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The Legislative Service Commission staff updates the Revised Code on an ongoing basis, as it completes its act review of enacted legislation. Updates may be slower during some times of the year, depending on the volume of enacted legislation.

Chapter 125 | Department of Administrative Services - Office Services

 
 
 
Section
Section 125.01 | Department of administrative services - office services definitions.
 

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Order" means a copy of a contract or a statement of the nature of a contemplated expenditure, a description of the property or supplies to be purchased or service to be performed, other than a service performed by officers and regular employees of the state, and per diem of the national guard, and the total sum of the expenditure to be made therefor, if the sum is fixed and ascertained, otherwise the estimated sum thereof, and an authorization to pay for the contemplated expenditure, signed by the person instructed and authorized to pay upon receipt of a proper invoice.

(B) "Invoice" means an itemized listing showing delivery of the supplies or performance of the service described in the order including all of the following:

(1) The date of the purchase or rendering of the service;

(2) An itemization of the things done, material supplied, or labor furnished;

(3) The sum due pursuant to the contract or obligation.

(C) "Products" means materials, supplies, merchandise, goods, wares, and foodstuffs.

(D) "Produced" means the manufacturing, processing, mining, developing, and making of a thing into a new article with a distinct character in use through the application of input, within the state or a state bordering Ohio, of Buy Ohio products, labor, skill, or other services. "Produced" does not include the mere assembling or putting together of products or materials from outside of Ohio or a state bordering Ohio.

(E) "Buy Ohio products" means products that are mined, excavated, produced, manufactured, raised, or grown in the state or a state bordering Ohio where the input of Buy Ohio products, labor, skill, or other services constitutes no less than twenty-five per cent of the manufactured cost. With respect to mined products, such products shall be mined or excavated in this state or a state bordering Ohio.

(F) "Purchase" means to buy, rent, lease, lease purchase, or otherwise acquire supplies or services. "Purchase" also includes all functions that pertain to the obtaining of supplies or services, including description of requirements, selection and solicitation of sources, preparation and award of contracts, all phases of contract administration, and receipt and acceptance of the supplies and services and payment for them.

(G) "Services" means the furnishing of labor, time, or effort by a person, not involving the delivery of a specific end product other than a report which, if provided, is merely incidental to the required performance. "Services" does not include services furnished pursuant to employment agreements or collective bargaining agreements.

(H) "Supplies" means all property, including, but not limited to, equipment, materials, and other tangible assets, but excluding real property or an interest in real property.

(I) "Competitive selection" means any of the following procedures for making purchases:

(1) Competitive sealed bidding under section 125.07 of the Revised Code;

(2) Competitive sealed proposals under section 125.071 of the Revised Code;

(3) Reverse auctions under section 125.072 of the Revised Code;

(4) Electronic procurement under section 125.073 of the Revised Code.

(J) "Direct purchasing authority" means the authority of a state agency to make a purchase without competitive selection pursuant to sections 125.05 and 127.16 of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 9:33 AM

Section 125.02 | Authority to purchase supplies and services - rules.
 

(A) The department of administrative services shall establish contracts for supplies and services, including telephone, other telecommunications, and computer services, for the use of state agencies, and may establish such contracts for the use of any political subdivision as described in division (B) of section 125.04 of the Revised Code, except for the following:

(1) The adjutant general for military supplies and services;

(2) The general assembly;

(3) The judicial branch;

(4) State institutions of higher education;

(5) State elected officials as set forth in section 125.041 of the Revised Code;

(6) The capitol square review and advisory board.

The entities set forth in divisions (A)(l) to (6) of this section may request the department of administrative services' assistance in the procurement of supplies and services for their respective offices and, upon the department's approval, may participate in contracts awarded by the department.

(B) For purchases under division (C) of section 125.05 of the Revised Code, the department shall grant a state agency a release and permit to make the purchase if the department determines that it is not possible or advantageous for the department to make a purchase.

(C) Upon request, the department may grant a blanket release and permit to a state agency for specific purchases. The department may grant the blanket release and permit for a fiscal year or for a biennium as determined by the director of administrative services.

(D) The director of administrative services shall adopt rules regarding circumstances and criteria for obtaining a release and permit under this section. The director of administrative services shall prescribe uniform rules governing forms of specifications, advertisements for proposals, the opening of bids, the making of awards and contracts, and the purchase of supplies and performance of work.

(E) The director may participate in cooperative purchasing with the following:

(1) The entities set forth in divisions (A)(1) to (6) of this section;

(2) One or more other states;

(3) Groups of states;

(4) The United States or any department, division, or agency of the United States;

(5) Other purchasing consortia;

(6) The department of transportation; or

(7) Any political subdivision of this state described in division (B) of section 125.04 of the Revised Code.

(F) The United States or any department, division, or agency of the United States, one or more other states, groups of states, other purchasing consortia, or any agency, commission, or authority established under an interstate compact or agreement may purchase supplies and services from contracts established by the department of administrative services.

(G) Except as provided in section 125.04 of the Revised Code, the department of administrative services shall purchase any policy of insurance, including a surety or fidelity bond, covering officers or employees of a state agency, for which the annual premium is more than one thousand dollars and which the state may procure. The department shall purchase the insurance in conformity with sections 125.04 to 125.15 of the Revised Code. As used in this division, "annual premium" means the total premium for one year for one type of insurance regardless of the number of policies.

Last updated August 4, 2021 at 10:51 AM

Section 125.035 | Requisite procurement programs.
 

(A) Except as otherwise provided in the Revised Code, a state agency wanting to purchase supplies or services shall make the purchase subject to the requirements of an applicable first or second requisite procurement program described in this section, or obtain a determination from the department of administrative services that the purchase is not subject to a first or second requisite procurement program. State agencies shall submit a purchase request to the department of administrative services unless the department has determined the request does not require a review. The director of administrative services shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to provide for the manner of carrying out the function and the power and duties imposed upon and vested in the director by this section.

(B) The following programs are first requisite procurement programs that shall be given preference in the following order in fulfilling a purchase request:

(1) Ohio penal industries within the department of rehabilitation and correction;

(2) Community rehabilitation programs administered by the department of administrative services under sections 125.601 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code;

(3) Ohio-based personal protective equipment manufacturers program established by the director of administrative services under section 125.036 of the Revised Code.

(C) The following programs are second requisite procurement programs that may be able to fulfill the purchase request if the first requisite procurement programs are unable to do so:

(1) Business enterprise program at the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency as prescribed in sections 3304.28 to 3304.33 of the Revised Code;

(2) Office of information technology at the department of administrative services as established in section 125.18 of the Revised Code;

(3) Office of state printing and mail services at the department of administrative services as prescribed in Chapter 125. of the Revised Code;

(4) Ohio pharmacy services at the department of mental health and addiction services as prescribed in section 5119.44 of the Revised Code;

(5) Ohio facilities construction commission established in section 123.20 of the Revised Code; and

(6) Any other program within, or administered by, a state agency that, by law, requires purchases to be made by, or with the approval of, the state agency.

(D) Upon receipt of a purchase request, the department of administrative services shall provide the requesting agency a notification of receipt of the purchase request. The department then shall determine whether the request can be fulfilled through a first requisite procurement program. In making the determination, the department may consult with each of the first requisite procurement programs. When the department has made its determination, it shall:

(1) Direct the requesting agency to obtain the desired supplies or services through the proper first requisite procurement program;

(2) Provide the agency with a waiver from the use of the applicable first requisite procurement programs under sections 125.609 or 5147.07 of the Revised Code; or

(3) Determine whether the purchase can be fulfilled through a second requisite procurement program under division (E) of this section.

(E) In making the determination that a purchase is subject to a second requisite procurement program, the department shall identify potentially applicable programs and notify each program of the requested purchase. The notified second requisite procurement program shall respond to the department within two business days with regard to its ability to provide the requested purchase. If the second requisite procurement program can provide the requested purchase, the department shall direct the requesting agency to make the requested purchase from the appropriate second requisite procurement program. If the department has not received notification from a second requisite procurement program within two business days and the department has made the determination that the purchase is not subject to a second requisite procurement program, the department shall provide a waiver to the requesting agency.

(F) Within five business days after receipt of a request, the department shall notify the requesting agency of its determination and provide any waiver under divisions (D) or (E) of this section. If the department fails to respond within five business days or fails to provide an explanation for any further delay within that time, the requesting agency may use direct purchasing authority to make the requested purchase, subject to the requirements of division (G) of this section, division (F) of section 125.05, and section 127.16 of the Revised Code.

(G) As provided in sections 125.02 and 125.05 of the Revised Code and subject to such rules as the director of administrative services may adopt, the department may issue a release and permit to the agency to secure supplies or services. A release and permit shall specify the supplies or services to which it applies, the time during which it is operative, and the reason for its issuance. A release and permit for telephone, other telecommunications, and computer services shall be provided in accordance with section 125.18 of the Revised Code and shall specify the type of services to be rendered, the number and type of hardware to be used, and may specify the amount of such services to be performed. The director may issue a release and permit for the purchase of personal protective equipment from a foreign personal protective equipment manufacturer, if purchasing from an Ohio-based personal protective equipment manufacturer would result in the state agency paying a price that is one hundred twenty per cent or higher than the price that is available from the foreign supplier. No requesting agency shall proceed with such purchase until it has received an approved release and permit from the director of administrative services or the director's designee.

Last updated September 28, 2023 at 4:39 PM

Section 125.036 | Ohio-based personal protective equipment manufacturers program.
 

(A) As used in this section:

"Ohio-based personal protective equipment manufacturer" means a manufacturer, at least two-thirds of the beneficial ownership of which is vested in residents of this state, that produces personal protective equipment in this state.

"Personal protective equipment" has the meaning defined in division (E) of section 125.05 of the Revised Code.

(B) The director of administrative services shall establish and maintain an Ohio-based personal protective equipment manufacturers program. Under the program, the director shall establish and maintain a list of Ohio-based personal protective equipment manufacturers qualified to fulfill a purchase request under division (B)(3) of section 125.035 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 5:16 PM

Section 125.04 | Determining what supplies and services are purchased by or for state agencies.
 

(A) Except for the requirements of division (B) of this section, section 125.092, and division (B) of section 125.11 of the Revised Code, sections 125.04 to 125.08 and 125.09 to 125.15 of the Revised Code do not apply to or affect state institutions of higher education.

(B)(1) As used in this division:

(a) "Chartered nonpublic school" has the same meaning as in section 3310.01 of the Revised Code.

(b) "Emergency medical service organization" has the same meaning as in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code.

(c) "Governmental agency" means a political subdivision or special district in this state or any other state established by or under law, or any combination of these entities; the United States or any department, division, or agency of the United States; one or more other states or groups of states; other purchasing consortia; and any agency, commission, or authority established under an interstate compact or agreement.

(d) "Political subdivision" means any county, township, municipal corporation, school district, conservancy district, township park district, park district created under Chapter 1545. of the Revised Code, regional transit authority, regional airport authority, regional water and sewer district, or port authority. "Political subdivision" also includes any other political subdivision described in the Revised Code that has been approved by the department of administrative services to participate in the department's contracts under this division.

(e) "Private fire company" has the same meaning as in section 9.60 of the Revised Code.

(f) "State institution of higher education" has the meaning defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.

(2) Subject to division (C) of this section, the department of administrative services may permit a state institution of higher education, governmental agency, political subdivision, private fire company, private, nonprofit emergency medical service organization, or chartered nonpublic school to participate in contracts into which the department has entered for the purchase of supplies and services. The department may charge the entity a reasonable fee to cover the administrative costs the department incurs as a result of participation by the entity in such a purchase contract.

A political subdivision desiring to participate in such purchase contracts shall file with the department a certified copy of an ordinance or resolution of the legislative authority or governing board of the political subdivision. The resolution or ordinance shall request that the political subdivision be authorized to participate in such contracts and shall agree that the political subdivision will be bound by such terms and conditions as the department prescribes and that it will directly pay the vendor under each purchase contract. A private fire company, private, nonprofit emergency medical service organization, or chartered nonpublic school desiring to participate in such purchase contracts shall file with the department a written request for inclusion in the program signed by the chief officer of the company, organization, or chartered nonpublic school. A governmental agency desiring to participate in such purchase contracts shall file with the department a written request for inclusion in the program. A state institution of higher education desiring to participate in such purchase contracts shall file with the department a certified copy of resolution of the board of trustees or similar authorizing body. The resolution shall request that the state institution of higher education be authorized to participate in such contracts.

A request for inclusion shall include an agreement to be bound by such terms and conditions as the department prescribes and to make direct payments to the vendor under each purchase contract.

(3) The board of elections of a county that is authorized to participate in contracts under division (B)(2) of this section may participate in contracts under that division under the same terms and conditions that apply to the county.

(4) The department shall include in its annual report, an estimate of the purchases made by state institutions of higher education, governmental agencies, political subdivisions, boards of elections, private fire companies, private, nonprofit emergency medical service organizations, and chartered nonpublic schools from contracts pursuant to this division. The department may require such entities to file a report with the department, as often as it finds necessary, stating how many such contracts the entities participated in within a specified period of time, and any other information the department requires.

(5) Purchases made by a political subdivision or a board of elections under this division are exempt from any competitive selection procedures otherwise required by law. No political subdivision shall make any purchase under this division when bids have been received for such purchase by the subdivision, unless such purchase can be made upon the same terms, conditions, and specifications at a lower price under division (B)(2) of this section.

(C) A political subdivision as defined in division (B) of this section or a board of elections may purchase supplies or services from another party, including a political subdivision, instead of through participation in contracts described in division (B) of this section if the political subdivision or board of elections can purchase those supplies or services from the other party upon equivalent terms, conditions, and specifications but at a lower price than it can through those contracts. Purchases that a political subdivision or board of elections makes under this division are exempt from any competitive selection procedures otherwise required by law. A political subdivision or board of elections that makes any purchase under this division shall maintain sufficient information regarding the purchase to verify that the political subdivision or board of elections satisfied the conditions for making a purchase under this division. Nothing in this division restricts any action taken by a county or township as authorized by division (B)(1) of section 9.48 of the Revised Code.

(D) This section does not apply to supplies or services purchased by a state agency directly as provided in section 125.05 of the Revised Code, or to purchases of supplies or services for the emergency management agency or other state agencies as provided in section 125.061 of the Revised Code.

Last updated August 3, 2023 at 2:45 PM

Section 125.041 | Purchases by state elected officials.
 

(A) Nothing in sections 125.02, 125.04 to 125.08, 125.12 to 125.16, 125.18, 125.31 to 125.76, or 125.831 of the Revised Code shall be construed as limiting the attorney general, auditor of state, secretary of state, or treasurer of state in any of the following:

(1) Purchases for less than the dollar amounts for the purchase of supplies or services determined under section 125.05 of the Revised Code;

(2) Purchases that equal or exceed the dollar amounts for the purchase of supplies or services determined under section 125.05 of the Revised Code with the approval of the controlling board, if that approval is required by section 127.16 of the Revised Code;

(3) The final determination of the nature or quantity of any purchase of supplies or services under division (B) of section 125.02 or under division (G) of section 125.035 of the Revised Code;

(4) The final determination and disposal of excess and surplus supplies;

(5) The inventory of state property;

(6) The purchase of printing;

(7) Activities related to information technology development and use;

(8) The fleet management program.

