A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT eliminating THE requirement that the STATE PURCHASING OFFICER DETERMINE whether THREE QUALIFIED VENDORS ARE AVAILABLE in furniture requirements contracts and clarifying the term qualified vendor in such contracts.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 143‑57.1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑57.1.  Furniture requirements contracts.
(a)	To ensure agencies access to sufficient sources of furniture supply and service, to provide agencies the necessary flexibility to obtain furniture that is compatible with interior architectural design and needs, to provide small and disadvantaged businesses additional opportunities to participate on State requirements contracts, and to restore the traditional use of multiple award contracts for purchasing furniture requirements, each State furniture requirements contract shall be awarded on a multiple award basis, subject to the following conditions:
(1)	Competitive, sealed bids must be solicited for the contract in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes unless otherwise provided for by the State Purchasing Officer pursuant to that Article.
(2)	Subject to the provisions of this section, bids shall be evaluated and the contract awarded in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes.
(3)	For each category of goods under each State requirements furniture contract, awards shall be made to at least three qualified vendors unless three such vendors are not available. A vendor is qualified under this section if the vendor's products conform to the term contract specifications and the vendor is listed on the State's qualified products list.
(4)	An agency may purchase from any vendor certified on the contract but shall make the most economical purchase that it determines meets its needs, based upon price, compatibility, service, delivery, freight charges, and other factors that it considers relevant.
(b)	For purposes of this section, "furniture requirements contract" means State requirements contracts for casegoods, classroom furniture, bookcases, ergonomic chairs, office swivel and side chairs, computer furniture, mobile and folding furniture, upholstered seating, commercial dining tables, and related items."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.