Requiring time for public agency review.

Since the length of time it takes to review a project depends upon how complex it is, it is difficult to set a standard amount of time public agencies must take in order to review a proposal. States have implemented a broad range of statutes in this area. Georgia provides the longest period of time, 135 days, for public agencies to review the proposal and solicit competing proposals. Colorado requires 14 days, but then allows public agencies to provide more time, depending upon the complexity of the project. Just as in the requirement of application fees context, states should provide for at least a minimum length of time for public agencies to review proposals but then allow for agencies to grant more time for review of complex projects.

Table 4-2: Proposal Review Process

Code

Provisions

AL

AK

AZ

CA

CO

DE

FL

GA

IN

LA

MD

MN

MO

MS

NV

NC

OR

SC

TN

TX

UT

VA

WA

2-a

Allows Public Agency to Hire Own Consultants

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

2-b

Allows Payments to Unsuccessful Bidders

Y

N

Y

N

N

Y

2-c

Requires Application Fees

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

2-d

Requires Time for Public Review

Y

Y

Y

N

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

2-e

Specifies Evaluation Criteria

N

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

N

N

Y

N

N

N

N

N

N

Y

Y

2-f

Structures Proposal Review Process

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

N

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

Y

Y

N

Y

2-g

Protects Confidentiality of Proposals

N

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

***A cell left blank indicates state legislation does not make an explicit provision regarding that category.