Legislature(2003 - 2004)
2004-03-26 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2004-03-26 Senate Journal Page 2661 SB 380 SENATE BILL NO. 380 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the extension under the State Procurement Code of terms for leases for real estate and certain terms for certain state contracts for goods and services; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Administration Governor's transmittal letter dated March 24: Dear President Therriault: Under the authority of article III, section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the extension of terms for leases and terms for contracts for goods and services under the State Procurement Code. 2004-03-26 Senate Journal Page 2662 This bill would make several changes to the State Procurement Code. Section one of the bill would authorize the state to negotiate lease rate reductions on existing leases in exchange for certain term extensions when favorable lease rates are available. The current process only authorizes lease extensions if the property owner agrees to either (1) reduce the lease rate by ten percent and perform modifications to bring the property into Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, or (2) reduce the lease rate by 15 percent. The problem is, the current process does not take into account whether the current lease rate is already below market. Due to market conditions and current lease rates, this high discount is often not acceptable to property owners. Many of our current lease rates are already below market and leave the lessor unwilling to meet the 10 or 15 percent reduction to extend the lease. In fact, only a small percentage of lease extensions have been negotiated under the existing provisions. The only option left for the state is to issue a new request for proposals. Often this results in additional moving costs and market rates, which can represent a substantial increase in costs to the state. The method proposed in this bill would ensure that the state receives the best value for its leasing dollars. Lease extensions would only be authorized where the rates are a minimum of five percent below market. This would allow the state to maintain its presence in leases which are already well below market rates. Additional savings beyond the five percent would be negotiated depending on a number of factors such as location, current market value, existing vacancies, and market trends. The bill also would authorize term extensions for up to five years for contracts for goods and services provided a minimum cost savings of at least five percent could be achieved on the price of the goods or services as set in the current contract. Under present law, at the end of the contract term, contracts for goods or services must be resolicited through a competitive process or a new contract awarded based upon alternative procurement methods regardless of price reductions that may be offered by the contractor if the contract were extended. 2004-03-26 Senate Journal Page 2663 I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely yours, /s/ Frank H. Murkowski Governor