Governor Rell: About the Task Force

Governor's Task Force on Contracting Reform

About the Task Force

“We must restore confidence in the state contracting process. Contracts must be awarded to those who submit responsible bids through a process that is open, honest and fair. These are the principles we must set to operate state government with the highest standards of integrity and to guarantee the most efficient use of the taxpayers’ dollars.”

- Governor M. Jodi Rell
July 8, 2004

The Charge

On July 8, 2004, Governor M. Jodi Rell announced the formation of the Governor's Task Force on Contracting Reform. Governor Rell, sworn in as Connecticut's 87th Governor on July 6, 2004, established the Task Force as one of her first official acts as Governor.

The Task Force is charged with reviewing and recommending improvements in the procedures used by the state of Connecticut to purchase goods and services.

Governor Rell named State Senator Don DeFronzo, (D-New Britain), chairman of the General Assembly’s Government Administration and Elections Committee, and James Fleming, Commissioner of the Department of Public Works, co-chairs of the task force.

The task force will provide Governor Rell with a final report by September 1.

The Scope

The entire scope of state purchasing will be examined, including the awarding of contracts for construction, leases, personal services, property management and the purchase of goods and equipment.

Governor Rell asked the Task Force to address issues of ethics and integrity, and make recommendations regarding “process improvements.”

Among the specific ideas the Governor asked the Task Force to consider are:

Adopting clear and consistent procedures for evaluation of bids and contractor performance.
Requiring agencies to maintain complete, clear and open records of the contractor selection process, including written justification for decisions by those involved in the selection process.
Establishing a binding and enforceable code of ethics for all those conducting business with the state.
Authorizing the suspension of contractors engaged in wrong doing related to existing state contracts.
Establishing a permanent oversight board for all major state contracts to ensure consistency and adherence to all contracting requirements.
Requiring all contractors, not only those with large state contracts, to adhere to laws concerning disclosure of gifts to state employees.
Reviewing the role of the State Properties Review Board to ensure appropriate oversight of all state leases.
Implementing provisions of the Governor’s Executive Order #1 and recent contracting reform legislation.
Enacting a False Claims Act, modeled after the federal statute, providing for damages and penalties against contractors who defraud the state.

The Members

The Task Force is co-chaired by State Senator Donald DeFronzo (D - New Britain), co-chair of the General Assembly’s Government Administration and Elections Committee, and James T. Fleming, Commissioner of Public Works.

The appointees include state agency heads, members of the General Assembly and private citizens with detailed knowledge of, and expertise on, contracting procedures in both the public and private sectors.

Click here for a complete list of Task Force Members.

Content Last Modified on 7/23/2004 9:49:09 AM

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