Public contracts: bidding: Business Enterprises Program for the Blind.

Existing law, with regard to certain state contracts, requires the awarding department to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder meeting or making a good faith effort to meet specified statewide participation goals for disabled veteran business enterprises, except as specified. Existing law requires the Director of Rehabilitation to establish and promote the Business Enterprises Program for the Blind, for the purpose of providing blind persons with remunerative employment, enlarging their economic opportunities, and stimulating them to greater efforts in striving to make themselves self-supporting. A blind person licensed under the program is authorized to operate vending facilities on any property within the state, as specified. This bill, notwithstanding any other law, would require the department to open any subsequent solicitations for bids on contracts relating to the Business Enterprises Program for the Blind to all prospective bidders if, after the initial solicitation, the department is unable to award a contract consistent with the statewide participation goals described above, as specified.