STATE OF WISCONSIN
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
The State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation proposes an order to amend Trans 515.01, 515.03 (1), (3) and (Note), 515.04 and 515.05, relating to Contractual Service Procurement.
The Statement of Scope for this rule SS 007-14, was approved by the Governor on January 9, 2014, and published in Wisconsin Administrative Register No. 698A, on February 14, 2014, under § 227.185, Stats. Analysis Prepared by the Department of Transportation
Statutes Interpreted
Statutes Interpreted: Wis. Stat. § 84.01 (13) Statutory Authority
Explanation of Statutory Authority
Wisconsin State Statute § 84.01 (13) requires the Department of Transportation (department) to conduct a uniform cost-benefit analysis (CBA) on all proposed contractual expenditures for engineering, consulting, surveying or other specialized services above a statutory threshold amount to show that the proposed service can be performed more economically or efficiently by contract rather than by current state employees or by hiring permanent, project or limited term employees. Each CBA includes the following information: 1) Service Overview, 2) Total Cost, 3) Quality, 4) Technical Expertise and 5) Timeliness. Wisconsin State Statute § 84.01 (13) services was created by 2005 Wisconsin Act 89, which required a CBA for each proposed contractual expenditure of $25,000 or more. 2013 Wisconsin Act 20 increased the statutory threshold amount from $25,000 to $300,000. This rulemaking will conform to 2013 Wisconsin Act 20 by discontinuing the preparation of CBAs for proposed contractual expenditures between $25,000 and $300,000. Related Statutes and Rules
Plain Language Analysis
The department proposes to amend ch. Trans 515 to conform with amendments to Wisconsin Statute § 84.01 (13). 2013 Wisconsin Act 20 (Section 1515m), published July 1, 2013, amended § 84.01 (13) by increasing the minimum value of proposed contractual expenditures for services that require a CBA from $25,000 to $300,000. This rulemaking will conform to 2013 Wisconsin Act 20 by discontinuing the preparation of CBAs for proposed contractual services expenditures between $25,000 and $300,000. Summary of and Comparison with Existing and Proposed Federal Statutes and Regulations
Federal law generally requires procurement of services by low bid, but prohibits the use of low-bid procurement for architect and engineering services. Instead, selection of firms is based upon qualifications, with services acquired by competitive negotiation (Brooks Act). This requirement applies to state agencies. 23 CFR 172.5. The federal acquisition regulations system (FARS) require federal agencies to prepare an independent government estimate of the cost of architect-engineer services and furnish the estimate to the contracting officer before commencing negotiations for each proposed contract or contract modification expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently, $150,000). The estimate must be prepared on the basis of a detailed analysis of the required work as though the government were submitting a proposal. 48 CFR 36.605. This estimate requirement does not apply to state agencies. State transportation agencies receiving federal highway funds must prepare written procedures for its procurement methods for approval by the federal highway administration. These procedures must include, in preparing a scope of work, evaluation factors and cost estimate for selecting a consultant. 23 CFR 172.9. The department is unaware of any federal requirement to compare the cost of those services with the cost of providing those services through public employees. Comparison with Rules in Adjacent States
Michigan: State Administrative Board Resolution 2011-12. All contracts or purchase orders of $250,000 or more must be approved by the State of Administrative Board prior to execution.
Minnesota: Taxpayers’ Transportation Accountability Act (enacted 2008). (Minnesota state statute § 161.3202). This act requires commissioner of transportation to prepare a comprehensive written estimate which compares the cost of having the same work provided by agency employees versus a privatized contract. This comparison needs to be prepared for any privatization contract estimated to be $100,000 or more. Before entering privatization transportation contract of $250,000 or more, the commissioner must determine that cost of services provided by the contract is lower than the cost of agency employees. Illinois: No similar rule in place.
Iowa: No similar rule in place.
Summary of Factual Data and Analytical Methodologies
Amending Trans 515 will conform with July 2013 legislative amendments to Wis. Stat. § 84.01 (13). The department declines to prepare CBAs for contractual services procurements between $25,000 and $300,000 because of the cost and difficulty preparing CBAs that fall below the minimum cost threshold required by law. Analysis and Supporting Documents used to Determine Effect on Small Business or in Preparation of an Economic Impact Analysis
No effect.
Effect on Small Business
