Santa Clara Valley Water District: contracts: best value procurement.

Existing law authorizes certain local entities to select a bidder for a contract on the basis of "best value," as defined. Existing law governs various types of contract procedures applicable to the Santa Clara Valley Water District and prescribes competitive bidding procedures for any improvement or unit of work over $50,000. This bill would authorize the district, upon approval by the board of directors of the district, to award contracts on a best value basis for any work of the Anderson Dam project, defined to include prescribed activities and works of construction with regard to the Leroy Anderson Dam and Reservoir and certain fish and aquatic habitat measures described in a federal-state settlement agreement. The bill would require the district, if the board elects to award contracts on a best value basis, to comply with specified requirements governing the documents prepared, setting forth the scope and estimated price of the project and the request for qualifications, with bids evaluated using only the criteria and selection procedures identified in the procurement process documents. The bill would prohibit an Anderson Dam project contractor from being prequalified, shortlisted, or awarded a contract unless the contractor provides an enforceable commitment to the district that the contractor and its subcontractors at every tier will use a skilled and trained workforce to perform all work on the project, in accordance with certain criteria. By requiring certain information of bidders to be certified under penalty of perjury, the bill would expand an existing crime, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Santa Clara Valley Water District. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.