Legislation also will promote sustainable goods

SANTA FE – Legislation introduced in the state Senate will promote New Mexico businesses by allowing state and local governments to award contracts for goods and services only to in-state  companies. 

The measure, Senate Bill 53, is part of the General Services Department’s Buy New Mexico campaign, an initiative to drive more government contracting dollars to New Mexico businesses. 

“This bill will keep more New Mexico taxpayer dollars in New Mexico, helping homegrown businesses grow and create jobs for New Mexicans as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,”  said General Services Secretary Ken Ortiz. 

The legislation also will promote purchases of recycled and other sustainable goods, reducing the carbon footprint of state and local governments and cutting climate-warming greenhouse  gas emissions. 

“Senate Bill 53 is good for New Mexico businesses and good for the environment,” Ortiz said.  “That is a double bonus for all New Mexicans.” 

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has made growing the state’s economy, creating jobs and  addressing climate change priorities of her administration. 

The General Services Department has been a leader in climate-change initiatives, installing rooftop and carport solar panels at state buildings in Santa Fe, purchasing electric vehicles for its Motor Pool for state agencies and constructing electric vehicle charging stations. 

Senate Bill 53 will make several changes to the state Procurement Code and related laws that govern billions of dollars in purchasing each year by state and local governments. The State Purchasing Division of the General Services Department is responsible for most state  government procurements of goods and services.

The General Services Department is the support agency for state government, providing facility management, printing services, procurement, public employee health and other benefits, liability coverage for public agencies and transportation services. 

The major provisions of Senate Bill 53 will: 

• Create an advantage for resident women- and minority-owned businesses and for resident tribal-owned businesses when bidding on government contracts. Only resident businesses and resident veteran-owned businesses currently have bidding advantages. 
• Extend the bidding advantage for resident veteran businesses. That advantage is now set to expire in 2022. 
• Allow a purchasing office in state or local government to restrict contract awards to small businesses or New Mexico businesses. 
• Establish a bidding advantage for businesses offering sustainable goods. Currently, the bidding advantage is limited to businesses offering only recycled goods.
• Require a state or local purchasing office to buy recycled or other sustainable goods when the cost of the goods is no more than 10 percent higher than comparable conventional goods.
• Authorize a state or local purchasing office to solicit bids and enter into contracts exclusively for recycled and other sustainable goods. 

Sen. Bill B. O’Neill, D-Albuquerque, is the sponsor of Senate Bill 53.