STATE ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL

Management Memo / Number:
Subject:
UNIFORM STANDARDS FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITIONS / date ISSUED:
EXPIRES:
rEFERENCES:
Public Contract Code section 12104(d) / Issuing Agency:
Department of General Services
Introduction / Pursuant toPublic Contract Code section 12104(d), uniform standards for information technology (IT) procurements have been developed by the Department of General Services (DGS) in consultation with representatives of the following:
  • Department of Technology Services
  • Department of Finance
  • CaliforniaState Senate
  • CaliforniaState Assembly
  • Information technology industry

Applicability
/ Uniform standards identified herein apply to acquisitions of information technology goods and serviceswhen acquired pursuant to Public Contract Code§12100 et seq.
Uniform standards
/ Uniform standards provide consistent principles governing purchasing activity. The following standards apply to all types of information technology acquisitions:
Item / Uniform Standard
1 / Information technology contracting opportunities are to be enhanced, whenever possible, for eligible certified:
  • Small businesses and
  • Disabled veteran business enterprises

2 / As prescribed through law, regulation, and policy, the Department of General Services has the authority to invoke procedures applicable to specific acquisition situations. Execution of authority is not contingent upon inclusion of corresponding procedures within solicitation documents.
Item / Uniform Standard (Continued)
3 / The acquisition process shall follow a prescribed sequence of events that includes:
  • Acquisition planning
  • An acquisition phase
  • Post award administration

4 / The State shall consider an acquisition’s complexity, scope, size, estimated cost, and the State’s business needs when selecting the acquisition approach, method, andsolicitation type.
5 / The State shall conduct risk assessment for all major system integration projects balancing the project size, project criticality, client population size and project complexity.
6 / Whenever possible, solicitations are to focus on functionality for a system solution rather than specific product design information.
7 / Terms and conditions contained within the State’s General Provisions must be adhered to as drafted. Exceptions are permissible when approved by Procurement Division. Terms included in Special Provisions must be consistent with the General Provisions.
8 / When there is a protest right, it must be identified within the solicitation.
9 / Acquisition planning for consulting services must consider the possibility of whether the implementation of recommendations will require a subsequent procurement and, if so, solicitations must advise bidders of bidding restrictions associated with the nexus. Determination of whether a conflict exists for those that participated in the consulting service contract resides with the State.
10 / The implementation and administration of contracts shall adhere to the provisions of the contract and comply with statutory requirements, policies and procedures.
DOJHawkinsDataCenter / Information technology acquisitions for the HawkinsDataCenter at the Department of Justice (DOJ) are exempt from compliance with the uniform standards listed above (Public Contract Code §12104(d)(2)).
Approval / ______
Ron Joseph
Director

STATE ofCALIFORNIA

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