(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that agencies of the state use an acquisition method that is compatible with their short- and long-term fiscal needs in contracts relating to commodities and information technology goods and services. State agencies should be able to specify their anticipated life cycle requirements that would become one of the criteria for contractor selection. These agencies should be given the choice of suppliers to meet statewide standardization needs, unique service requirements, application requirements, and long-term satisfaction criteria. There is a need for the state to enter into long-term contracts with annual cancellation and fund-out clauses, as required, to protect the state’s interests as well as provide the option for multiyear renewals to encourage suppliers to develop higher levels of service and support throughout the contracts.

(b) The state may utilize multiple awards, including federal General Service Administration Multiple Awards Schedules and master agreements or contracts for goods, information technology, services, or consulting services. For purposes of this subdivision, a multiple award is an award of an indefinite quantity contract for one or more similar goods, information technology, or services to more than one supplier. Except for possible multiple awards as permitted by this subdivision, and except as described in subdivision (d), all the requirements of this chapter pertaining to other types of information technology acquisitions shall be followed. The Department of General Services shall administer this section and ensure that multiple award schedules are in compliance with all other applicable statutes.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, state agencies, in exercising their contracting authority delegated by the Department of General Services, may contract with suppliers who have multiple award schedules with the General Services Administration of the United States on the same terms, conditions, and prices if the supplier is willing to do so. The Department of General Services may also develop multiple award schedules or agreements for use by state agencies in the same manner. The Department of General Services shall determine the delegation contracting authority for agencies wishing to use multiple award schedules.

(d) For contracts related to information technology integration or development projects that generate revenues or achieve savings over a quantifiable baseline of existing costs, state agencies shall consider and may incorporate performance-based or share-in-savings contract terms to manage risks and create incentives for successful contract performance. Performance-based or share-in-savings contracts may have the following characteristics, among others:

(1) Contract terms that specify business outcomes to be achieved, not the solution to be provided.

(2) Contract terms that structure the contract to maintain maximum vendor commitment to project success and minimize risk to the state by sharing risk with the private sector.

(3) Utilization of “best value” evaluation methods, which means to select the solution that will achieve the best result based on business performance measures, not necessarily the lowest price.

(4) Contract terms that base payments to the vendor primarily on achieving predefined performance measures.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 28, Sec. 56. (SB 71) Effective June 27, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 93 of Ch. 28.)