifications resolicited.  The register of proposals or qualifications shall be made part of the report required under Section 31‑7‑423(1).

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.

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