BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 558 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 15, 2015 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW Rudy Salas, Chair AB 558 (Low) - As Amended March 26, 2015 SUBJECT: Public contracts: state contracts: information technology goods and services SUMMARY: Requires the Department of Technology (CalTech) and Department of General Services (DGS) to use electronic means whenever possible to post documents and receive bids when conducting information technology (IT) procurements. EXISTING LAW authorizes CalTech and DGS to adopt rules and regulations necessary to govern the acquisition of IT goods and services. FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown COMMENTS: This bill would require CalTech and DGS to use electronic means during IT procurements, whenever possible, to post documents and receive bids. Additionally, whenever possible, this bill would require electronic communications and postings of information about rules and requirements governing IT acquisitions on both the websites of CalTech and DGS. AB 558 Page 2 According to the author, this bill would reduce paper and streamline the IT procurement process by reducing the need for paper postings and bid documents. Currently, bidders are generally required to submit paper bid packets. Depending on the bid, these documents can be several hundred pages long or longer. The author states that this bill is in line with the state's implementation of the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal), which will include electronic bidding. This bill likely allows CalTech and DGS flexibility to use paper documents when needed and could potentially reduce the amount of paper used during IT procurements. REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: Support Natoma Technologies Tech America Opposition None on file AB 558 Page 3 Analysis Prepared by:Scott Herbstman / A. & A.R. / (916) 319-3600