Section 1. Procedure. This section makes conforming changes.

Section 2. Job order contracting. This section provides the parameters for Hennepin County to use job order contracting.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. Definitions are provided. “Job order contracting” is defined as “a project delivery method that requests a limited number of bids from a list of qualified contractors, selected from a registry of qualified contractors who have been prescreened and who have entered into master contracts with the county, as provided in this section.”

Subdivision 2. Authority. The county may use job order contracting for projects that do not exceed $250,000.

Subdivision 3. Job order contracting request for qualifications. The county may issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) that includes the criteria that will be used for the projects, as long as the criteria do not unduly restrict competition, do not impose unreasonable requirements, and do not relate to the collective bargaining status of the contractor. The RFQ must be publicized so that it ensures open and unrestricted access for any potential responder.

Subdivision 4. Qualified contractors. The county must review the responses to the RFQ and establish a list of qualified contractors. The county may establish a reasonable limit to the number of contractors on the list. The county must establish procedures to allow firms to submit qualifications at least every three years.

Subdivision 5. Construction services bidding. The number of bids the county must request for construction services for any project using job order contracting depends on the amount of the project.

Subdivision 6. Qualified contractor selection. The county must select the contractor who submits the lowest price bid.

Subdivision 7. Reasonable distribution of bid requests among qualified contractors. The county must develop a system to ensure a reasonable opportunity for all qualified contractors to periodically bid on construction services.