Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard

LEGISLATIVE News

SANTA FE–Legislation that would promote fair competition and transparency for New Mexico resident businesses and contractors has passed the Senate. It would help New Mexico companies compete with out-of-state contractors. 

House Joint Memorial 11CS sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, D-Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Santa Fe, requests the General Services Department (GSD) to develop guidance and secure training on bids and requests for proposals (RFP) for chief procurement officers of state agencies and local public bodies. 

The House Memorial also requests the GSD to identify resident businesses or contractors on a statewide price agreement and that such a list be maintained by the GSD’s purchasing division.

“Growing high-paying jobs for New Mexicans is a priority for me,” Garcia Richard said. “That’s why I was thrilled to have been selected to serve on the interim Jobs Council. One of the surprising findings of this task force is a growing trend of pushing state government contracts to out-of-state contractors without giving in-state businesses a fair chance to compete. That’s why I worked with industry and labor to design this legislation to ensure that New Mexico companies remain competitive when they bid for state contracts.”

With the passage of HJM 11 CS in both the House and the Senate, the legislation brings New Mexico in line with other states, by mandating training and certification for procurement officers.  It underscores the importance of the profession of government procurement.  It also promotes small businesses and economic and job growth in the state.

The Legislative Jobs Council made the recommendation to improve procurement methods and training as part of its effort to create 160,000 jobs in the next 10 years.