(B) Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing the attorney general, auditor of state, secretary of state, or treasurer of state from complying with or participating in any aspect of Chapter 125. of the Revised Code through the department of administrative services.

Last updated August 3, 2023 at 2:45 PM

Section 125.05 | Competitive selection.
 

No state agency shall purchase any supplies or services except as provided in this section and section 127.16 of the Revised Code. When exercising direct purchasing authority the agency shall utilize a selection process that complies with all applicable laws, rules, or regulations of the department of administrative services.

(A) A state agency may, without competitive selection, make any purchase of supplies or services that cost less than fifty thousand dollars after complying with divisions (A) to (E) of section 125.035 of the Revised Code. The agency may make the purchase directly or may make the purchase from or through the department of administrative services, whichever the agency determines. The agency shall adopt written procedures consistent with the department's purchasing procedures and shall use those procedures when making purchases under this division.

Section 127.16 of the Revised Code does not apply to purchases made under this division.

(B) A state agency shall make purchases of supplies and services that cost fifty thousand dollars or more through the department of administrative services and the process provided in section 125.035 of the Revised Code, unless the department grants a waiver and a release and permit under that section.

(C) An agency that has been granted a release and permit under section 125.035 of the Revised Code to make a purchase may make the purchase without competitive selection if after making the purchase the cumulative purchase threshold as computed under division (E) of section 127.16 of the Revised Code would:

(1) Be exceeded and the controlling board approves the purchase;

(2) Not be exceeded and the department of administrative services approves the purchase.

(D) An agency that has been granted a release and permit under section 125.035 of the Revised Code to make a purchase may make the purchase by utilizing the electronic procurement system established by the department of administrative services under section 125.073 of the Revised Code.

(E) If the department of education and workforce or the Ohio education computer network determines that it can purchase software services or supplies for specified school districts at a price less than the price for which the districts could purchase the same software services or supplies for themselves, the department or network shall certify that fact to the department of administrative services and, acting as an agent for the specified school districts, shall make that purchase without following the provisions in divisions (A) to (D) of this section.

(F) When the purchase cost of personal protective equipment is less than fifty thousand dollars, a state agency shall comply with section 125.035 of the Revised Code. If the purchase is not subject to the requirements of an applicable first or second requisite procurement program, the agency shall apply the same preferences in section 125.09 of the Revised Code when making the purchase. As used in this division, "personal protective equipment" means equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause workplace injuries and illnesses.

Last updated August 31, 2023 at 12:48 PM

Section 125.051 | Advertising subject to controlling board approval.
 

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Advertising" includes advertising in print or electronic newspapers, journals, or magazines and advertising broadcast over radio or television or placed on the internet.

(2) "State official" means an official elected to a statewide office or a member of the general assembly.

(B) Any advertising purchased with public money by a state official for the same purpose that, in the aggregate, exceeds fifty thousand dollars during the fiscal year, shall be subject to controlling board approval.

Section 125.061 | Suspension of purchasing and contracting requirements in case of emergency.
 

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Emergency" has the same meaning as defined in section 5502.21 of the Revised Code.

(2) "State procurement emergency" means a situation that creates all of the following:

(a) A threat to public health, safety, or welfare;

(b) An immediate and serious need for supplies or services that cannot be met through normal procurement methods required by state law; and

(c) A serious threat of harm to the functioning of state government, the preservation or protection of property, or the health or safety of any person.

(B) During the period of an emergency, the department of administrative services may suspend, for the emergency management agency established in section 5502.22 of the Revised Code or any other state agency participating in response and recovery activities as defined in section 5502.21 of the Revised Code, the purchasing and contracting requirements contained in Chapter 125. and any requirement of Chapter 153. of the Revised Code that otherwise would apply to the agency. The director of public safety or the executive director of the emergency management agency shall make the request for the suspension of these requirements to the department of administrative services concurrently with the request to the governor or the president of the United States for the declaration of an emergency. The governor also shall include in any proclamation the governor issues declaring an emergency language requesting the suspension of those requirements during the period of the emergency.

(C) During the period of a state procurement emergency, the department of administrative services may suspend, for any state agency, the purchasing and contracting requirements contained in Chapter 125. of the Revised Code that would otherwise be required of the agency.

(1) The director or administrative head of the state agency where the state procurement emergency exists shall request the department of administrative services to suspend the purchasing and contracting requirements in Chapter 125. of the Revised Code.

(2) The request shall include information detailing the immediacy of the state procurement emergency and a description of the necessary supplies or services that cannot be timely purchased through normal procurement methods otherwise required by state law.

(3) Whenever practical, the agency shall obtain a release and permit from the department of administrative services under section 125.035 of the Revised Code before making purchases under this division.

(D) Before any purchase may be made under a suspension authorized by this section, the director of administrative services shall send notice of the suspension as approved by the director to the director of budget and management and to the members of the controlling board. The notice shall provide details of the request for suspension and shall include a copy of the director's approval.

(E) Purchases made by state agencies under this section are exempt from the requirements of section 127.16 of the Revised Code, except that state agencies making purchases under this section shall file a report with the president of the controlling board describing all such purchases made by the agency during the period covered by the emergency declaration or state procurement emergency. The report shall be filed within ninety days after the declaration or state procurement emergency condition expires.

Section 125.07 | Notice of bidding.
 

(A) In accordance with rules the director shall adopt under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the director of administrative services may make purchases by competitive sealed bid. The competitive sealed bid, at a minimum, shall contain a detailed description of the supplies or services to be purchased, terms and conditions of the sale, and any other information the director considers to be necessary for the intended purchase. Competitive sealed bids shall be awarded as provided in section 125.11 of the Revised Code.

(B) The department of administrative services, in making a purchase by competitive sealed bid, shall give notice in the following manner:

(1) The department shall advertise the intended purchases by notice posted for the benefit of competing persons producing or dealing in the supplies or services to be purchased. The notice may be in any electronic form the director of administrative services considers appropriate to sufficiently notify competing persons of the intended purchases.

(2) The notice required under this division shall include the time and place where bids will be accepted and opened, or, when bids are made in a reverse auction, the time when bids will be accepted; the conditions under which bids will be received; the terms of the proposed purchases; and an itemized list of the supplies or services to be purchased and the estimated quantities or amounts of them.

(3) The notice required under this division shall be posted the number of days preceding the day when the bids will be opened or accepted that the director determines sufficient to enable interested bidders to prepare their bids.

Section 125.071 | Purchasing by competitive sealed proposal.
 

(A) In accordance with rules the director of administrative services shall adopt, the director may make purchases by competitive sealed proposal whenever the director determines that the use of competitive sealed bidding is not possible or not advantageous to the state.

(B) Proposals shall be solicited through a request for proposals. The request for proposals shall state the relative importance of price and other evaluation factors. Notice of the request for proposals shall be given in accordance with rules the director shall adopt.

(C) Proposals shall be opened so as to avoid disclosure of contents to competing offerors.

In order to ensure fair and impartial evaluation, proposals and related documents submitted in response to a request for proposals are not available for public inspection and copying under section 149.43 of the Revised Code until after the award of the contract.

(D) As provided in the request for proposals, and under rules the director shall adopt, discussions may be conducted with responsible offerors who submit proposals determined to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award for the purpose of ensuring full understanding of, and responsiveness to, solicitation requirements. Offerors shall be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion regarding any clarification, correction, or revision of proposals. No disclosure of any information derived from proposals submitted by competing offerors shall occur when discussions are conducted.

(E) Award may be made to the offerors whose proposals are determined to be the most advantageous to this state, taking into consideration factors such as price and the evaluation criteria set forth in the request for proposals. The contract file shall contain the basis on which the award is made.

Last updated September 28, 2023 at 4:42 PM

Section 125.072 | Purchasing services or supplies via reverse auction on internet.
 

(A) As used in this section, "reverse auction" means a purchasing process in which offerors submit bids in competing to sell services or supplies in an open environment via the internet.

(B) Whenever the director of administrative services determines that the use of a reverse auction is advantageous to the state, the director, in accordance with rules the director shall adopt, may purchase services or supplies by reverse auction.

(C) The director, by rule, may authorize a state agency that is authorized to purchase services or supplies directly to purchase them by reverse auction in the same manner as this section and the rules adopted under this section authorize the director to do so.

Section 125.073 | Electronic procurement.
 

The department of administrative services shall actively promote and accelerate the use of electronic procurement, including reverse auctions as defined by section 125.072 of the Revised Code, when exercising its statutory powers.

Beginning July 1, 2004, the department shall annually on or before the first day of July report to the committees in each house of the general assembly dealing with finance indicating the effectiveness of electronic procurement.

Last updated September 28, 2023 at 4:44 PM

Section 125.08 | Minority business enterprise notification list.
 

Any person who is certified by the director of development in accordance with the rules adopted under division (B)(1) of section 122.921 of the Revised Code as a minority business enterprise may have that person's name placed on a special minority business enterprise notification list to be used in connection with contracts awarded under section 125.081 of the Revised Code. The minority business enterprise notification list shall be used for bidding on contracts set aside for minority business enterprises only.

Last updated March 2, 2023 at 5:04 PM

Section 125.081 | Setting aside purchases selected for competition only by minority business enterprises.
 

(A) From the purchases that the department of administrative services is required by law to make through competitive selection, the director of administrative services shall select a number of such purchases, the aggregate value of which equals approximately fifteen per cent of the estimated total value of all such purchases to be made in the current fiscal year. The director shall set aside the purchases selected for competition only by minority business enterprises, as defined in division (E)(1) of section 122.71 of the Revised Code. The competitive selection procedures for such purchases set aside shall be the same as for all other purchases the department is required to make through competitive selection, except that only minority business enterprises certified by the director of development in accordance with the rules adopted under division (B)(1) of section 122.921 of the Revised Code and listed under section 125.08 of the Revised Code shall be qualified to compete.

(B) To the extent that any agency of the state, other than the department of administrative services, the legislative and judicial branches, boards of elections, and the adjutant general, is authorized to make purchases, the agency shall set aside a number of purchases, the aggregate value of which equals approximately fifteen per cent of the aggregate value of such purchases for the current fiscal year for competition by minority business enterprises only. The procedures for such purchases shall be the same as for all other such purchases made by the agency, except that only minority business enterprises certified by the director of development in accordance with rules adopted under division (B)(1) of section 123.151 of the Revised Code shall be qualified to compete.

(C) In the case of purchases set aside under division (A) or (B) of this section, if no bid is submitted by a minority business enterprise, the purchase shall be made according to usual procedures. The contracting agency shall from time to time set aside such additional purchases for which only minority business enterprises may compete, as are necessary to replace those purchases previously set aside for which no minority business enterprises bid and to ensure that, in any fiscal year, the aggregate amount of contracts awarded to minority business enterprises will equal approximately fifteen per cent of the total amount of contracts awarded by the agency.

(D) The provisions of this section shall not preclude any minority business enterprise from competing for any other state purchases that are not specifically set aside for minority business enterprises.

(E) No funds of any state agency shall be expended in any fiscal year for any purchase for which competitive selection is required, until the director of the department of administrative services certifies to the clerk of the senate and the clerk of the house of representatives of the general assembly that approximately fifteen per cent of the aggregate amount of the projected expenditure for such purchases in the fiscal year has been set aside as provided for in this section.

(F) Any person who intentionally misrepresents self as owning, controlling, operating, or participating in a minority business enterprise for the purpose of obtaining contracts, subcontracts, or any other benefits under this section shall be guilty of theft by deception as provided for in section 2913.02 of the Revised Code.

Last updated July 30, 2021 at 3:49 PM

Section 125.082 | Purchasing recycled products.
 

(A) When purchasing equipment, materials, or supplies, the general assembly; the offices of all elected state officers; all departments, boards, offices, commissions, agencies, institutions, including, without limitation, state-supported institutions of higher education, and other instrumentalities of this state; the supreme court; all courts of appeals; and all courts of common pleas, may purchase recycled products in accordance with rules adopted by the director of administrative services.

(B) The director of administrative services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing guidelines for the procurement of recycled products pursuant to division (A) of this section.

Section 125.09 | Bid conditions or terms - preferences.
 

(A) Pursuant to sections 125.07, 125.071, and 125.072 of the Revised Code, the department of administrative services may prescribe such conditions under which competitive sealed bids, competitive sealed proposals, and bids in reverse auctions will be received and terms of the proposed purchase as it considers necessary; provided, that all such conditions and terms shall be reasonable and shall not unreasonably restrict competition, and bidders may bid and offerors may propose upon all or any item of the products or services listed in such notice. Those bidders and offerors claiming the preference outlined in this chapter shall designate in their bid or offer whether the product is mined, excavated, produced, manufactured, raised, or grown in the United States and is either a Buy Ohio product or that the product or service is provided by a bidder or offeror that qualifies as having a significant economic presence in the state or a state bordering Ohio, under the rules established by the director of administrative services, and whether the bidder or offeror is a certified veteran-friendly business enterprise under section 122.925 of the Revised Code.

(B) The director of administrative services shall, by rule adopted pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, prescribe criteria and procedures for use by all state agencies in giving preference under this section as required by division (B) of section 125.11 of the Revised Code. The rules shall extend to:

(1) Criteria for determining that a product is mined, excavated, produced, manufactured, raised, or grown in the United States rather than in another country or territory;

(2) Criteria for determining that a product is a Buy Ohio product;

(3) Information to be submitted by bidders or offerors as to the nature of a product and the location where it is mined, excavated, produced, manufactured, raised, or grown;

(4) Criteria and procedures to be used by the director to qualify bidders or offerors located in states bordering Ohio who might otherwise be excluded from being awarded a contract by operation of this section and section 125.11 of the Revised Code. The criteria and procedures shall recognize the level and regularity of interstate commerce between Ohio and the border states and provide that the non-Ohio businesses may qualify for award of a contract as long as they are located in a state that imposes no greater restrictions than are contained in this section and section 125.11 of the Revised Code upon persons located in Ohio selling products or services to agencies of that state. The criteria and procedures shall also provide that a non-Ohio business shall not bid on a contract for state printing in this state if the business is located in a state that excludes Ohio businesses from bidding on state printing contracts in that state.

(5) Criteria and procedures to be used to qualify bidders and offerors whose manufactured products, except for mined products, are produced in other states or in North America, but the bidders or offerors have a significant Ohio economic presence in terms of the number of employees or capital investment a bidder or offeror has in this state. Bidders and offerors with a significant Ohio economic presence shall qualify for award of a contract on the same basis as if their products were produced in this state or as if the bidder or offeror was domiciled in this state.

