In administering the purchasing program, the director shall do all of the following:

(a) No later than 45 days after the effective date of this article, establish an advisory committee, which shall be comprised of representatives of organizations including, but not limited to, the California Fire Chiefs Association, the Fire Districts Association of California, the California Professional Firefighters, the CDF Firefighters, and the California State Firefighters Association, Inc. The committee shall meet no later than 30 days after all members are appointed.

(b) Consult with the advisory committee regarding equipment specifications and other matters relating to the acquisition of thermal imaging equipment, and require the advisory committee to formulate specifications no later than 120 days after its initial meeting.

(c) Notify all local and state agencies about the purchasing program, including the opportunity to purchase additional units at the contract price, and determine whether those agencies are interested in obtaining thermal imaging equipment.

(d) Purchase thermal imaging equipment at the lowest possible price from a reliable vendor that meets specified requirements. It is the intent of the Legislature that the director enter into a multiyear contract for this purpose no later than 180 days after the committee formulates specifications pursuant to subdivision (b).

(e) Include a provision in the vendor contract allowing any local or state agency to purchase additional units directly from the vendor at the contract price.

(f) Any local agency that elects to participate in the thermal imaging equipment purchasing program shall pay one-half of the contract price for each piece of equipment purchased on its behalf by the state.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 157. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)