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HB 2148

Modifies requirements for state departments issuing bids when such bids are cancelled

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Travis Wilson

Missouri HB 2148 tightens procurement rules to boost price competitiveness and transparency by expanding competitive bidding, advertising, and disclosure, while allowing negotiated

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
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Bill Summary · HB 2148

Overview

Missouri House Bill 2148 (HB 2148), introduced in the 2026 session, modifies state procurement rules to expand competitive bidding requirements for state contracts, outlines advertising and notice obligations for large purchases, allows certain negotiated contracts under specific circumstances, and adds rules related to bids, contracts with vendors who don’t collect sales/use tax, reverse auctions, and agency procedures. It also grants emergency contracting authority to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for tire site cleanup and establishes transparency requirements if bids are canceled.

Purpose and intent

  • Strengthen competitive bidding for state purchases to ensure price competitiveness and transparency.
  • Provide clearer procedures for advertising, bid solicitation, bid rejection, and potential negotiated contracts when competitive bids are not feasible.
  • Create explicit requirements for information disclosure when a bid is canceled.
  • Enable targeted emergency contracting by the Department of Natural Resources for urgent environmental cleanups.
  • Align procurement practices with tax collection compliance and broader rulemaking oversight.

Key provisions and changes

  • Bidding thresholds and requirements

    • Purchases over $10,000: must be based on competitive bids (with exceptions as provided).
    • Purchases $100,000 or more: the Commissioner of Administration must:
    • Advertise for bids in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation and may advertise in at least two weekly minority newspapers; may use electronic media; may use other methods (including minority business councils) if advantageous.
    • Post a notice of the proposed purchase in the Commissioner's office.
    • Solicit bids by mail or other generally available methods; bids must be received by the Commissioner's office before the bid opening.
    • Contracts awarded to the lowest and best bidder; the Commissioner may reject all bids and re-advertise or purchase on the open market if a better price is available.

  • Negotiated contracts

    • If bids are unreasonable, noncompetitive, or the low bid exceeds available funds and time constraints prevent rebid, a negotiated contract may be pursued.
    • Any responsible bidder from the original solicitation must be notified and given an opportunity to modify their bid or submit a best-and-final offer.
    • Negotiated price must be lower than the lowest rejected bid of any responsible bidder under the original solicitation.

  • Departmental and procedural specifics

    • The Director of the Department of Revenue must follow bidding procedures, with rules as needed; no points awarded for return-to-state terms on certain license office bids.
    • Bids must be based on standard specifications approved by the Commissioner; rules governing delivery, inspection, storage, distribution, and payment of claims, plus bonding requirements, fall under the Commissioner's authority.
    • The Commissioner’s authority to issue rules and conduct bidding is subject to general rulemaking oversight and nonseverability provisions.

  • DNR emergency authority

    • The Department of Natural Resources may enter into contracts up to $500,000 to abate illegal waste tire sites without requiring the usual Commissioner of Administration approval.
    • DNR must follow bidding procedures and may promulgate rules to govern these procedures.

  • Tax compliance

    • The Commissioner of Administration and other agencies may not contract with vendors (or their affiliates) that fail to collect and remit the proper sales/use tax.

  • Reverse auctions

    • The Commissioner may use reverse auctions for procurements where price is the primary factor (excluding certain items). The Office of Administration will set rules for reverse auctions.

  • Bid cancellation disclosures

    • If a bid is canceled, the issuing entity must publish:
    • A justification for the cancellation.
    • Plans and timeframes for reissuing the bid.
    • Plans to include the canceled bid in another bid.
    • Currently available bids that are similar in nature to the canceled bid.

Who/what is affected

  • State agencies and departments involved in purchasing and contracting (e.g., Administration, Department of Revenue).
  • Vendors and prospective bidders for state contracts.
  • The Department of Natural Resources for emergency tire-site cleanup contracts.
  • Minority-owned businesses and other vendors through advertising and outreach provisions.
  • Public and potential bidders via enhanced transparency when bids are canceled.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Bids on purchases over $100,000 must be advertised, notices posted, and bids solicited with specified deadlines before bid openings.
  • Negotiation is allowed only under written determinations when time or circumstances prevent rebid.
  • Canceled bids require public justification and disclosure within the same framework used for other bid processes.
  • DNR emergency contracts up to $500,000 bypass the usual administration-level approval but must follow bidding procedures afterward.
  • Rulemaking and oversight: all new rules created under this statute must comply with chapter 536 and related oversight provisions; nonseverability clauses apply to the bill’s rulemaking and certain provisions.

Practical implications

  • Potentially broader and more public bidding processes for large purchases, with formal advertising and public notices.
  • Greater flexibility for negotiated solutions when bidding is not feasible, but with checks to ensure fairness to bidders.
  • Increased transparency around canceled bids and reissuance plans.
  • New or expanded use of reverse auctions to drive down prices.
  • Enhanced compliance with tax collection requirements in procurement, reducing risk of tax-related violations.

If you’d like, I can compare HB 2148 to current Missouri procurement rules or prepare a one-page brief for policymakers or stakeholders.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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