(6) Criteria and procedures for the director to grant waivers of the requirements of division (B) of section 125.11 of the Revised Code on a contract-by-contract basis where compliance with those requirements would not be in the best interest of the state or is otherwise prohibited;

(7) Criteria for applying a preference to bids and offers received from a certified veteran-friendly business enterprise;

(8) Such other requirements or procedures reasonably necessary to implement the system of preferences established pursuant to division (B) of section 125.11 of the Revised Code.

In adopting the rules required under this division, the director shall, to the maximum extent possible, conform to the requirements of the federal "Buy American Act," 41 U.S.C. 8301-8305, as amended, and to the regulations adopted thereunder.

Last updated September 28, 2023 at 4:44 PM

Section 125.091 | Definitions for R.C. 125.091 to 125.093.
 

As used in this section and sections 125.092 and 125.093 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Agricultural materials" means agricultural-based materials or residues, including plant, animal, and marine materials or residues, used in the manufacture of commercial or industrial nonfood products.

(B) "Biobased product" means a product determined by the United States secretary of agriculture to be a commercial or industrial product, other than food or feed, that is composed, in whole or significant part, of biological products, renewable domestic agricultural materials, or forestry material, or is an intermediate ingredient or feedstock.

(C) "Biological products" means products derived from living materials other than agricultural or forestry materials.

(D) "Designated item" means a generic grouping of biobased products identified in subpart B, 7 C.F.R. 2902.10 to 2902.42.

(E) "Forest thinnings" means woody materials removed from a dense forest to improve growth, enhance forest health, or remove trees to recover potential mortality.

(F) "Forestry materials" means materials derived from the practice of planting and caring for forests and the management of growing timber where such materials come from short-rotation woody crops that are less than ten years old, sustainably managed forests, wood residues, or forest thinnings.

(G) "Intermediate ingredient or feedstock" means a material or compound made, in whole or in significant part, from biological products, renewable agricultural materials, or forestry materials that are subsequently used to make a more complex compound or product.

(H) "Sustainably managed forests" means the practice of land stewardship that integrates the reforestation, management, growing, nurturing, and harvesting of trees for useful products while conserving soil and improving air and water quality, wildlife, fish habitat, and aesthetics.

Last updated December 14, 2021 at 12:23 PM

Section 125.092 | Biobased product preference program.
 

(A) Except as provided in divisions (G) and (H) of this section, when purchasing equipment, material, or supplies, the department of administrative services, other state agencies, and state institutions of higher education shall purchase biobased products in accordance with the biobased product preference program established by the director of administrative services under this section.

(B) Not later than one hundred eighty days after the effective date of this section, the director shall establish a biobased product preference program, which shall ensure that the department of administrative services, other state agencies, and state institutions of higher education purchase biobased products by giving a preference to those designated items that are composed of the highest percentage of biobased content practicable or that comply with regulations adopted under 42 U.S.C. 6914b-1 by the administrator of the United States environmental protection agency. The purchase of biobased products under the program shall be consistent with sections 125.01 to 125.11 of the Revised Code.

As part of the program, the director shall adopt a policy of setting minimum biobased content specifications for awarding contracts in a manner that ensures that the biobased content of biobased products is consistent with the guidelines issued under 7 U.S.C. 8102, except when the director determines that division (C)(1), (2), or (3) of this section applies.

(C) The director may determine that it is not possible for a biobased product to be purchased in accordance with the biobased product preference program if the director determines that any of the following applies to the product:

(1) The product is not available within a reasonable period of time.

(2) The product fails to meet the performance standards set forth in the applicable specifications for the product.

(3) The price of the product is an unreasonable price. As used in division (C)(3) of this section, "unreasonable price" means either of the following:

(a) The price of the biobased product exceeds the price of a substantially equivalent nonbiobased product.

(b) The price of the biobased product exceeds the fair market value of a substantially equivalent nonbiobased product.

In accordance with rules adopted under this section, the director may determine a percentage that is up to five per cent by which the price of a biobased product may exceed the price or fair market value of a substantially equivalent nonbiobased product without being considered an unreasonable price for the purpose of division (C)(3)(a) or (b) of this section, as applicable. In doing so, the director shall give consideration to the benefits of expanding the use of biobased products.

(D) For any biobased product offered under the biobased product preference program, a vendor shall certify that the product meets the biobased content requirements for the designated item of which the product is an exemplar. Upon request, a vendor shall provide to the director information to verify the biobased content of a biobased product qualifying for purchase in accordance with the program.

(E) The director shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that prescribe all of the following:

(1) The procedures the department of administrative services and other state agencies shall use to give preference to and purchase biobased products in accordance with the program;

(2) The purchasing policy the director adopts under division (B) of this section;

(3) Procedures and guidelines to be used by the director in determining percentages for purposes of division (C) of this section;

(4) Other requirements or procedures that are necessary to implement the biobased product preference program.

(F) The director shall maintain a list of products that qualify as designated items under the biobased product preference program.

(G) When purchasing equipment, material, or supplies, a state institution of higher education shall purchase designated items in accordance with procedures established by the institution.

(H) If, after assessing the functions of designated items, a state agency determines that none of the designated items are functionally capable of meeting a specific need of the agency, the agency shall notify the director of administrative services. If, after assessing the functions of designated items, a state institution of higher education determines that none of the designated items are functionally capable of meeting a specific need of the institution, the institution shall notify both the director of administrative services and the chancellor of the board of regents. The agency or institution then may purchase a nonbiobased product that is functionally capable of meeting that specific need of the agency or institution, as applicable. Such a purchase does not constitute failure to comply with the biobased product preference program or preclude the agency or institution from otherwise participating in the program.

(I) This section does not apply to the purchase of motor vehicle fuel, heating oil, or electricity.

(J) As used in this section, "state institution of higher education" has the same meaning as in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.

Section 125.093 | Annual report on purchase of biobased products.
 

Not later than September 30, 2010, and the thirtieth day of September each year thereafter, the director of administrative services shall prepare and submit to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives a report that describes the number and types of biobased products purchased under section 125.092 of the Revised Code and the amount of money spent by the department of administrative services and other state agencies for those biobased products.

Section 125.10 | Requiring performance or other surety.
 

(A) The department of administrative services may require that all competitive sealed bids, competitive sealed proposals, and bids received in a reverse auction be accompanied by a performance bond or other financial assurance acceptable to the director of administrative services, in the sum and with the sureties it prescribes, payable to the state, and conditioned that the person submitting the bid or proposal, if that person's bid or proposal is accepted, will faithfully execute the terms of the contract and promptly make deliveries of the supplies purchased.

(B) A sealed copy of each competitive sealed bid or competitive sealed proposal shall be filed with the department prior to the time specified in the notice for opening of the bids or proposals. All competitive sealed bids and competitive sealed proposals shall be opened in the standardized system of electronic procurement by the department at the time specified in the notice.

Last updated September 28, 2023 at 4:45 PM

Section 125.11 | Contract award.
 

(A) Subject to division (B) of this section, contracts awarded pursuant to a reverse auction under section 125.072 of the Revised Code or pursuant to competitive sealed bidding, including contracts awarded under section 125.081 of the Revised Code, shall be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in accordance with section 9.312 of the Revised Code, and contracts awarded pursuant to a competitive sealed proposal shall be awarded to the offeror determined to be the most advantageous to this state.

(B) Prior to awarding a contract under division (A) of this section, the department of administrative services or the state agency responsible for evaluating a contract for the purchase of products or services shall evaluate the bids and offers received according to the criteria and procedures established pursuant to division (B) of section 125.09 of the Revised Code for determining if a product is mined, excavated, produced, manufactured, raised, or grown in the United States, in this state, or in a state bordering Ohio, whether the bid or offer was received from a Buy Ohio supplier, and whether the bid or offer was received from a certified veteran-friendly business enterprise. These requirements shall be applied where sufficient competition can be generated to ensure that compliance with these requirements will be in the best interest of the state unless otherwise prohibited.

(C) Division (B) of this section applies to contracts for which competitive selection is waived by the controlling board.

(D) Division (B) of this section does not apply to the purchase by the division of liquor control of spirituous liquor.

Last updated September 28, 2023 at 4:46 PM

Section 125.111 | Construction contracts to contain discrimination provisions - affirmative action program.
 

(A) Every contract for or on behalf of the state or any of its political subdivisions for any purchase shall contain provisions similar to those required by section 153.59 of the Revised Code in the case of construction contracts by which the contractor agrees to both of the following:

(1) That, in the hiring of employees for the performance of work under the contract or any subcontract, no contractor or subcontractor, by reason of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or military status as defined in section 4112.01 of the Revised Code, national origin, or ancestry, shall discriminate against any citizen of this state in the employment of a person qualified and available to perform the work to which the contract relates;

(2) That no contractor, subcontractor, or person acting on behalf of any contractor or subcontractor, in any manner, shall discriminate against, intimidate, or retaliate against any employee hired for the performance of work under the contract on account of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or military status as defined in section 4112.01 of the Revised Code, national origin, or ancestry.

(B) All contractors from whom the state or any of its political subdivisions make purchases shall have a written affirmative action program for the employment and effective utilization of economically disadvantaged persons, as referred to in division (E)(1) of section 122.71 of the Revised Code. Annually, each such contractor shall file a description of the affirmative action program and a progress report on its implementation with the department of development.

Last updated July 30, 2021 at 3:50 PM

Section 125.112 | Web site listing contract awards.
 

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Agency" means a department created under section 121.02 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Entity" means, whether for profit or nonprofit, a corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company, sole proprietorship, or other business entity. "Entity" does not include an individual who receives state assistance that is not related to the individual's business.

(3)(a) "State award" means a contract awarded by the state costing over twenty-five thousand dollars.

(b) "State award" does not include compensation received as an employee of the state or any state financial assistance and expenditure received from the general assembly or any legislative agency, any court or judicial agency, the secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, or attorney general and their respective offices.

(B) The department of administrative services shall establish and maintain a single searchable web site, accessible by the public at no cost, that includes all of the following information for each state award:

(1) The name of the entity receiving the award;

(2) The amount of the award;

(3) Information on the award, the agency or other instrumentality of the state that is providing the award, and the commodity code;

(4) Any other relevant information determined by the department of administrative services.

(C) The department of administrative services may consult with other state agencies in the development, establishment, operation, and support of the web site required by division (B) of this section. State awards shall be posted on the web site within thirty days after being made. The department of administrative services shall provide an opportunity for public comment as to the utility of the web site required by division (B) of this section and any suggested improvements.

(D) The web site required by division (B) of this section shall be fully operational not later than one year after December 30, 2008, and shall include information on state awards made in fiscal year 2008 and thereafter. It shall also provide an electronic link to the daily journals of the senate and house of representatives.

(E) The director of administrative services shall submit to the general assembly an annual report regarding the implementation of the web site established pursuant to division (B) of this section. The report shall include data regarding the usage of the web site and any public comments on the utility of the site, including recommendations for improving data quality and collection. The director shall post each report on the web site.

(F) Each agency awarding a grant to an entity in fiscal year 2008 and thereafter shall establish and maintain a separate web site listing the name of the entity receiving each grant, the grant amount, information on each grant, and any other relevant information determined by the department of administrative services. Each agency shall provide the link to such a web site to the department of administrative services within a reasonable time after December 30, 2008, and shall thereafter update its web site within thirty days of awarding a new grant. Not later than one year after December 30, 2008, the department of administrative services shall establish and maintain a separate web site, accessible to the public at no cost, which contains the links to the agency web sites required by this division.

(G) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the disclosure of information that is not a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

Last updated July 30, 2021 at 3:50 PM

Section 125.12 | Excess and surplus supply definitions.
 

As used in sections 125.12 to 125.14 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Excess supplies" means any supplies that have a remaining useful life, but that are no longer needed by the agency that possesses them.

(B) "Supplies" means all personal property owned by the state, including, but not limited to, equipment and materials.

(C) "Surplus supplies" means any supplies no longer having any use to the state, including obsolete supplies, scrap materials, and supplies that have completed their useful life cycle. "Surplus supplies" does not include materials that have completed their useful life cycle and are recyclable goods and materials, providing that the goods and materials are actually recycled.

(D) "Transfer" means to transfer either by sale or without a sale.

(E) "Hazardous property" means any property subject to the jurisdiction of or regulated by the Ohio environmental protection agency.

Section 125.13 | Disposing of excess and surplus supplies.
 

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Emergency medical service organization" has the same meaning as in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Private fire company" has the same meaning as in section 9.60 of the Revised Code.

(B) Whenever a state agency has excess or surplus supplies, it shall notify the director of administrative services. On forms provided by the director, the state agency shall furnish to the director a list of its excess and surplus supplies, including the location of the supplies and whether the supplies are currently in the agency's control.

(C) Upon receipt of notification and at no cost to the state agency, the director of administrative services shall make arrangements for their disposition and shall take immediate control of a state agency's excess and surplus supplies, except for the following excess and surplus supplies:

(1) Excess or surplus supplies that have a value below the minimum value that the director establishes for excess and surplus supplies under division (F) of this section;

(2) Excess or surplus supplies that the director has authorized an agency to donate to a governmental agency, including, but not limited to, public schools and surplus computers and computer equipment transferred to a public school under division (G) of this section;

(3) Excess or surplus supplies that an agency trades in as full or partial payment when purchasing a replacement item;

(4) Hazardous property;

(5) Excess or surplus supplies that the director has authorized to be part of an interagency transfer;

(6) Excess or surplus supplies that are donated under division (H) of this section.

(D) The director shall inventory excess and surplus supplies in the director's control and post on a public web site a list of the supplies available for acquisition. The director may have the supplies repaired. The director shall not charge a fee for the collection or transportation of excess and surplus supplies.

(E) The director may do any of the following:

(1) Dispose of declared surplus or excess supplies in the director's control by sale, lease, donation, or transfer. If the director does so, the director shall dispose of those supplies in any of the following manners:

(a) To state agencies or by interagency trade;

(b) To state-supported or state-assisted institutions of higher education;

(c) To tax-supported agencies, municipal corporations, or other political subdivisions of this state, private fire companies, or private, nonprofit emergency medical service organizations;

(d) To nonpublic elementary and secondary schools chartered by the department of education and workforce under section 3301.16 of the Revised Code;

(e) To a nonprofit organization that is both exempt from federal income taxation under 26 U.S.C. 501(a) and (c)(3) and that receives funds from the state or has a contract with the state;

(f) To the general public by auction, sealed bid, sale, or negotiation.

