Answer

As of August 1, 2024, political subdivisions such as fire protection districts, fire departments, police departments, sheriffs, ambulance service districts, 911 communication districts, or other related local public safety departments and agencies may purchase directly from qualified group purchasing organizations under R.S. 38:2212.1(P) as an exception to the Public Bid Law. In order to utilize this exception to purchase directly from the vendor in lieu of bidding out the purchase, the auditee must meet all of the following requirements: · The auditee must be a local public safety department or agency, · The vendor must be a “qualified group purchasing organization,” and · The materials or supplies being purchased must not be available cheaper under an existing State contract. In order to show that the public safety auditee meets all of the above requirements to utilize the Public Bid Law exception under R.S. 38:2212.1(P), the following is an example of the information the auditee should document and maintain in their files: · Documentation showing that the vendor is a “qualified group purchasing organization” including: o That the vendor has two or more Louisiana public safety departments or agencies as members; o That the vendor solicits proposals and bids to establish price lists for materials, equipment and supplies, and o That the prices on the price list will remain in effect for a state period of time of no less than three months. · Documentation, such as an email from the Office of State Procurement, confirming that the materials, equipment, or supplies are not available on an existing State Contract for a lower price than the price list of the qualified group purchasing organization. Louisiana Legislative Auditor website: 06/22/2026 08:35:33 PM