Section 25-10-9 Meaningful Percentage of Total Purchases of Articles, Services, Etc., of State Departments or Agencies to Be Awarded, Etc., to Small Businesses; Designation of Meaningful Percentage; Waiver of Requirements of Section.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the state bid law or other conflicting statutes of this state, it is herewith provided: (1) It shall be the policy of the state that, whenever practical, a meaningful percentage of each department’s or agency’s total purchases of articles, equipment, commodities, supplies, materials, services, or contracts be procured or otherwise awarded to small businesses. (2) This meaningful percentage shall not be less than 10 percent of the annual value of any department’s or agency’s total purchases of articles, materials, commodities, supplies, services, or contracts unless that department or agency files with the division a statement explaining the reasons why that agency cannot meet the requirements of this policy. If the division is satisfied that the department’s or agency’s reasons for its inability to comply with the requirements of this chapter are supported by substantial evidence, it may issue a waiver for that department or agency to the extent it cannot comply. However, such waiver shall be granted for a period not to exceed one year; provided, however, that such waiver may be renewed upon application by the department or agency, review and approval by the division. (3) The only reasons that shall justify a department or agency being granted a waiver from the provisions of this section are: a. Impossibility or unreasonable difficulty in procuring such articles, commodities, supplies, materials, services, or contracts from small business enterprises; b. Inability to procure such articles, supplies, materials, services, or contracts from such small business enterprises at the lowest bid; or c. Substantial differences in the quality of such articles, supplies, materials, services, or contracts available from small business enterprises as compared to the quality of such items if procured otherwise.