(2) If the director has attempted to dispose of any declared surplus or excess motor vehicle that does not exceed four thousand five hundred dollars in value pursuant to divisions (E)(1)(a) to (c) of this section, donate the motor vehicle to a nonprofit organization exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 501(a) and (c)(3) for the purpose of meeting the transportation needs of participants in the Ohio works first program established under Chapter 5107. of the Revised Code and participants in the prevention, retention, and contingency program established under Chapter 5108. of the Revised Code. The director may not donate a motor vehicle furnished to the state highway patrol to a nonprofit organization pursuant to this division.

(F) The director may adopt rules governing the sale, lease, or transfer of surplus and excess supplies in the director's control by public auction, sealed bid, sale, or negotiation, except that no employee of the disposing agency shall be allowed to purchase, lease, or receive any such supplies. The director may dispose of declared surplus or excess supplies, including motor vehicles, in the director's control as the director determines proper if such supplies cannot be disposed of pursuant to division (E) of this section. The director shall by rule establish a minimum value for excess and surplus supplies and prescribe procedures for a state agency to follow in disposing of excess and surplus supplies in its control that have a value below the minimum value established by the director.

(G) The director of administrative services may authorize any state agency to transfer surplus computers and computer equipment that are not needed by other state agencies directly to an accredited public school within the state. The computers and computer equipment may be repaired or refurbished prior to transfer. The state agency may charge a service fee to the public schools for the property not to exceed the direct cost of repairing or refurbishing it. The state agency shall deposit such funds into the account used for repair or refurbishment.

(H) Excess and surplus supplies of food shall be exempt from this section and may be donated directly to nonprofit food pantries and institutions without notification to the director of administrative services.

Last updated September 5, 2023 at 5:10 PM

Section 125.14 | Investment recovery fund - recycled materials fund.
 

(A) The director of administrative services shall allocate any proceeds from the transfer, sale, or lease of excess and surplus supplies in the following manner:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(2) or (3) of this section, the proceeds of such a transfer, sale, or lease shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the investment recovery fund, which is hereby created.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(2) of this section, when supplies originally were purchased with funds from nongeneral revenue fund sources, the director shall determine what fund or account originally was used to purchase the supplies, and the credit for the proceeds from any transfer, sale, or lease of those supplies shall be transferred to that fund or account. If the director cannot determine which fund or account originally was used to purchase the supplies, if the fund or account is no longer active, or if the proceeds from the transfer, sale, or lease of a unit of supplies are less than one hundred dollars or any larger amount the director may establish with the approval of the director of budget and management, then the proceeds from the transfer, sale, or lease of such supplies shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the investment recovery fund.

(3) In accordance with division (H)(2) of section 125.832 of the Revised Code, when vehicles originally were purchased with moneys derived from the general revenue fund, the proceeds shall be deposited, in the director's discretion, into the state treasury to the credit of either the fleet management fund created by section 125.83 of the Revised Code or to the credit of the investment recovery fund created by this section. Any such proceeds deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the investment recovery fund may be transferred from the investment recovery fund to the fleet management fund.

(B) The investment recovery fund shall be used to pay for the operating expenses of the state surplus property program and of the federal surplus property program described in sections 125.84 to 125.90 of the Revised Code. Any amounts in excess of these operating expenses shall periodically be transferred to the general revenue fund of the state. If proceeds paid into the investment recovery fund are insufficient to pay for the program's operating expenses, a service fee may be charged to state agencies to eliminate the deficit.

(C) Proceeds from the sale of recyclable goods and materials shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the recycled materials fund, which is hereby created, except that the director of environmental protection, upon request, may grant an exemption from this requirement. The director shall administer the fund for the benefit of recycling programs in state agencies.

Last updated July 30, 2021 at 3:51 PM

Section 125.15 | Acquisition of equipment, materials, supplies, services, or contracts of insurance.
 

All state agencies required to secure any equipment, materials, supplies, or services from the department of administrative services shall make acquisition in the manner and upon forms prescribed by the director of administrative services and shall reimburse the department for the equipment, materials, supplies, or services, including a reasonable sum to cover the department's administrative costs and costs relating to energy efficiency and conservation programs, whenever reimbursement is required by the department. The money so paid shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the general services fund, the information technology fund, or the information technology governance fund, as appropriate. Those funds are hereby created.

Section 125.16 | Inventory records of state tangible personal property and real property.
 

(A) In accordance with procedures prescribed by the director of administrative services, the officer in charge of each state agency, other than an institution of higher education, shall maintain current and accurate records of tangible personal property and real property, as defined by the department of administrative services, that the state agency holds either directly or on behalf of the state. These records shall specify the value of the property, the number of acres of land, the number and kind of buildings, and other significant information about the property, as designated by the department.

On or before the first day of October immediately following the end of each fiscal year, the officer in charge of each state agency shall cause its inventory activity at the end of that fiscal year to be certified as correct and filed with the director, in accordance with procedures the director prescribes. In addition, the officer in charge of each state agency shall cause a full and accurate physical inventory to be taken and concluded prior to the close of each fiscal biennium. The officer in charge of each state agency holding such property shall report to the director, on forms or media the director prescribes, regarding all property acquired, updated, or disposed of by that agency, in the detail and format and at the times the director requires.

This division does not apply to any canal lands administered and managed and any canals and reservoirs operated and maintained by the director of natural resources under Chapter 1520. of the Revised Code.

(B) The director of administrative services shall maintain current inventory records as certified and filed under division (A) of this section by a state agency, other than an institution of higher education. The director may establish uniform methods of identifying state property.

Section 125.18 | Office of information technology - duties of director - contracts.
 

(A) There is hereby established the office of information technology within the department of administrative services. The office shall be under the supervision of a state chief information officer to be appointed by the director of administrative services and subject to removal at the pleasure of the director. The chief information officer is an assistant director of administrative services.

(B) Under the direction of the director of administrative services, the state chief information officer shall lead, oversee, and direct state agency activities related to information technology development and use. In that regard, the state chief information officer shall do all of the following:

(1) Coordinate and superintend statewide efforts to promote common use and development of technology by state agencies. The office of information technology shall establish policies and standards that govern and direct state agency participation in statewide programs and initiatives.

(2) Coordinate with the office of procurement services to establish policies and standards for state agency acquisition of information technology supplies and services;

(3) Establish policies and standards for the use of common information technology by state agencies, including, but not limited to, hardware, software, technology services, and security, and the extension of the service life of information technology systems, with which state agencies shall comply;

(4) Establish criteria and review processes to identify state agency information technology projects or purchases that require alignment or oversight. As appropriate, the department of administrative services shall provide the governor and the director of budget and management with notice and advice regarding the appropriate allocation of resources for those projects. The state chief information officer may require state agencies to provide, and may prescribe the form and manner by which they must provide, information to fulfill the state chief information officer's alignment and oversight role;

(5) Establish policies and procedures for the security of personal information that is maintained and destroyed by state agencies;

(6) Employ a chief information security officer who is responsible for the implementation of the policies and procedures described in division (B)(5) of this section and for coordinating the implementation of those policies and procedures in all of the state agencies;

(7) Employ a chief privacy officer who is responsible for advising state agencies when establishing policies and procedures for the security of personal information and developing education and training programs regarding the state's security procedures;

(8) Establish policies on the purchasing, use, and reimbursement for use of handheld computing and telecommunications devices by state agency employees;

(9) Establish policies for the reduction of printing and for the increased use of electronic records by state agencies;

(10) Establish policies for the reduction of energy consumption by state agencies;

(11) Compute the amount of revenue attributable to the amortization of all equipment purchases and capitalized systems from information technology service delivery and major information technology purchases, MARCS administration, and enterprise applications operating appropriation items and major computer purchases capital appropriation items that is recovered as part of the information technology services rates the department of administrative services charges and deposits into the information technology fund created in section 125.15 of the Revised Code, and the user fees the department of administrative services charges and deposits in the MARCS administration fund created in section 4501.29 of the Revised Code, the rates the department of administrative services charges to benefiting agencies for the operation and management of information technology applications and deposits in the enterprise applications fund. The enterprise applications fund is hereby created in the state treasury.

(12) Regularly review and make recommendations regarding improving the infrastructure of the state's cybersecurity operations with existing resources and through partnerships between government, business, and institutions of higher education;

(13) Assist, as needed, with general state efforts to grow the cybersecurity industry in this state.

(C)(1) The chief information security officer shall assist each state agency with the development of an information technology security strategic plan and review that plan, and each state agency shall submit that plan to the state chief information officer. The chief information security officer may require that each state agency update its information technology security strategic plan annually as determined by the state chief information officer.

(2) Prior to the implementation of any information technology data system, a state agency shall prepare or have prepared a privacy impact statement for that system.

(D) When a state agency requests a purchase of information technology supplies or services under Chapter 125. of the Revised Code, the state chief information officer may review and reject the requested purchase for noncompliance with information technology direction, plans, policies, standards, or project-alignment criteria.

(E) The office of information technology may operate technology services for state agencies in accordance with this chapter.

Notwithstanding any provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, the office of information technology may assess a transaction fee on each license or registration issued as part of an electronic licensing system operated by the office in an amount determined by the office not to exceed three dollars and fifty cents. The transaction fee shall apply to all transactions, regardless of form, that immediately precede the issuance, renewal, reinstatement, reactivation of, or other activity that results in, a license or registration to operate as a regulated professional or entity. Each license or registration is a separate transaction to which a fee under this division applies. Notwithstanding any provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, if a fee is assessed under this section, no agency, board, or commission shall issue a license or registration unless a fee required by this division has been received. The director of administrative services may collect the fee or require a state agency, board, or commission for which the system is being operated to collect the fee. Amounts received under this division shall be deposited in or transferred to the occupational licensing and regulatory fund created in section 4743.05 or the Revised Code.

(F) With the approval of the director of administrative services, the office of information technology may establish cooperative agreements with federal and local government agencies and state agencies that are not under the authority of the governor for the provision of technology services and the development of technology projects.

(G) The office of information technology may operate a program to make information technology purchases. The director of administrative services may recover the cost of operating the program from all participating government entities by issuing intrastate transfer voucher billings for the procured technology or through any pass-through billing method agreed to by the director of administrative services, the director of budget and management, and the participating government entities that will receive the procured technology.

If the director of administrative services chooses to recover the program costs through intrastate transfer voucher billings, the participating government entities shall process the intrastate transfer vouchers to pay for the cost. Amounts received under this section for the information technology purchase program shall be deposited to the credit of the information technology governance fund created in section 125.15 of the Revised Code.

(H) Upon request from the director of administrative services, the director of budget and management may transfer cash from the information technology fund created in section 125.15 of the Revised Code, the MARCS administration fund created in section 4501.29 of the Revised Code, or the enterprise applications fund created in division (B)(11) of this section to the major information technology purchases fund in an amount not to exceed the amount computed under division (B)(11) of this section. The major information technology purchases fund is hereby created in the state treasury.

(I) As used in this section:

(1) "Personal information" has the same meaning as in section 149.45 of the Revised Code.

(2) "State agency" means every organized body, office, or agency established by the laws of the state for the exercise of any function of state government, other than any state-supported institution of higher education, the office of the auditor of state, treasurer of state, secretary of state, or attorney general, the adjutant general's department, the bureau of workers' compensation, the industrial commission, the public employees retirement system, the Ohio police and fire pension fund, the state teachers retirement system, the school employees retirement system, the state highway patrol retirement system, the general assembly or any legislative agency, the capitol square review advisory board, or the courts or any judicial agency.

Last updated September 28, 2023 at 4:47 PM

Section 125.181 | State information technology investment board.
 

The director of administrative services shall establish the state information technology investment board within the department of administrative services. The board shall consist of representatives from various state elective offices and state agencies, including the office of budget and management. The board shall identify and recommend to the state chief information officer opportunities for consolidation and cost-savings measures relating to information technology. Members of the board are not entitled to compensation for their services.

Section 125.182 | State public notice web site.
 

(A) An Ohio trade association that represents the majority of newspapers of general circulation as defined in section 7.12 of the Revised Code shall operate and maintain the official public notice web site.

Not later than one hundred eighty days after September 15, 2014, in all cases in which a notice or advertisement is required by a section of the Revised Code or an administrative rule to be published in a newspaper of general circulation, or in a daily law journal as required by section 2701.09 of the Revised Code, the notice or advertisement also shall be posted on the official public notice web site by the publisher of the newspaper or journal.

The operator of the official public notice web site shall:

(1) Use a domain name for the web site that will be easily recognizable and remembered by and understandable to users of the web site;

(2) Maintain the web site on the internet so that it is fully accessible to and searchable by members of the public at all times, other than during maintenance or acts of God outside the operator's control;

(3) Not charge a fee to a person that accesses the web site to view notices or advertisements or to perform searches of the web site, provided that the operator may charge a fee for enhanced search and customized content delivery features;

(4) Not charge a fee to a state agency or political subdivision for publishing a notice or advertisement on the web site, including when the notice or advertisement is not otherwise published in a newspaper or journal;

(5) Ensure that notices and advertisements displayed on the web site conform to the requirements that would apply to the notices and advertisements if they were being published in a newspaper, as directed in section 7.16 of the Revised Code or in the relevant provision of the statute or rule that requires the notice, as applicable;

(6) Ensure that notices and advertisements continue to be displayed on the web site for not less than the length of time required by the relevant provision of the statute or rule that requires the notice or advertisement;

(7) Maintain an archive of notices and advertisements that no longer are displayed on the web site;

(8) Enable notices and advertisements, both those currently displayed and those archived, to be accessed by key word, by party name, by case number, by county, and by other useful identifiers;

(9) Maintain adequate systemic security and backup features, and develop and maintain a contingency plan for coping with and recovering from power outages, systemic failures, and other unforeseeable difficulties;

(10) Provide access to the web site to the publisher of any Ohio newspaper or daily law journal that qualifies under the Revised Code to publish notices and advertisements, for the posting of notices and advertisements at no cost, or for a reasonable, uniform fee for the service; and

(11) Provide, if requested, a regularly scheduled feed or similar data transfer to the department of administrative services of notices and advertisements posted on the web site, provided that the operator of the web site shall not be required to provide the feed or transfer more often than once every business day.

(B) An error in a notice or advertisement posted on the official public notice web site, or a temporary web site outage or service interruption preventing the posting or display of a notice or advertisement on that web site, does not constitute a defect in making legal publication of the notice or advertisement, and publication requirements shall be considered met if the notice or advertisement published in the newspaper or daily law journal is correct.

(C) The official public notice web site shall not contain any political publications or political advertising described in division (A)(1)(a), (b), or (c) of section 3517.20 of the Revised Code.

(D) The publisher of a newspaper of general circulation or of a daily law journal that maintains a web site shall include on its web site a link to the official public notice web site.

Last updated September 28, 2023 at 4:49 PM

Section 125.183 | Applications prohibited on state networks and devices.
 

