Citations Affected: IC 8-10.
Synopsis: Ports of Indiana procurement and public works. Increases
the threshold at which the ports of Indiana (ports) is required to
publicly bid construction projects or purchases of equipment, materials,
and supplies from $25,000 to $150,000. Provides that a contract for
construction or for the purchase of materials or supplies, may proceed
immediately after the ports approves the contract. Provides the grounds
by which an emergency may be declared by the governing body of the
ports and requires the reason for the declaration of emergency to be
recorded in the governing body's minutes. Provides that if an
emergency is declared, the ports may: (1) contract for a construction
project or the purchase of equipment, materials, or supplies, without
advertising for bids, if bids or quotes are invited from at least three
persons; (2) reject all bids or quotes submitted; and (3) contract with
the lowest and best bidder or quoter for the construction project or
purchase. Prohibits the ports, in the absence of a declared emergency,
from making separate contracts for a construction project or purchase
of equipment, if the aggregate of the contracts is more than $150,000
(instead of $25,000).
Effective: May 15, 2013.
January 23, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Government and Regulatory
Reform.
February 19, 2013, amended, reported _ Do Pass.
February 21, 2013, read second time, amended, ordered engrossed.
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning state
and local administration.
the ports of Indiana. However, no such action shall be deemed
commenced until a copy of the summons and complaint, cross
complaint, petition, bill, or pleading is served upon the attorney
general of Indiana.
(4) To acquire, lease, construct, maintain, repair, police, and
operate a port or project as provided in this chapter, and to
establish rules and regulations for the use of the port or project,
and other property subject to the jurisdiction and control of the
ports of Indiana.
(5) To issue both taxable and tax exempt revenue bonds of the
state, payable solely from revenues, as herein provided, for the
purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of a port or project.
(6) To acquire, lease, and operate tug boats, locomotives, and any
and every kind of motive power and conveyances or appliances
necessary or proper to carry passengers, goods, wares,
merchandise, or articles of commerce in, on, or around the port or
project.
(7) To fix and revise from time to time and to collect fees, rentals,
tolls, and other charges for the use of any port or project.
(8) To acquire, obtain option on, hold, and dispose of real and
personal property in the exercise of its powers and the
performance of its duties under this chapter.
(9) To designate the location and establish, limit, and control
points of ingress to and egress from a port or project.
(10) To lease to others for development or operation such portions
of any port or project, on such terms and conditions as the ports
of Indiana shall deem advisable.
(11) To make and enter into all contracts, undertakings, and
agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its
duties and the execution of its powers under this chapter. Except
as provided in section 29 of this chapter, when the cost of any
such contract for construction, or for the purchase of equipment,
materials, or supplies, involves an expenditure of more than
twenty-five one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($25,000),
($150,000), the ports of Indiana shall make a written contract with
the lowest and best bidder after advertisement for not less than
two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation
in the county where the construction will occur and in such other
publications as the ports of Indiana shall determine. The notice
shall state the general character of the work and the general
character of the materials to be furnished, the place where plans
and specifications therefor may be examined, and the time and
place of receiving bids. Each bid shall contain the full name of
every person or company interested in it and shall be
accompanied by a sufficient bond or certified check on a solvent
bank that if the bid is accepted a contract will be entered into and
the performance of its proposal secured. The ports of Indiana may
reject any and all bids. A bond with good and sufficient surety as
shall be approved by the ports of Indiana shall be required of all
contractors in an amount equal to at least fifty percent (50%) of
the contract price conditioned upon the faithful performance of
the contract. A contract for construction or a contract for the
purchase of materials or supplies requires only the approval
of the commission. Upon the ports of Indiana's approval of a
contract, the ports of Indiana may immediately proceed with
the construction or purchase.
(12) To construct, assemble, or otherwise build, own, lease,
operate, manage, or otherwise control any project throughout
Indiana for the purpose of promoting economic growth and
development throughout Indiana, retaining existing employment
within Indiana, and attracting new employment opportunities
within Indiana.
(13) To employ a chief executive, consulting engineers,
superintendents, and such other engineers, construction and
accounting experts, attorneys, and other employees and agents as
may be necessary in its judgment, and to fix their compensation
and title, but no compensation of any employee of the ports of
Indiana shall exceed the compensation of the highest paid officer
or employee of the state.
(14) To receive and accept from any federal agency grants for or
in aid of the construction of any port or project, and to receive and
accept aid or contributions from any source of either money,
property, labor, or other things of value, to be held, used, and
applied only for the purposes for which such grants and
contributions may be made.
(15) To provide coverage for its employees under the provisions
of IC 22-3-2 through IC 22-3-6, and IC 22-4.
(16) To do all acts and things necessary or proper to carry out the
powers expressly granted in this article.
(17) To hold, use, administer, and expend such sum or sums as
may herein or hereafter be appropriated or transferred to the ports
of Indiana.
MAY 15, 2013]: Sec. 29. (a) The ports of Indiana may declare an
emergency:
(1) in the case of fire, flood, windstorm, casualty, or other
extraordinary emergency, including mechanical failure of any
part of a building or structure; and
(2) if the health, safety, or welfare of the public or necessary
governmental operations are endangered by loss or damage.
The ports of Indiana shall declare an emergency by recording the
declaration and grounds for the emergency in the minutes of the
commission.
(b) Unless the ports of Indiana declares an emergency, the ports of
Indiana may not during any six (6) month period make separate
contracts with another party for similar construction projects or the
purchase of similar equipment, materials, or supplies under
IC 8-10-1-7(5) without advertising for and accepting public bids, if the
aggregate cost of the separate contracts is more than twenty-five one
hundred fifty thousand dollars ($25,000). ($150,000).
(b) (c) A commission member or an employee of the ports of
Indiana who knowingly violates subsection (a) (b) commits a Class D
felony.
(c) (d) A person who accepts a contract with the ports of Indiana
knowing that subsection (a) (b) was violated in connection with the
contract commits a Class D felony and may not be a party to or benefit
from any contract with a public body in the state for two (2) years from
the date of the person's conviction.
(e) If the ports of Indiana declares an emergency, the ports of
Indiana may:
(1) contract for a construction project or the purchase of
equipment, materials, or supplies, without advertising for
bids, if bids or quotes are invited from at least three (3)
persons known to deal in:
(A) the public work required to be done; or
(B) the equipment, materials, or supplies sought to be
purchased; and
(2) either:
(A) reject all bids or quotes submitted; or
(B) contract with the lowest and best bidder or quoter for
the construction project or purchase.