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PS 1266

“Para enmendar la Sección 3.19 de la Ley Núm. 38-2017, según enmendada, conocida como la “Ley de Procedimiento Administrativo Uniforme del Gobierno de Puerto Rico”; enmendar los Artículos 32 y 53 de la Ley Núm. 73-2019, según enmendada, conocida como la “Ley de la Administración de Servicios Generales para la Centralización de las Compras del Gobierno de Puerto Rico de 2019”; a los fines de establecer requisitos uniformes y obligatorios para las notificaciones de adjudicación emitidas en procesos de licitación pública, incluyendo subastas formales, subastas informales, solicitudes de propuestas, solicitudes de propuestas selladas, requerimientos de propuestas, solicitudes de cualificaciones, requerimientos de cualificaciones y procedimientos análogos; requerir advertencias claras sobre los términos y foros disponibles para solicitar revisión administrativa, reconsideración o revisión judicial, según corresponda; disponer el efecto jurídico de una notificación defectuosa sobre el inicio de los términos jurisdiccionales; ordenar la preparación y adopción de modelos uniformes de notificación; establecer deberes de reglamentación y coordinación interagencial; y para otros fines relacionados.”

2025-2028 Session

The bill standardizes and enforces uniform, transparent adjudication notices across all public procurements, ensuring timely reviews and clear remedies for bidders.

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Bill Summary · PS 1266

Overview

PS 1266 (Session 2025-2028, Puerto Rico) seeks to harmonize and strengthen the uniform notification requirements for all public bidding processes. It amends the Administrative Procedure Uniform Law (Law 38-2017) and the General Services Administration/Centralization of Government Purchases Law (Law 73-2019) to establish clear, uniform, and mandatory notice content for adjudications in public procurements, including formal/informal auctions, RFPs, RFQs, solid qualifications requests, and related processes. It also directs the preparation of uniform notification templates and enhances interagency coordination and regulatory duties.

  • Purpose: Ensure fair notice, transparency, and timely access to administrative or judicial review for bidders and proponents, reducing delays and litigation stemming from defective or unclear adjudication notices.
  • Context: Builds on prior amendments to align procedural rules for public procurement processes and review avenues, addressing gaps highlighted by case law (e.g., RedMane Technology, LLC v. Dept. of Health) about the consequences of defective notices.

Key Provisions

  • Section 3.19 (Law 38-2017) – Uniform notice requirement for public bidding processes:

    • Applies to all public bidding processes (including municipal bids per Law 107-2020) and to exempt entities under Law 73-2019.
    • Affected party may file administrative review with the Junta Revisora de Subastas (JRS) within 10 days of adjudication notice.
    • If the JRS acoge the administrative request, an additional 30 days (extendable once by 15 days) for adjudication is provided; judicial review timelines begin from notice of the JRS decision.
    • If the JRS fails to act within prescribed terms, the administrative review is deemed denied, and the party may proceed to judicial review.
    • Administrative review is a jurisdictional prerequisite before judicial review; the scheme clarifies when reconsideration or other remedies apply.

  • Section 32 (Law 73-2019) – General provisions on bidding processes:

    • Admin will establish rules/regulations for specific bidding methods; adjudications by the Junta de Subastas may be reviewed by the JRS.
    • Admin may cancel auctions or portions before/after adjudication for government interests.
    • Final adjudication must be properly notified, with cross-reference to procedural rules and uniform notification requirements.
    • Notificación de adjudicación must include a minimum set of details (see detailed list below).

  • Section 53 (Law 73-2019) – Final determination and notification:

    • Junta de Subastas must notify its final determination following uniform notification procedures.
    • Notification content mirrors the requirements listed for Section 3.19, including availability of remedies and timelines, and a clear articulation of the effect of notices on review periods.

  • Section 4 – Uniform notification models:

    • The Administration of General Services (ASG) and the Department of Justice will prepare and publish uniform notification templates within 90 days of enactment.
    • Models cover: informal/formal auctions, RFPs, sealed proposals, RFQs, qualifications requests, processes subject to administrative review, processes not subject to administrative review, reconsideration, direct judicial review, entities exempt under Law 73-2019, and other special regimes.

  • Section 5 – Regulation:

    • ASG to amend the Uniform Regulations for Purchases and Auctions within 120 days to incorporate uniform notification requirements.
    • DOJ will provide legal assistance in developing the models and reviewing processing notices.

  • Section 6 – Application to exempt entities and special laws:

    • Exempt entities under Law 73-2019 must adopt compatible notification models.
    • If special laws dictate different procedures, agencies must adapt but still include clear notices about forum, timing, and remedies.
    • Federal funding conditions remain intact; otherwise, the uniform requirements apply where consistent.

  • Section 7 – Effect of defective notices:

    • Notices that omit/contradict/incorrectly state key terms will not trigger jurisdictional review periods until a corrected notice is issued (within up to 10 business days from defect awareness).
    • Corrected notices do not alter substantive adjudication grounds unless the agency consciously revises the outcome.

  • Section 8 – Interpretation; Section 9 – Severability; Section 10 – Effective date:

    • Intended to be read in harmony with due process, transparency, and efficiency.
    • Effective immediately upon enactment.

Who Is Affected

  • Public agencies and instrumentalities engaged in procurement and bidding activities under Law 73-2019 (including centralization and auctions).
  • Exempt entities under Law 73-2019, professional services engaged through competitive mechanisms, and municipal processes covered by Law 107-2020.
  • Bidders, proposers, and offerors who participate in public procurements.
  • Administrative bodies: Junta Revisora de Subastas, and the ASG; Department of Justice provides guidance.
  • The general public has enhanced access to transparent adjudication notices and review processes.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Notification timing: 10-day administrative review window after adjudication; judicial review window of 20 days post-notice of administrative decision, or after the JRS decision, as applicable.
  • Corrective notices: If a notice is defective, the agency has up to 10 days to issue a corrected notice; review periods do not start until corrected notice is issued.
  • Models: Uniform notification templates must be published within 90 days; regulatory amendments within 120 days.
  • Interplay of remedies: Reconsideration (agency level) vs. administrative review (JRS) vs. judicial review (Court of Appeals) remains clarified, with mandatory prerequisites where applicable.
  • Compliance: Agencies must ensure notices are written, grounded, uniform, and informative about all remedies, timelines, and participating parties.

Practical Impact

  • Improves clarity and consistency of adjudication notices across procurement methods.
  • Reduces procedural disputes stemming from ambiguous or incomplete notices.
  • Enhances transparency around evaluation criteria, grounds for awarding, and available remedies.
  • Promotes efficiency by reducing avoidable litigation and delays in public procurement.

If you’d like, I can provide a concise bullet-point checklist of the required notice elements for quick reference or map how the timelines interact for a hypothetical bid.

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

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