Bill
S 1679
Establishes up to 10% price preference for qualified service-disabled veteran-owned businesses on state-funded contracts; awards to the lowest bid after applying the preference.
Note on source materials
- The supplied packet includes multiple, partly conflicting texts that share the identifier “S 1679.” The primary title you provided is “Establishes price preference program on State contracts for service‑disabled veteran‑owned businesses.” Most substantive language in the packet corresponds to a draft state-level price‑preference bill (text appears to follow New Jersey statutory style). Separately, the packet also contains an unrelated Massachusetts draft (Senate No. 1679) concerning personal data in ammunition transactions. This summary focuses on the price‑preference bill (service‑disabled veteran‑owned businesses) and flags the unrelated Massachusetts text at the end.
Purpose
- Create a procurement price‑preference that gives qualified service‑disabled veteran‑owned businesses (SDVOBs) a competitive advantage when bidding on state contracts funded with state dollars.
Key provisions
- Price preference: State agencies shall give a preference of up to 10% of the contract amount to a qualified SDVOB when awarding publicly advertised, competitively bid contracts paid with state funds.
- Award rule: If an SDVOB meets solicitation requirements and, after applying the preference, is the lowest bidder, the agency shall award the contract to that SDVOB.
- Tie/competition: If two or more qualified SDVOBs are lowest after the preference, the lowest bid among them wins.
- Survivorship: If a disabled‑veteran owner dies during bidding or performance and the surviving spouse acquires the ownership interest, the business remains eligible for the preference for that contract or bidding process.
- Definitions:
- “Disabled veteran” — a state resident certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as having any degree of service‑connected disability.
- “Qualified disabled veterans’ business” — principal place of business in the state; independently owned and operated; at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more disabled veterans; management and daily operations controlled by disabled veteran(s) or, for a veteran with permanent/severe disability, by the spouse.
- Effective date: The bill states it takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Who is affected
- Beneficiaries: State‑based businesses meeting the SDVOB definition (≥51% disabled‑veteran ownership and control).
- State procurement offices and agencies: must apply the price preference when evaluating bids and making award determinations.
- Competing contractors: non‑SDVOB bidders may be displaced on cost competitiveness lines where the 10% preference yields a lower adjusted bid for a qualified SDVOB.
- Taxpayers/public budgets: potential marginal increase in procurement costs depending on degree of preference use and market dynamics.
Procedural status and timeline (as provided)
- Introduced: May 08, 2025 (read twice; referred to Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation).
- Sponsor listed: Rick Scott (primary).
- Related/companion measures: H.R. 5087, SD 1471 (replaces), A 5484.
- Hearings: multiple scheduling entries show hearings set/rescheduled for 10/31/2025 (Gardner Auditorium and virtual).
Notes on unrelated Massachusetts text
- The packet also contains a separate Massachusetts draft (Senate No. 1679 / “FLIGHT Act”) presented by Peter J. Durant that would amend Section 37 of Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 to remove references to “ammunition” in several subsections — an unrelated policy addressing personal data in ammunition transactions. This is not part of the SDVOB price‑preference proposal.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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