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Covered application" means all of the following:

(a) The TikTok application and service or any successor application or service developed or provided by ByteDance limited or an entity owned by ByteDance limited;

(b) The WeChat application and service or any successor application or service developed or provided by Tencent holdings limited or an entity owned by Tencent holdings limited;

(c) Any application or service owned by an entity located in China, including QQ International (QQi), Qzone, Weibo, Xiao HongShu, Zhihu, Meituan, Toutiao, Alipay, Xiami Music, Tiantian Music, DingTalkfDing Ding, Douban, RenRen, Youku/Tudou, Little Red Book, and Zhihu.

(2) "State agency" means every organized body, office, or agency established by the laws of this state for the exercise of any function of state government, other than any state-supported institution of higher education, the courts, or any judicial agency. "State agency" includes the general assembly, any legislative agency, and the capitol square review and advisory board.

(B) Subject to division (C) of this section, the state chief information officer shall do all of the following:

(1) Require state agencies immediately to remove any covered application from all equipment they own or lease;

(2) Prohibit all of the following on equipment owned or leased by a state agency:

(a) The downloading, installation, or use of a covered application;

(b) The downloading, installation, or use of a covered application using an internet connection provided by a state agency;

(c) The downloading, installation, or use of a covered application by any officer, employee, or contractor of a state agency.

(3) Require state agencies to take measures to prevent the downloading, installation, or use of a covered application as described in division (B)(2) of this section.

(C) Division (B) of this section shall include exceptions to allow a qualified person to download, install, or use a covered application for law enforcement or security purposes, so long as the person takes appropriate measures to mitigate the security risks involved in doing so.

Last updated August 28, 2023 at 4:21 PM

Section 125.19 | Energy efficiency and conservation purchasing measures information.
 

The department of administrative services shall make available to boards of education and local governments all information about energy efficiency and energy conservation purchasing measures developed by the department or other state agency.

The department shall develop and conduct orientation and training programs concerning energy efficiency and energy conservation purchasing measures for all state, board of education, and local employees having duties for purchasing supplies, materials, and equipment.

Section 125.20 | Administrative services internet-accessible database.
 

(A) Within one hundred eighty days after the effective date of this section, the director of administrative services shall establish an electronic site accessible through the internet to publish the following:

(1) A database containing each state employee's gross pay from the most recent pay period. The database shall contain the name of the agency, position title, and employee name.

(2) A database containing tax credits issued by the director of development to business entities that shall contain the name under which the tax credit is known, the name of the entity receiving the credit, and the county in which the credit recipient's principal place of business in this state is located.

The director of administrative services may adopt rules governing the means by which information is submitted and databases are updated.

Last updated October 13, 2021 at 10:45 AM

Section 125.21 | Payroll information.
 

The director of administrative services shall process payroll information for the purpose of payment for personal services of state officials and employees on the basis of rates of pay determined by pertinent law, the director, or other competent authority.

Calculation of payrolls may be made after the conclusion of each pay period based upon the amount of time served as certified by the appropriate appointing authority. Payment for personal service rendered by an official or employee during any pay period shall be made no later than at the conclusion of the official's or employee's next succeeding pay period.

The director of administrative services shall furnish to the director of budget and management all necessary data for drawing state official and employee pay warrants and preparing earning statements. These data shall include the rate at which paid; the time for which paid, including overtime and any other adjustments affecting the official's or employee's gross pay; all taxes withheld, including, whenever practicable, year-to-date figures on all taxes withheld; the amount of contribution to the appropriate retirement system; any voluntary deductions made in accordance with authorizations filed by the official or employee; and whether a direct deposit is to be made in accordance with an authorization filed by the official or employee.

Amounts deducted from the salaries or wages of all officials and employees shall be transferred to the payroll deduction fund, which is hereby created in the state treasury for the purpose of consolidating all such deductions made in any month. Payments from this fund shall be made at intervals for the intended purpose of the deduction or for refund where it is determined that deductions were made in error.

Section 125.211 | Accrued leave liability fund.
 

(A) There is hereby created in the state treasury the accrued leave liability fund, for the purpose of paying both of the following:

(1) The annual cash benefit payable for all of the following:

(a) Every hour of unused accrued vacation leave that is converted pursuant to section 124.134 of the Revised Code;

(b) Every hour of unused sick leave credit that is converted pursuant to section 124.383 of the Revised Code ;

(c) Every hour of unused personal leave credit that is converted pursuant to section 124.386 of the Revised Code;

(2) Upon separation from state service, the obligation of the state to compensate its employees, including employees listed in division (B)(2) or (4) of section 124.14 of the Revised Code and employees in bargaining units who do not receive vacation leave, sick leave, or personal leave under Chapter 124. of the Revised Code, for unused vacation leave, sick leave, or personal leave credit. Any interest earned on the balances in the fund shall be credited to the fund.

(B) In performing the calculations required by section 125.21 of the Revised Code, the director of administrative services shall charge to the appropriate salary account an amount sufficient to make the payments provided in division (A) of this section.

(C) The director of administrative services, in consultation with the director of budget and management, shall develop the procedures to carry out this section.

(D) Amounts from the accrued leave liability fund may be used to pay direct and indirect costs that are attributable to consultants or a third-party administrator and that are necessary to carry out this section.

Section 125.212 | Life insurance investment fund.
 

The life insurance investment fund is hereby created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of amounts from state agencies, life insurance premium refunds received by the state, and other receipts related to the state's life insurance benefit program. The fund shall be used to pay the costs of the state's life insurance benefit program. All investment earnings of the life insurance investment fund shall be credited to the fund.

Section 125.213 | State employee child support fund.
 

There is hereby created the state employee child support fund. The fund shall be in the custody of the treasurer of state, but shall not be part of the state treasury. The fund shall consist of all money withheld or deducted from salaries and wages of state officials and employees pursuant to a withholding or deduction notice described in section 3121.03 of the Revised Code for forwarding to the office of child support in the department of job and family services pursuant to section 3121.19 of the Revised Code. All money in the fund, including investment earnings thereon, shall be used only for the following purposes:

(A) Forwarding to the office of child support money withheld or deducted from salaries and wages of state officials and employees pursuant to a withholding or deduction notice described in section 3121.03 of the Revised Code;

(B) Paying any direct or indirect costs associated with maintaining the fund.

Section 125.23 | Regular deductions for individual retirement arrangement.
 

The department of administrative services may provide for regular deductions from the salary or wages of each state officer or employee for an individual retirement arrangement intended to obtain deferral of income for income tax purposes, provided that an officer or employee requesting such deductions is one of a group that constitutes at least ten per cent of all the officers and employees of the same state agency or a total of five hundred such officers and employees, whichever is fewer, who have pending written requests for such deductions to be made and remitted to the same provider, or the same agent, broker, or financial institution for one or more providers, of such individual retirement arrangements.

The director of budget and management shall promptly provide for payment of the salary or wage deductions that have been authorized by such officers and employees to each such provider, agent, broker, or financial institution in the amounts authorized by the officers and employees.

Section 125.25 | Debarment of vendor from contract awards.
 

(A) The director of administrative services may debar a vendor from consideration for contract awards upon a finding based upon a reasonable belief that the vendor has done any of the following:

(1) Abused the selection process by repeatedly withdrawing bids or proposals before purchase orders or contracts are issued or failing to accept orders based upon firm bids;

(2) Failed to substantially perform a contract according to its terms, conditions, and specifications within specified time limits;

(3) Failed to cooperate in monitoring contract performance by refusing to provide information or documents required in a contract, failed to respond to complaints to the vendor, or accumulated repeated justified complaints regarding performance of a contract;

(4) Attempted to influence a public employee to breach ethical conduct standards or to influence a contract award;

(5) Colluded to restrain competition by any means;

(6) Been convicted of a criminal offense related to the application for or performance of any public or private contract, including, but not limited to, embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, receiving stolen property, and any other offense that directly reflects on the vendor's business integrity;

(7) Been convicted under state or federal antitrust laws;

(8) Deliberately or willfully submitted false or misleading information in connection with the application for or performance of a public contract;

(9) Violated any other responsible business practice or performed in an unsatisfactory manner as determined by the director;

(10) Through the default of a contract or through other means had a determination of unresolved finding for recovery by the auditor of state under section 9.24 of the Revised Code;

(11) Acted in such a manner as to be debarred from participating in a contract with any governmental agency.

(B) When the director reasonably believes that grounds for debarment exist, the director shall send the vendor a notice of proposed debarment indicating the grounds for the proposed debarment and the procedure for requesting a hearing on the proposed debarment. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. If the vendor does not respond with a request for a hearing in the manner specified in Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the director shall issue the debarment decision without a hearing and shall notify the vendor of the decision by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(C) The director shall determine the length of the debarment period and may rescind the debarment at any time upon notification to the vendor. During the period of debarment, the vendor is not eligible to participate in any state contract. After the debarment period expires, the vendor may be eligible to be awarded contracts by state agencies if the vendor is not otherwise debarred.

(D) The director, through the office of procurement services, shall maintain a list of all vendors currently debarred under this section.

Section 125.27 | Building improvement fund.
 

(A) There is hereby created in the state treasury the building improvement fund. The fund shall retain the interest earned.

(B) The fund shall consist of any money transferred or deposited into the fund pursuant to section 125.28 of the Revised Code.

(C) The fund shall be used for major maintenance or improvements required in facilities maintained by the department of administrative services.

Section 125.28 | Reimbursing general revenue fund for cost of occupying the space.
 

(A) The director of administrative services shall determine the reimbursable cost of space in state-owned or state-leased facilities and shall collect reimbursements for that cost.

(B) The director may provide building maintenance services and tenant improvement services to any state agency and may collect reimbursements for the cost of providing those services.

(C) All money collected by the department of administrative services, for operating expenses of facilities owned or maintained by the department, or for tenant improvement services, shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the building management fund, which is hereby created. All money collected for depreciation and related costs shall be deposited into the building improvement fund created under section 125.27 of the Revised Code or deposited into the building management fund and then transferred by the director of budget and management to the building improvement fund.

Section 125.29 | Child care services.
 

Notwithstanding section 125.28 of the Revised Code, the department of administrative services may operate or contract for child care services in any facility owned or maintained by the department or any other state agency if the director of administrative services determines such space is available; such space shall be used to provide child care services to a group of individuals of whom at least fifty per cent are state of Ohio employees; and priority for such child care services will be given to state of Ohio employees even if it results in the displacement of non-state employees.

If the department allots space in a facility controlled by it for the provision of child care services, such space may be provided without charge for rent or services. For the purpose of this section, "services" includes the provision of lighting, heating, cooling, electricity, maintenance, security systems, or any other utility type services. The director shall adopt rules governing the operation of such child care services.

Section 125.30 | Business reply form.
 

The department of administrative services shall create and administer an online computer network system that allows persons to electronically file business reply forms and, as authorized in the Revised Code, tax information with state agencies or political subdivisions.

Last updated September 11, 2023 at 12:33 PM

Section 125.31 | Supervising public printing.
 

(A) The department of administrative services shall have supervision of all public printing except as follows:

(1) Printing for the general assembly shall be the sole responsibility of the clerk of the senate and the clerk of the house of representatives unless the clerk of the senate or the clerk of the house of representatives chooses either of the options specified in section 101.523 or 101.524 of the Revised Code.

(2) Printing for the Ohio arts council shall be under the supervision of the council.

(3) Printing for the capitol square review and advisory board shall be under the supervision of the board.

(4) Printing for state-supported institutions of higher education shall be under the supervision of the department of purchasing of each such institution or the department or officer within each institution that performs the functions of a department of purchasing.

(B) The department of administrative services shall determine, except as otherwise specifically provided by law, the number of copies to be printed of each publication or document, the source of reproduction, the manner of binding, quality of paper, the general kind, size, and spacing of type to be used in all reports, publications, bulletins, documents, or pamphlets printed at public expense.

The department shall not use its authority to curtail the release of public information by any elected state official.

(C) For the purposes of sections 125.31 to 125.76 of the Revised Code, all functions, powers, and duties assigned to the department of administrative services are considered to be assigned to the division of state printing within the department of administrative services.

Section 125.32 | Enterprise data management and analytics program.
 

(A) The department of administrative services may establish an enterprise data management and analytics program to gather, combine, and analyze data provided by one or more agencies to measure the outcome of state-funded programs, develop policies to promote the effective, efficient, and best use of state resources, and to identify, prevent, or eliminate the fraudulent use of state funds, state resources, or state programs. Participating state agencies may use data gathered under the program for these purposes.

(B) A state agency shall provide data for use under the program. A state agency that provides data under the program shall comply with the data-sharing protocol adopted under division (D) of this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code, a state agency's provision of data under the program is considered a permitted use of the data under the Revised Code and the state agency is not in violation of any contrary provision of the Revised Code by providing the data.

(C)(1) A state agency that provides data under the program retains ownership over the data. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code, only the state agency that provides data under the program may be required under the law of this state to respond to requests for records or information regarding the provided data, including public records requests, subpoenas, warrants, and investigatory requests.

(2) Participating state agencies shall maintain the confidentiality of data gathered under the program in accordance with confidentiality laws applicable to the data when in the possession of the state agency that provided the data. Employees of the department of administrative services or another state agency who gain access to another state agency's confidential data under the program are subject to any confidentiality requirements or duty to maintain confidentiality of the data established by law applicable to the state agency that provided the data. The results of the data analysis shall be compared against the confidentiality laws applicable to the source data to determine if the results retain any attributes of the source data that bring the results within the scope of any of the confidentiality obligations that applied to the source data. If so, the data analysis results are subject to those applicable confidentiality obligations and, in the event of a conflict between applicable confidentiality obligations, the most stringent of those obligations shall control.

(D) In consultation with state agencies participating under the program, the department of administrative services shall develop a data-sharing protocol and a security plan for the program. The security plan shall state how the data is to be protected. The data-sharing protocol shall include at least the following:

(1) How participating state agencies may use confidential data in accordance with confidentiality laws applicable to the provided data;

(2) Who has authority to access data gathered under the program; and

(3) How participating state agencies shall make, verify, and retain corrections to personal information gathered under the program.

Any collection of data derived under the program that is a "system" with "personal information" as defined in section 1347.01 of the Revised Code shall comply with Chapter 1347. of the Revised Code.

Section 125.36 | Department may purchase in open market.
 

If the department of administrative services is of the opinion that any bids or proposals should be rejected in the interest of the state, it may reject any or all bids or proposals and advertise the invitation to bid or the request for proposals a second time. If after the second advertisement for bids or proposals the department determines that any or all bids or proposals are not in the interest of the state, it may purchase the various printing goods and services required at the lowest price for which such printing goods and services can be obtained in the open market.

Section 125.38 | Bond may be required with proposal.
 

If required by the department of administrative services, a bid or proposal for a term contract for printing goods and services, including final printed product, shall be accompanied by a bond to the state, in a sum specified in the invitation to bid or request for proposals, executed by the offeror, with either one corporate or two personal sureties, satisfactory to the department, conditioned for the performance of the contract awarded the offeror, and for the payment to the state, by the offeror, as liquidated damages, of any excess of cost over the bid or proposal of such offeror, which the state may be obliged to pay for such printing goods and services by reason of the failure of the offeror to complete the contract. A bid or proposal unaccompanied by such bond shall not be considered, and this bond shall be void if no contract is awarded to the offeror.

