Public contracts: state agencies: bid preferences.

Existing law imposes various requirements with respect to contracting by state agencies. This bill would require a state agency that accepts bids or proposals for a contract for goods, except for technology, to provide a preference of 5% to a California business meeting specified criteria. The bill would also require the Department of General Services to establish a process to verify that a business meets the criteria for the 5% preference. This bill would provide that these provisions may not be construed to require an affected state agency to compromise its immediate mission or ability to function and carry out its existing responsibilities.