Panel taps adviser to help review procurement laws

Legislators favor hiring California firm

A legislative panel on Wednesday decided to hire a California-based consultant to help lawmakers review the state’s procurement laws and regulations under which agencies contract with vendors.

The consultant also would assist lawmakers in recommending changes to consider in the 2019 regular legislative session.

The Legislative Council’s Review Subcommittee chose Ikaso Consulting LLC of San Bruno, Calif., to be the panel’s procurement consultant over Public Consulting Group of Boston and Public Works LLC of West Chester, Pa. The latter planned to use InVeritas of Little Rock as a subcontractor.

After interviewing representatives of the three firms, the subcommittee, without discussion, had members rank the companies by first, second and third choice on paper ballots.

The 14 subcommittee members attending Wednesday’s meeting each voted for Ikaso Consulting as their first choice.

Ikaso Consulting’s maximum bid was $336,800, while Public Consulting Group’s maximum bid was $248,465 and Public Works’ maximum bid was $298,125, according to the Bureau of Legislative Research.

Asked why the subcommittee needs to hire a consultant rather than rely on the Bureau of Legislative Research staff and information available through the National Conference of Sate Legislatures, subcommittee co-chairman, Sen. Scott Flippo, R-Mountain Home, said the consulting firm will do more than listen to lawmakers and the executive branch about changes that they favor.

“They are also going to tell us things that we don’t know. That’s an important part of this whole process,” he said.

“I will be very surprised if nothing new comes out of this process, and I will be disappointed.”