Section 125.39 | Forfeiture of bond.
 

If the contractor fails to furnish printing goods and services according to the terms of the contract, the department of administrative services shall purchase the required printing goods and services on the open market after notifying the contractor in writing of such action, and the cost in excess of the contract shall be collected from the contractor or the posted bond, if a bond was provided.

Section 125.42 | Approval of printing.
 

(A) No agency, officer, board, or commission, except the clerk of the senate and the clerk of the house of representatives, shall print or cause to be printed at the public expense, any report, bulletin, document, or pamphlet, unless such report, bulletin, document, or pamphlet is first submitted to, and the printing thereof approved by, the department of administrative services. If the department approves the printing, it shall determine the form of such printing and the number of copies.

If such approval is given, the department shall cause the same to be printed and bound as provided by sections 125.49, 125.51, and 125.56 of the Revised Code, except as otherwise provided by section 125.45 of the Revised Code; and when printed, such publications or forms shall be delivered to the ordering officer, board, commission, or department, or sold at a price not to exceed the total cost.

(B) The department of administrative services annually shall set a maximum cost per page and a maximum total cost for the printing by any board, commission, council, or other public body of the state of any annual report or any other report that it is required by law to produce. No board, commission, council, or other public body of the state shall expend or incur the expenditure of any amount in excess of these maximum amounts without the prior approval of the department. This division does not apply to the general assembly or any court.

Section 125.43 | Correction of proof sheets and preparation of indexes.
 

The department of administrative services shall see that any printing services are executed in accordance with law. The printing of all publications approved by the department of administrative services shall be ordered through it and it shall see that the number of copies ordered is received from the printer and delivered to the proper department.

Section 125.44 | Record of accounts.
 

The department of administrative services shall keep detailed accounts of all state office reproduction services, printing and binding.

Section 125.45 | Office reproduction services.
 

(A) The department of administrative services shall maintain facilities to perform office reproduction services for all boards, commissions, or departments. Upon written application to the department of administrative services, permission may be granted to a board, commission, or department to perform such services outside the central facility and such permission shall state the extent of the services which the department, board, or commission shall perform.

(B) Office reproduction services are restricted to duplicating equipment not larger than seventeen by twenty-two inches. Not to exceed five thousand press impressions shall be produced of any such order except that up to one thousand production copies may be produced of any item consisting of multiple pages and except that over five thousand, but not more than ten thousand, press impressions may be produced if the director of administrative services determines that there is an emergency due to the timing of service delivery or another factor that may cause financial hardship to the state.

(C) No state agency, other than the department of administrative services, shall perform printing or office reproduction services for political subdivisions.

Section 125.49 | Price to be specifically stated.
 

Each bid or proposal for state printing shall state specifically the price at which the offeror will undertake to provide the finished product as specified in the invitation to bid or request for proposals, including the necessary binding covered by such bid or proposal.

Section 125.51 | Awarding of contract.
 

After careful examination and computation of each bid, within thirty days the department of administrative services shall award the contract for such printing to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in accordance with section 9.312 of the Revised Code, having proper facilities to ensure prompt performance of the work. No contract shall be awarded unless it contains an agreement for the completion of the work within the time fixed by the department, but the time so fixed may be extended by the department if deemed in the best interest of the state.

Section 125.56 | Printing to be executed within state - exception.
 

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, all printing under sections 125.43 to 125.76 of the Revised Code, shall be executed pursuant to section 125.11 of the Revised Code.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to printing contracts requiring special, security paper of a unique nature if compliance with division (A) will result in an excessive price for the product or acquiring a disproportionately inferior product.

(C) As used in this section, "excessive price" means a price that exceeds by more than five per cent the lowest price submitted on a non-Ohio bid.

Section 125.58 | Failure to execute contract - penalty charge for late orders.
 

The department of administrative services shall promptly notify each successful offeror of the acceptance of the offeror's bid or proposal for state printing. If such offeror fails to execute the contract because of death or other cause, or if the offeror fails to execute the work required by the contract in a proper manner and with reasonable promptness, or the contract is abandoned, or its execution is temporarily suspended, the department may enter into a contract with another person for the prompt execution of the work for the lowest price which may be obtained. Before any work is relet in consequence of the misconduct or default of the contractor, the department shall give the contractor written notice thereof. The department of administrative services may set a daily penalty charge for late orders, provided the penalty schedule and amount are stated in the invitation to bid or request for proposals for the printing.

Section 125.60 | Procurement from community rehabilitation programs definitions.
 

As used in sections 125.60 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Community rehabilitation program" means an agency that:

(1) Is organized under the laws of the United States or this state such that no part of its net income inures to the benefit of any shareholder or other individual;

(2) Is certified as a sheltered workshop, if applicable, by the wage and hour division of the United States department of labor;

(3) Is registered and in good standing with the secretary of state as a domestic nonprofit or not-for-profit corporation;

(4) Complies with applicable occupational health and safety standards required by the laws of the United States or of this state;

(5) Operates in the interest of persons with work-limiting disabilities, provides vocational or other employment-related training to persons with work-limiting disabilities, and employs persons with work-limiting disabilities in the manufacture of products or the provision of services;

(6) Is a nonprofit corporation for federal tax purposes.

(B) "Government ordering office" means any of the following:

(1) Any state agency, including the general assembly, the supreme court, and the office of a state elected official, or any state authority, board, bureau, commission, institution, or instrumentality that is funded in total or in part by state money;

(2) A county, township, or village.

(C) "Person with a work-limiting disability" means an individual who has a disability as defined in the "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990," 104 Stat. 327, 42 U.S.C. 12101, and who:

(1) Because of that disability is substantially limited in the type or quantity of work the individual can perform or is prevented from working regularly;

(2) Meets criteria established by the office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs.

Section 125.601 | Procurement from community rehabilitation programs.
 

The director of administrative services shall establish the office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs within the department of administrative services. The director shall designate an employee of the department to serve as administrator of the office.

Section 125.602 | Agreement to cooperate in providing program services.
 

(A) The department of developmental disabilities, the department of mental health and addiction services, the department of job and family services, the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency, and any other state or governmental agency or community rehabilitation program responsible for the provision of rehabilitation and vocational educational services to persons with work-limiting disabilities may, through written agreement, cooperate in providing resources to the department of administrative services for the operation of the office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs. These resources may include, but are not limited to, leadership and assistance in dealing with the societal aspects of meeting the needs of persons with work-limiting disabilities.

(B) The office and all governmental entities that administer socioeconomic programs may enter into contractual agreements, cooperative working relationships, or other arrangements that are necessary for effective coordination and realization of the objectives of these entities.

Section 125.603 | Additional duties of office of procurement - contracts - pilot programs.
 

(A) The office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs shall do the following in addition to other duties specified in sections 125.60 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code:

(1) Establish, maintain, and periodically update a procurement list of approved supplies and services available from qualified nonprofit agencies;

(2) Monitor the procurement practices of government ordering offices to ensure compliance with sections 125.60 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code;

(3) In cooperation with qualified nonprofit agencies, government ordering offices, the department of developmental disabilities, the department of mental health and addiction services, the department of job and family services, and the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency, develop and recommend to the director of administrative services rules the director shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for the effective and efficient administration of sections 125.60 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code;

(4) Prepare a report of its activities by the last day of December of each year. The report shall be posted electronically on the office's web site.

(B) The office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs may enter into contractual agreements and establish pilot programs to further the objectives of sections 125.60 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code.

Section 125.604 | Application by community program for certification.
 

A community rehabilitation program may apply to the office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs to be certified as qualified to provide its supplies and services for procurement by government ordering offices. The office shall prescribe the form of the application. If the office is satisfied the program is qualified, it shall certify the program as a qualified nonprofit agency for the purposes of sections 125.60 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code.

Section 125.605 | Certification of approved agent - powers of agent.
 

The office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs may certify any entity to serve as an approved agent of a qualified nonprofit agency for the purposes of sections 125.60 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code. The office shall prescribe procedures under which an entity can apply and be considered for such certification. An approved agent may do any of the following:

(A) Contract with the office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs to provide centralized business facilitation or other assistance to qualified nonprofit agencies. The office shall consult with qualified nonprofit agencies before agreeing to such a contract.

(B) Act as a distributor of supplies and services registered on the procurement list maintained by the office under section 125.603 of the Revised Code;

(C) Provide marketing, administrative, and other services related to sales.

Section 125.606 | Fair market price for items on procurement list.
 

Prior to purchases by government ordering offices, the office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs shall attempt to establish for each item on the procurement list a fair market price that is representative of the range of prices that a government ordering office would expect to pay to purchase the item in the marketplace. When establishing a fair market price for an item, the office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs shall consider the costs of doing business with respect to that item, including sales, marketing, and research and development costs and agent fees. If the office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs cannot establish a fair market price for a particular supply or service, the government ordering office shall attempt to establish the fair market price pursuant to division (B) of section 125.607 of the Revised Code for each purchase of such supply or service.

Section 125.607 | Ordering offices to purchase items at fair market price.
 

(A) Before purchasing any supply or service, a governmental ordering office shall determine, in compliance with section 125.035 of the Revised Code, whether the supply or service is on the procurement list maintained by the office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs. If the supply or service is on the list at an established fair market price, the government ordering office shall purchase it from the qualified nonprofit agency or approved agent at that price.

(B) If the supply or service is on the procurement list but a fair market price has not been established, the government ordering office shall attempt to negotiate an agreement with one or more of the listed qualified nonprofit agencies or approved agents. The office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs may accept as fair market price an agreement negotiated between the government ordering office and a qualified nonprofit agency or approved agent.

(C) If an agreement is not successfully negotiated, the office may establish a fair market price, or it may release a government ordering office from the requirements of this section.

(D) A purchase under divisions (A) to (C) of this section is not subject to any competitive selection or competitive bidding requirements, notwithstanding any other provision of law.

(E) The department of administrative services has the authority to structure or regulate competition among qualified nonprofit agencies for the overall benefit of the program.

Section 125.608 | Reimbursement by ordering offices for administrative expenses.
 

All government ordering offices purchasing supplies and services from qualified non-profit agencies or their approved agents shall reimburse the department of administrative services a reasonable sum to cover the department's costs of administering sections 125.60 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code. The department may bill administrative costs to government ordering offices directly, or allow qualified non-profit agencies or approved agents to collect and remit department administrative fees, at the department's discretion. Any department administrative fees collected and remitted by qualified nonprofit agencies or their approved agents shall be considered allowable expenses in addition to the fair market price approved under section 125.606 or 125.607 of the Revised Code. The money so paid shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the general services fund created under section 125.15 of the Revised Code.

Section 125.609 | Release of ordering office from compliance with rules.
 

The department of administrative services, on its own or pursuant to a request from a government ordering office, may release a government ordering office from compliance with sections 125.60 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code. If the department determines that compliance is not possible or not advantageous, or if conditions prescribed in rules as may be adopted under section 125.603 of the Revised Code for granting a release are met, the department may grant a release. The release shall be in writing, and shall specify the supplies or services to which it applies, the period of time during which it is effective, and the reason for which it is granted.

Section 125.6010 | Application of rules - limitation.
 

Section 125.607 of the Revised Code does not apply to the purchase of a product or service available from a state agency, state instrumentality, or political subdivision under any law in effect on July 1, 2005.

Section 125.6011 | Non-government ordering offices exemption.
 

(A) Nothing in sections 125.60 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code shall be construed to prohibit the purchase of a supply or service from a qualified nonprofit agency by a political subdivision that is not a government ordering office.

(B) Purchases made under this section by a political subdivision, as defined in section 125.04 of the Revised Code, are exempt from any competitive selection procedures otherwise required by law. Purchases under this section shall be made from qualified nonprofit agencies or their approved agents.

(C) A political subdivision, as defined in section 125.04 of the Revised Code, may not purchase under division (C) of that section a supply or service on the procurement list established under section 125.603 of the Revised Code.

Section 125.6012 | Ordering offices and agencies to provide necessary information.
 

A government ordering office and qualified nonprofit agency shall provide the necessary information and documentation requested by the office of procurement from community rehabilitation programs to enable the office to effectively administer sections 125.60 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code.

Section 125.65 | Entrepreneur in residence pilot program in LeanOhio office.
 

(A) As used in this section, "small business" has the same meaning as in section 107.63 of the Revised Code.

(B) The LeanOhio office in the department of administrative services shall establish and operate an entrepreneur in residence pilot program. The mission of the entrepreneur in residence pilot program is to provide for better outreach by state government to small businesses, to strengthen coordination and interaction between state government and small businesses, and to make state government programs and functions simpler, easier to access, more efficient, and more responsive to the needs of small businesses.

(C) Not later than the first day of the seventh month after March 3, 2015, the LeanOhio office shall appoint not more than five entrepreneurs in residence from among individuals who are successful in their fields and shall make reasonable efforts to market the entrepreneur in residence program across the state and attract participation from entrepreneurs with various backgrounds, including female entrepreneurs, minority business enterprises as defined in section 122.71 of the Revised Code, and owners of EDGE business enterprises as defined in section 122.922 of the Revised Code. The LeanOhio office may give preference to individuals who have achieved quantifiable improvements using LeanOhio tools and strategies such as lean six sigma and individuals who have achieved a black belt or master black belt certification from the LeanOhio office or an equivalent certification from a private sector office or entity.

The appointment of an entrepreneur in residence is for one year.

The office shall monitor the work of entrepreneurs in residence during the pilot program.

An entrepreneur in residence serves at the pleasure of the LeanOhio office, and the office may discharge without cause an entrepreneur in residence.

(D) The duties of an entrepreneur in residence may include any or all of the following:

(1) Assisting the LeanOhio office in facilitating and developing the scope of lean process improvement events throughout state government;

(2) Assisting the LeanOhio office in holding follow-up meetings to ensure the improvements developed at lean process improvement events are implemented;

(3) Participating in strategic planning efforts for the LeanOhio office or other areas of state government;

(4) Assisting the LeanOhio office with presentations on opportunities for state government to become more efficient and effective;

(5) Facilitating meetings with businesses, state agencies, and local governments that may be affected by process improvements recommended by the LeanOhio office;

(6) Assisting the LeanOhio office in providing continuous improvement training to state employees.

(E) An entrepreneur in residence shall report directly to the LeanOhio office.

An entrepreneur in residence is not entitled to compensation or any reimbursement from the LeanOhio office for expenses the entrepreneur in residence incurs in discharge of the entrepreneur in residence's duties.

