Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell's Office said that on Jan. 1 the state has added new provisions to the "nation's toughest contracting laws."
"These provisions send a clear message that Connecticut will assess and approve contractors and contracts with a fair and even hand," Rell said. "There can be absolutely no tolerance for anything other than a level playing field and the highest regard for the public good."
The provisions that took effect on Thursday are:
- Establishment of a 14-member State Contracting Standards Board (SCSB) as an independent Executive Branch agency with responsibilities for reviewing, monitoring and auditing the procurement processes of state agencies.
- SCSB assistance to constitutional officers to develop the best procurement practices for their offices.
- Establishment of a Contracting Standards Advisory Council, consisting of representatives of state agencies and the Office of Policy and Management to recommend improvements to the procurement process to the SCSB.
- Establishment of a 15-member Vendor Advisory Board that makes recommendations to the SCSB on best practices in state procurements.
