§ 20-50 — Specifications

Specifications shall be prepared in accordance with consistent standards that are promulgated by the chief procurement officer and reviewed by the Board and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. Those standards shall include a prohibition against the use of brand-name only products, except for products intended for retail sale or as specified by rule. All specifications shall seek to promote overall economy for the purposes intended and encourage competition in satisfying the State's needs and shall not be unduly restrictive. A solicitation or specification for a contract or a contract, including but not limited to of a college, university, or institution under the jurisdiction of a governing board listed in Section 1-15.100, may not require, stipulate, suggest, or encourage a monetary or other financial contribution or donation, cash bonus or incentive, economic investment, or other prohibited conduct as an explicit or implied term or condition for awarding or completing the contract. The contract, solicitation, or specification also may not include a requirement that an individual or individuals employed by such a college, university, or institution receive a consulting contract for professional services. As used in this Section, "prohibited conduct" includes requested payments or other consideration by a third party to the university or State agency that is not part of the solicitation or that is unrelated to the subject matter or purpose of the solicitation. "Prohibited conduct" does not include a payment from the vendor that is supported by additional consideration (such as exclusive rights to sell items or rights to advertise), other than the consideration of the State's awarding a contract to purchase of goods and services.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 98-1076, eff. 1-1-15 .)