(F)(1) Not later than the date that is one year after an entrepreneur in residence was appointed, the entrepreneur in residence shall prepare a report about the entrepreneur's experiences in the program. In the report, the entrepreneur in residence shall make recommendations to the LeanOhio office that further the mission of the entrepreneur in residence program. In particular, the entrepreneur in residence shall make recommendations regarding all of the following:

(a) Elimination of inefficient or duplicative programs or functions of state government that affect small businesses;

(b) Methods of improving the efficiency of the programs or functions of state government that affect small businesses;

(c) Any new program or function affecting small businesses that should be established and implemented by state government;

(d) Any other matter that will further the mission of the entrepreneur in residence pilot program.

The entrepreneur in residence shall provide a copy of the report to the LeanOhio office.

(2) During or upon conclusion of the entrepreneur in residence pilot program, the LeanOhio office may convene an informal working group of entrepreneurs in residence to discuss best practices, experiences, and opportunities for and obstacles to operating small businesses as well as the recommendations in the reports prepared by the entrepreneurs in residence.

(G) Upon conclusion of the entrepreneur in residence pilot program, and after considering the reports of the entrepreneurs in residence and information learned from any informal working group, the LeanOhio office shall prepare a report on the entrepreneur in residence pilot program. In the report, the office shall recommend whether the entrepreneur in residence pilot program should be repeated with or without modifications, made permanent with or without modifications, or abandoned. The office shall append the reports of the entrepreneurs in residence to its report. If the pilot program is repeated or made permanent, an individual who previously was assigned as an entrepreneur in residence shall not be reassigned as an entrepreneur in residence.

The LeanOhio office shall provide a copy of its report to the common sense initiative office. The common sense initiative office promptly shall transmit a copy of the report to the officials designated in the last paragraph of section 107.55 of the Revised Code.

Last updated July 30, 2021 at 3:52 PM

Section 125.70 | Data matching agreements.
 

The department of administrative services shall work with the departments of job and family services and medicaid to deploy private sector tools for digital identity management, authentication, and verification for individuals receiving medicaid benefits, supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, or benefits funded by the temporary assistance for needy families block grant. These private sector tools shall include joining available multistate cooperatives to identify individuals enrolled in public assistance programs, including the national accuracy clearinghouse for the supplemental nutrition assistance program, as well as other multi-state collaborative efforts to share enrollment information across state lines and avoid public assistance benefit duplication.

Last updated July 30, 2021 at 5:50 PM

Section 125.71 | Contractors shall promptly execute orders.
 

All contractors for printing shall promptly execute the orders issued to them by the general assembly and the executive officers of the state. For failure to comply with this section, the bond of a contractor may be forfeited, but for good cause shown by him, the department of administrative services may amend the orders.

Section 125.76 | Application of provisions to all printing, binding.
 

All printing and binding for the state, not authorized by sections 125.43 to 125.71 or section 3345.10 of the Revised Code, except for maps and printing that is the sole responsibility of the clerk of the senate or the clerk of the house of representatives, shall be subject to such sections so far as practical, and whether provided for by law or resolution of the general assembly the department of administrative services shall advertise for bids or proposals and let contracts therefor as provided in such sections.

Section 125.81 | Department of administrative services - powers and duties.
 

The department of administrative services shall:

(A) Analyze and inspect continuously the utilization of all structures and real estate owned by the state or used by its agencies; and analyze and inspect continuously the condition of all such properties and their adequacy for the operations for which they are used.

(B) Promulgate standards relating to the type of architecture, plan of, and utilization of buildings and other structures and public improvements. Such standards shall be made known to all departments, institutions, universities, offices and other agencies and bodies of the state, for their guidance in preparation of requests and recommendations relative to new buildings, new structures, or other public improvements. Before promulgating such standards, the department of administrative services shall hold public hearings on all proposed standards. Reasonable public notice shall be given at least thirty days prior to the date set for a hearing.

Nothing in this section shall interfere with the director of transportation's power to prepare plans for, acquire rights-of-way for, construct, or maintain transportation facilities, or to let contracts for those purposes.

Section 125.82 | Duties of department to employees of terminated agency.
 

Upon notification pursuant to section 126.29 of the Revised Code that any state agency, whether in the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of government, is scheduled to terminate its operations on a specified date, the department of administrative services shall:

(A) Provide for the final payment by mail of the wages or salaries and the value of accumulated vacation leave to former employees of the agency;

(B) Certify the employment status of former employees of the agency who are eligible for unemployment compensation under Chapter 4141. of the Revised Code or under other provisions of state or federal law.

Section 125.83 | Motor vehicle fleet.
 

The department of administrative services shall maintain in the city of Columbus a reasonable supply of motor vehicles designed to carry passengers which shall be made available for the use of any state agency needing transportation facilities of an intermittent or temporary nature. The director of administrative services shall fix the rates of charge for the use of such motor vehicles at a level sufficient to operate, maintain, and replace the fleet of vehicles. Such charges shall be collected by the director and deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the fleet management fund, which is hereby created. The vehicles shall be used only with the permission of the appointing authority and the director. A record of such use shall be kept by the director. The director shall calculate at least once each year a cost per mile of operation for each motor vehicle in the fleet.

Section 125.831 | Fleet management definitions.
 

As used in sections 125.831 to 125.834 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Alternative fuel" means any of the following fuels used in a motor vehicle:

(1) E85 blend fuel;

(2) Blended biodiesel;

(3) Natural gas;

(4) Liquefied petroleum gas;

(5) Hydrogen;

(6) Compressed air;

(7) Any power source, including electricity;

(8) Any fuel not described in divisions (A)(1) to (7) of this section that the United States department of energy determines, by final rule, to be substantially not petroleum, and that would yield substantial energy security and environmental benefits.

(B) "Biodiesel" means a mono-alkyl ester combustible liquid fuel that is derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, or any combination of those reagents that meets the American society for testing and materials specification for biodiesel fuel (B100) blend stock distillate fuels and any other standards that the director of administrative services adopts by rule.

(C) "Blended biodiesel" means a blend of biodiesel with petroleum based diesel fuel in which the resultant product contains not less than twenty per cent biodiesel that meets the American society for testing and materials specification for blended diesel fuel and any other standards that the director of administrative services adopts by rule.

(D) "Diesel fuel" means any liquid fuel that is capable of use in discrete form or as a blend component in the operation of engines of the diesel type.

(E) "E85 blend fuel" means fuel containing eighty-five per cent or more ethanol as defined in section 122.075 of the Revised Code or containing any other percentage of not less than seventy per cent ethanol if the United States department of energy determines, by rule, that the lower percentage is necessary to provide for the requirements of cold start, safety, or vehicle functions, and that meets the American society for testing and materials specification for E85 blend fuel and any other standards that the director of administrative services adopts by rule.

(F) "Law enforcement officer" means an officer, agent, or employee of a state agency upon whom, by statute, a duty to conserve the peace or to enforce all or certain laws is imposed and the authority to arrest violators is conferred, within the limits of that statutory duty and authority, but does not include such an officer, agent, or employee if that duty and authority is location specific.

(G)(1) "Motor vehicle" means any automobile, car minivan, cargo van, passenger van, sport utility vehicle, or pickup truck with a gross vehicle weight of under twelve thousand pounds.

(2) "Motor vehicle" does not include, except for the purposes of division (C) of section 125.832 of the Revised Code, any vehicle described in division (G)(1) of this section that is used by a law enforcement officer and law enforcement agency or any vehicle that is so described and that is equipped with specialized equipment that is not normally found in such a vehicle and that is used to carry out a state agency's specific and specialized duties and responsibilities.

(H) "Specialized equipment" does not include standard mobile radios with no capabilities other than voice communication, exterior and interior lights, or roof-mounted caution lights.

(I) "State agency" means every organized body, office, board, authority, commission, or agency established by the laws of the state for the exercise of any governmental or quasi-governmental function of state government regardless of the funding source for that entity, other than any state institution of higher education, the office of the governor, lieutenant governor, auditor of state, treasurer of state, secretary of state, or attorney general, the general assembly or any legislative agency, the courts or any judicial agency, or any state retirement system or retirement program established by or referenced in the Revised Code.

(J) "State institution of higher education" has the same meaning as in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.

Section 125.832 | Exclusive authority for fleet management.
 

(A) The department of administrative services is granted exclusive authority over the acquisition and management of all motor vehicles used by state agencies. In carrying out this authority, the department shall do both of the following:

(1) Approve the purchase or lease of each motor vehicle for use by a state agency. The department shall decide if a motor vehicle shall be leased or purchased for that use.

Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(1) of this section, on and after July 1, 2005, each state agency shall acquire all passenger motor vehicles under the department's master leasing program. If the department determines that acquisition under that program is not the most economical method and if the department and the state agency acquiring the passenger motor vehicle can provide economic justification for doing so, the department may approve the purchase, rather than the lease, of a passenger motor vehicle for the acquiring state agency.

(2) Direct and approve all funds that are expended for the purchase, lease, repair, maintenance, registration, insuring, and other costs related to the possession and operation of motor vehicles for the use of state agencies.

(B) The director of administrative services shall establish and operate a fleet management program. The director shall operate the program for purposes including, but not limited to, cost-effective acquisition, maintenance, management, analysis, and disposal of all motor vehicles owned or leased by the state. All state agencies shall comply with statewide fleet management policies and procedures established by the director for the program, including, but not limited to, motor vehicle assignments, additions of motor vehicles to fleets or motor vehicle replacements, motor vehicle fueling, and motor vehicle repairs.

(C) The director shall establish and maintain a fleet reporting system and shall require state agencies to submit to the department information relative to state motor vehicles, including motor vehicles described in division (G)(2) of section 125.831 of the Revised Code, to be used in operating the fleet management program. State agencies shall provide to the department fleet data and other information, including, but not limited to, mileage and costs. The data and other information shall be submitted in formats and in a manner determined by the department.

(D) All state agency purchases or leases of motor vehicles are subject to the prior approval of the director under division (A)(1) of this section.

(E) State agencies that utilize state motor vehicles or pay mileage reimbursements to employees shall provide a fleet plan to the department as directed by the department.

(F)(1) The fleets of state agencies that consist of one hundred or less vehicles on July 1, 2004, shall be managed by the department's fleet management program on a time schedule determined by the department, unless the state agency has received delegated authority as described in division (G) of this section.

(2) The fleets of state agencies that consist of greater than one hundred motor vehicles, but less than five hundred motor vehicles, on July 1, 2005, also shall be managed by the department's fleet management program on a time schedule determined by the department, unless the state agency has received delegated authority as described in division (G) of this section.

(G)(1) The department may delegate any or all of its duties regarding fleet management to a state agency, if the state agency demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department both of the following:

(a) Capabilities to institute and manage a fleet management program, including, but not limited to, the presence of a certified fleet manager;

(b) Fleet management performance, as demonstrated by fleet data and other information submitted pursuant to annual reporting requirements and any other criteria the department considers necessary in evaluating the performance.

(2) The department may determine that a state agency is not in compliance with this section and direct that the agency's fleet management duties be transferred to the department.

(H) The proceeds derived from the disposition of any motor vehicles under this section shall be paid to whichever of the following applies:

(1) The fund that originally provided moneys for the purchase or lease of the motor vehicles;

(2) If the motor vehicles were originally purchased with moneys derived from the general revenue fund, the proceeds shall be deposited, in the director's discretion, into the state treasury to the credit of either the fleet management fund created by section 125.83 of the Revised Code or the investment recovery fund created by section 125.14 of the Revised Code. Any such proceeds deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the investment recovery fund may be transferred from the investment recovery fund to the fleet management fund.

(I)(1) The department shall create and maintain a certified fleet manager program.

(2) State agencies that have received delegated authority as described in division (G) of this section shall have a certified fleet manager.

(J) The department annually shall prepare and submit a statewide fleet report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate. The report shall be submitted not later than the thirty-first day of January following the end of each fiscal year. It may include, but is not limited to, the numbers and types of motor vehicles, their mileage, miles per gallon, and cost per mile, mileage reimbursements, accident and insurance data, and information regarding compliance by state agencies having delegated authority under division (G) of this section with applicable fleet management requirements.

(K) The director shall adopt rules for implementing the fleet management program that are consistent with recognized best practices. The program shall be supported by reasonable fee charges for the services provided. The director shall collect these fees and deposit them into the state treasury to the credit for the fleet management fund created by section 125.83 of the Revised Code. The setting and collection of fees under this division is not subject to any restriction imposed by law upon the director's or the department's authority to set or collect fees.

(L) The director also shall adopt rules that prohibit, except in very limited circumstances, the exclusive assignment of state-owned, leased, or pooled motor vehicles to state employees and that prohibit the reimbursement under section 126.31 of the Revised Code of state employees who use their own motor vehicles for any mileage they incur above an amount that the department shall determine annually unless reimbursement for the excess mileage is approved by the department in accordance with standards for that approval the director shall establish in those rules. Beginning on September 26, 2003, no state-owned, leased, or pooled motor vehicle shall be personally assigned as any form of compensation or benefit of state employment, and no state-owned, leased, or pooled motor vehicle shall be assigned to an employee solely for commuting to and from home and work.

(M) The director shall do both of the following:

(1) Implement to the greatest extent possible the recommendations from the 2002 report entitled "Administrative Analysis of the Ohio Fleet Management Program" in connection with the authority granted to the department by this section;

(2) Attempt to reduce the number of passenger vehicles used by state agencies during the fiscal years ending on June 30, 2004, and June 30, 2005.

(N) Each state agency shall reimburse the department for all costs incurred in the assignment of motor vehicles to the state agency.

(O) The director shall do all of the following in managing the fleet management program:

(1) Determine how motor vehicles will be maintained, insured, operated, financed, and licensed;

(2) Pursuant to the formula in division (O)(3) of this section, annually establish the minimum number of business miles per year an employee of a state agency must drive in order to qualify for approval by the department to receive a motor vehicle for business use;

(3) Establish the minimum number of business miles per year at an amount that results when the annual motor vehicle cost is divided by the amount that is the reimbursement rate per mile minus the amount that is the sum of the fuel cost, the operating cost, and the insurance cost. As used in this division:

(a) "Annual motor vehicle cost" means the price of a motor vehicle divided by the number of years an average motor vehicle is used.

(b) "Fuel cost" means the average price per gallon of motor fuel divided by the miles per gallon fuel efficiency of a motor vehicle.

(c) "Insurance cost" means the cost of insuring a motor vehicle per year divided by the number of miles an average motor vehicle is driven per year.

(d) "Operating cost" means the maintenance cost of a motor vehicle per year divided by the number of miles an average motor vehicle is driven per year.

(e) "Reimbursement rate per mile" means the reimbursement per mile rate for travel expenses as provided by rule of the director of budget and management adopted under division (B) of section 126.31 of the Revised Code.

Last updated July 30, 2021 at 3:54 PM

Section 125.834 | State vehicles to be capable of using alternative fuels.
 

