STATE News:
SANTA FE — House Republican Caucus Chair Rebecca Dow (R- Truth or Consequences) and Rep. Randall T. Pettigrew (R- Lea County) are urging the State Purchasing Division within the General Services Department to review a growing number of sole source contracts across state government.
A sole source contract allows an agency to award a contract without a competitive bidding process when only one vendor is deemed able to provide the service.
In a joint letter, the lawmakers warned that agencies are bypassing standard procurement rules meant to protect taxpayers and ensure fair competition. They noted 46 pending requests totaling more than $49.1 million.
They highlighted recent contract requests, including:
- $350,000 for a Washington, D.C. public relations firm
- $108,000 for a New York-based training program
- $800,000 for an international security consultancy providing executive security services
“Sole source contracts should be rare and clearly justified,” Rep. Pettigrew said. “Right now, the volume alone raises serious questions about whether the process is being followed.”
“Taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability,” Rep. Dow said. “These contracts must meet the law.”
The lawmakers called on the Division to deny any requests that fail to meet statutory requirements and strengthen oversight of the process.