BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                     AB 558


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          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


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          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


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          Analysis Prepared by:Scott Herbstman / A. & A.R. / (916)  
          319-3600