(A) The department of administrative services shall ensure that all new motor vehicles acquired by the state for use by state agencies under section 125.832 of the Revised Code are capable of using alternative fuels. A state agency that is acquiring new motor vehicles under division (G)(1) of section 125.832 of the Revised Code shall report annually, in a manner prescribed by the director of administrative services, the number of new motor vehicles acquired by the state agency and the number of those motor vehicles that are capable of using alternative fuel.

(B) The department shall not purchase or lease, or authorize the purchase or lease by a state agency of, any motor vehicles that are incapable of using alternative fuels, unless one or more of the following apply:

(1) The department or state agency is unable to acquire or operate motor vehicles within the cost limitations described in rules adopted under division (D) of this section.

(2) The use of alternative fuels would not meet the energy conservation and exhaust emissions criteria described in rules adopted under division (D) of this section.

(3) An emergency exists or exigent circumstances exist, as determined by the department of administrative services.

(C) All motor vehicles owned or leased by the state that are capable of using an alternative fuel shall use an alternative fuel if the fuel is reasonably available at a reasonable price. The director of administrative services, under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt rules to implement the fuel use requirement of this division, and the directors and heads of all state departments and agencies shall issue a directive to all state employees who use state motor vehicles informing them of the fuel use requirement. The directive shall instruct state employees to purchase alternative fuels at retail fuel facilities whenever possible.

As used in this division, "motor vehicle" has the same meaning as in section 125.831 of the Revised Code and also includes all on-road and off-road vehicles powered by diesel fuel, regardless of gross vehicle weight.

(D) The director of administrative services shall adopt and may amend, under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, rules that include both of the following:

(1) Requirements for state agencies in the procurement of alternative fuels and motor vehicles capable of using alternative fuels, and cost limitations for the acquisition and operation of such vehicles;

(2) Energy conservation and exhaust emissions criteria for motor vehicles capable of using alternative fuels.

Section 125.836 | Biodiesel revolving fund.
 

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Biodiesel," "blended biodiesel," and "diesel fuel" have the same meanings as in section 125.831 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Incremental cost" means the difference in cost between blended biodiesel and conventional petroleum-based diesel fuel at the time the blended biodiesel is purchased.

(B) There is hereby created in the state treasury the "biodiesel revolving fund," to which shall be credited moneys appropriated to the fund by the general assembly and any other moneys obtained or accepted by the development services agency for crediting to the fund. Moneys credited to the fund shall be used to pay for the incremental cost of biodiesel for use in vehicles owned or leased by the state that use diesel fuel. The director of development services may direct the director of budget and management to transfer available moneys in the biodiesel revolving fund to the alternative fuel transportation fund created in section 122.075 of the Revised Code to be used by the development services agency for the purposes specified in that section.

Section 125.84 | Acquiring federal surplus property.
 

In conformance with the "Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949," 63 Stat. 377, as amended, similar or related federal property disposal acts of congress, and sections 125.84 to 125.90 of the Revised Code, the department of administrative services may acquire, warehouse, distribute, transfer, retransfer, recapture, revert, and dispose of federal personal property and shall assist in the acquisition, conveyance, reconveyance, recapture, reversion, and disposal of federal real and related personal property, not required for the needs and the discharge of the responsibilities of all federal departments, agencies, boards, and commissions, for the purpose of making such property available for use to eligible state civil defense, health, and educational institutions and organizations; state departments, agencies, boards, and commissions; bodies politic and corporate, political subdivisions, or other district, regional, or similar authorities established by or pursuant to law; duly authorized local tax-supported civil defense organizations; local tax-supported health and educational institutions; local tax-supported institutions and organizations; private nonprofit federally tax-exempt health and educational institutions and organizations in the state; private nonprofit federally tax-exempt institutions, organizations, and activities in the state; and to such other institutions, organizations, or activities in the state as may hereafter become eligible to receive such property.

Any instrument by which real property is acquired pursuant to this section shall identify the agency of the state that has the use and benefit of the real property as specified in section 5301.012 of the Revised Code.

Section 125.85 | Complying with federal requirements.
 

The department of administrative services shall make such certifications, take such action, make such expenditures and enter into such contracts, agreements and undertaking for and in the name of the state of Ohio, require such reports and make such investigations as may be required by law or regulation by the United States in connection with acquiring, conveying, reconveying, recapturing, reverting and disposing of federal real and related personal property prior to such property being or after such property has been quitclaimed or otherwise conveyed to transferees and such department may take similar actions for the purpose of acquiring, warehousing, distributing, transferring, retransferring, recapturing, reverting and disposing of federal personal property prior to such property being or after such property is in possession of recipients.

Section 125.86 | Approving or disapproving, and processing applications.
 

In conformance with the provisions of section 125.84 of the Revised Code, the department of administrative services shall: receive, approve or disapprove, and process applications from eligible entities which need and can utilize federal real and related personal property; make recommendations in conformance with state law and the policies, rules, and standards of affected departments, commissions, and boards of state government regarding such need and suitability for use of such property; and otherwise assist in conveying such property to such entities. The department, following conveyance, shall conduct such surveys, make such investigations and such inspections as may be necessary to determine whether transferees are utilizing such property in conformance with the reservations and restrictions contained in any federal or state document or federal instrument of conveyance and shall make reports and recommendations to the federal government for the purpose of reconveying such property for use to eligible applicants or for the purpose of recapturing such property for the United States.

Section 125.87 | Service charges - fees.
 

Transferees, recipients, and entities referred to in sections 125.84 to 125.90 of the Revised Code shall be required to pay to the department of administrative services such service charges or fees as the department may require in connection with federal property acquired, warehoused, distributed, transferred, conveyed, or reconveyed by the department and may be required to pay service charges or fees, if any, on property recaptured, reverted, or disposed of by the department when such action pertains to that property on which title is restricted by: the United States; the rules or orders of the department; the rules issued in conformance with section 5502.25 of the Revised Code; or sections 125.84 to 125.90 of the Revised Code. All service charges or fees collected by the department under this section shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the investment recovery fund created under section 125.14 of the Revised Code.

Section 125.88 | Governing bodies - powers.
 

The governing body of any public authority, office, organization, or semiautonomous entity referred to in section 125.84 of the Revised Code may appropriate, authorize the expenditure of, obligate and expend funds for service charges or fees assessed by the department of administrative services for federal property acquired, retransferred, recaptured, reverted, or disposed of under sections 125.84 to 125.90 of the Revised Code and may accept federal personal property for redistribution in the state, and if accepted shall redistribute such property to any eligible class, division, or unit of government authorized by the department to acquire retransferable property and shall collect and reimburse the department for such departmental service charges as may be levied in connection with such retransfers; but those entities receiving property that may be or is to be retransferred or loaned, shall, as the department may require, be held accountable for the use of such property and for maintaining records thereof. Federal personal property transferred to a body politic and corporate or a political subdivision or transferred for use or redistribution by a public office or a district or regional or similar authority, for the purpose of complying with the applicable provisions of the rules promulgated by authority of section 5502.25 of the Revised Code, also may be loaned on a nonprofit basis, by assignment, to approved organized and supporting agencies and auxiliaries.

Section 125.89 | Exchange of property, facilities, personnel, and services.
 

Subject to the approval of the governor, the department of administrative services may enter into contracts, compacts, and cooperative agreements for and on behalf of the state of Ohio with the several states or the federal government, singularly or severally, in order to provide, with or without reimbursement, for the utilization by and exchange between them, singularly or severally, of property, facilities, personnel, and services of each by the other, and, for the same purpose, to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with eligible public or private state or local authorities, institutions, organizations, or activities.

Section 125.90 | Administrative rules.
 

For the purpose of executing its authority, under sections 125.84 to 125.90 of the Revised Code, and in order to continuously conform with current federal property disposal acts and applicable rules of federal departments, agencies, boards, and commissions, the department of administrative services, notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, may adopt, amend, or rescind rules and orders and prescribe requirements and standards deemed necessary and suitable for the administration of sections 125.84 to 125.90 of the Revised Code, that are not inconsistent with the applicable parts of the rules issued under section 5502.25 of the Revised Code. Such department rules as are adopted shall become effective upon approval by the governor and being filed in the office of the secretary of state.

All courts shall take judicial notice of rules adopted pursuant to sections 125.84 to 125.90 of the Revised Code. State or local plans, ordinances, resolutions, rules, or orders adopted pursuant to sections 125.84 to 125.90 of the Revised Code may be read in evidence, at any time, from a copy thereof, if there is contained on the same page or in the same publication in which such copy is contained, a printed certificate of the secretary of state or local official that such copy is a correct transcript of the text of the original.

Section 125.901 | Geographically referenced information program council.
 

(A) There is hereby established the Ohio geographically referenced information program council within the department of administrative services to coordinate the property owned by the state. The department of administrative services shall provide administrative support for the council.

(B) The council shall consist of the following fourteen members:

(1) The state chief information officer, or the officer's designee, who shall serve as the council chair;

(2) The director of natural resources, or the director's designee;

(3) The director of transportation, or the director's designee;

(4) The director of environmental protection, or the director's designee;

(5) The director of development, or the director's designee;

(6) The attorney general, or the attorney general's designee;

(7) The chancellor of higher education or the chancellor's designee;

(8) The chief of the division of oil and gas resources management in the department of natural resources or the chief's designee;

(9) The director of public safety or the director's designee;

(10) The executive director of the county auditors' association or the executive director's designee;

(11) The executive director of the county commissioners' association or the executive director's designee;

(12) The executive director of the county engineers' association or the executive director's designee;

(13) The executive director of the Ohio municipal league or the executive director's designee;

(14) The executive director of the Ohio townships association or the executive director's designee.

(C) Members of the council shall serve without compensation.

Last updated September 21, 2023 at 3:02 PM

Section 125.902 | Council real property management plan.
 

(A) As used in this section, "state agency" or "agency" does not include the general assembly or any legislative agency, any court or judicial agency, the secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, or attorney general and their respective offices.

(B) The Ohio geographically referenced information program council shall develop and annually update a real property management plan. Every state agency authorized to own or acquire real property shall provide the council with information necessary to develop and update the plan.

(C) The plan shall include the following:

(1) A comprehensive report on the total number of real property assets the state owns;

(2) Information uniquely identifying each real property asset of each state agency and associated characteristics of the real property;

(3) Life-cycle cost estimations associated with the costs relating to the acquisition of real property assets by purchase, condemnation, exchange, lease, or otherwise;

(4) The cost and time required to dispose of state real property assets and the financial recovery of the state investment resulting from the disposal;

(5) The operating, maintenance, and security costs of state properties, including the cost of utility services at unoccupied properties;

(6) The environmental costs associated with ownership of property, including the cost of environmental restoration and compliance activities;

(7) Changes in the amount of vacant state space;

(8) The realization of equity value in state real property assets;

(9) Opportunities for cooperative arrangements with the commercial real estate community;

(10) The enhancement of agency productivity through an improved working environment.

(D) The council shall develop and update a real property inventory. Every state agency authorized to own or acquire real property shall provide the council with information necessary to develop and update the inventory. For purposes of the inventory, each state agency shall provide to the council, and the council shall collect, information uniquely identifying each real property asset of each state agency and associated characteristics of the real property. Each agency shall make its best efforts to obtain the required information on the property it owns and shall submit updated information to the council as it becomes available.

Section 125.903 | [Former R.C. 113.41, amended and renumbered by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Database of real property under state control.
 

(A) The department of administrative services shall develop and maintain a comprehensive and descriptive database of all real property under the custody and control of the state, except when otherwise required for reasons of homeland security. The database shall adequately describe, when known, the location, boundary, and acreage of the property, the use and name of the property, and the contact information and name of the state agency managing the property. The information in the database shall be available to the public free of charge through a searchable internet web site.

(B) Each landholding state agency shall collect and maintain a geographic information systems database of its respective landholdings, and shall provide the database to the Ohio geographically referenced information program council established in section 125.901 of the Revised Code.

(C) As used in this section, "state-owned property" does not include state property owned or under the control of the general assembly or any legislative agency, any court or judicial agency, the secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, or attorney general and their respective offices.

Last updated September 25, 2023 at 5:21 PM

Section 125.95 | Prescription drug transparency and affordability advisory council.
 

(A) There is hereby created within the department of administrative services the prescription drug transparency and affordability advisory council. The department shall provide administrative support to the advisory council as necessary for the advisory council to carry out its duties under this section.

(1) Members of the advisory council shall include the following:

(a) The director of administrative services;

(b) The director of health;

(c) The medicaid director;

(d) The director of mental health and addiction services;

(e) The administrator of workers' compensation.

(2) Members of the advisory council shall also include individuals who are working to address prescription drug availability and affordability in any of the following areas:

(a) Insurance;

(b) Local, state, and federal government service;

(c) Private industry;

(d) Organizations of faith;

(e) Health care providers;

(f) Consumer organizations;

(g) Prescription drug manufacturers;

(h) Prescription drug wholesale distributors;

(i) Pharmacists;

(j) Business organizations;

(k) Individuals concerned about mental health or substance abuse matters;

(l) Advocates for individuals struggling to afford prescription drugs.

The governor, the senate president, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall each appoint three members, each of whom represents at least one of the categories listed in divisions (A)(2)(a) to (l) of this section.

(B) Members shall serve without compensation. Initial appointments shall be made not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments.

(C) Not later than six months after the date of initial appointments under division (B) of this section, the advisory council shall submit a report to the governor, the general assembly, and the chairperson of the joint medicaid oversight committee in accordance with section 101.68 of the Revised Code. The report shall include recommendations on all of the following:

(1) How this state can best achieve prescription drug price transparency;

(2) New payment models or other avenues to create the most affordable environment for purchasing prescription drugs;

(3) Leveraging this state's purchasing power across all state agencies, boards, commissions, and similar entities;

(4) Creating efficiencies across different health care systems, such as hospitals, the criminal justice system, treatment and recovery support programs, and employer-sponsored health insurance, to reduce duplicative service delivery across these systems, ensure that patients receive high quality and affordable prescription drugs, and support quality care and outcomes;

(5) Which critical outcomes can be measured and used to improve this state's system of purchasing affordable prescribed drugs;

(6) How federal, state, and local resources are being used to optimize these outcomes and identify where the resources can be better coordinated or redirected to meet the needs of consumers in this state.

(D) State agencies, boards, commissions, and similar entities shall cooperate with and provide assistance to the advisory council as necessary for the advisory council to carry out its duties under this section.

(E) On the effective date of this amendment, the advisory council shall cease to exist. Thereafter, the joint medicaid oversight committee may examine any of the topics described in the report prepared by the former advisory council under division (C) of this section upon the request of a member of the committee.

Last updated October 8, 2021 at 4:49 PM

Section 125.97 | Required notice on forms.
 

All forms used to obtain information from private business, agriculture, or local governments, except those forms used by the tax commissioner for administration of taxes and programs, shall contain a conspicuous notice on the first page setting forth the authorization for the form and stating whether providing the information sought is required or voluntary, and any penalties that apply to failure to provide the information.