Legal - Research Resources on Procurement and Government Contracts
 -- Bibliography of Resources
(Updated: 2/17/13)     

Attached is a list of reference materials regarding government contracts, procurement, information technology, and construction.


 Acts Amending Procurement Code
(Updated: 9/1/11)     

In 2009, General Assembly enacted changes to the Procurement Code, primarily regarding in-state vendor preferences. A copy of 2009 S. 116 (Act 72) is attached below.

In 2008, the General Assembly enacted significant changes to the Procurement Code, primarily to Article 9, which addresses construction. Those changes appear in 2008 Act No. 174 (Senate Bill 282), a copy of which is posted below.

In 2006, the General Assembly passed five Acts that amended the Consolidated Procurement Code. Of those, 2006 Act 376 (Senate Bill 572) was the most significant. Many of this act's changes were technical. Many others codified long-standing practices. The attached version of the bill (S. 572) shows all the changes as against the procurement code then in effect. Also attached are announcements and documentation related to the changes made by Act 376.

Regulations - for information regarding changes to the procurement regulations, scroll down to entries beginning with the word "Regulation".


 Admission pro hac vice
(Updated: 11/21/07)     

Rule 404 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules, which governs the admission to practice law pro hac vice, was recently admended. As amended, this rule governs pro hac vice admissions for practice before an administrative body. See also Regulation 19-446.


 Appellate Decisions Citing the Procurement Code or Regulations
(Updated: 11/21/07)     

Appellate Decisions Citing the Procurement Code or Regulations


 Arbitration & Government Contracts
(Updated: 1/20/12)     

Attached are two decisions regarding the enforceability of contract clauses requiring mandatory binding arbitration.


 Attorney Communications with Government Officials
(Updated: 11/21/07)     

Court order ruling that Rule 4.2 of the Rules of Professional Conduct requires that a lawyer representing a private party in a controversy with the government must - at a minimum - give government counsel advance notice before communicating with represented government officials. Quirk v. Palms, C/A No. 3:02-1238-22 (D.S.C. July 3, 2003).


 Clemson University Procurement Code for Economic Development Infrastructure
(Updated: 11/21/07)     

Clemson University Procurement Code for Economic Development Infrastructure


 Collecting Debts Due the Government
(Updated: 11/21/07)     

A document containing information about collecting debts owed to government.


 Construction - Public Contracts & Procurement - Resource
(Updated: 2/5/13)     

Recently, the South Carolina Bar published a book entitled South Carolina Construction Law Handbook. Chapter two of the book is dedicated to Public Construction Projects - State and Local. The attached file includes the title page, a detailed table of contents (which does not appear in book), the table of contents for the entire book, and an order form / brochure. To order online, use this order form.


 Designated Board Offices & Officers
(Updated: 11/21/07)     

Section 11-35-540(5) requires the executive director of the Budget & Control Board to designate the office or officer responsible for certain statutory roles referenced in the Consolidated Procurement Code as "designated board office" and "designated board officer." This document is the most current designation issued.


 Emergency Procurements
(Updated: 11/24/08)     

The South Carolina Supreme Court recently issued a decision regarding an emergency procurement conducted by DOT. While the procurement was not conducted under the Consolidated Procurement Code, the opinion addresses the Procurement Code's rules regarding emergency procurements and provides some direction regarding how narrow this source selection method may be. Required reading for all procurement officers.


 Indemnification & Government Contracts
(Updated: 4/21/14)     

The South Carolina Attorney General has issued numerous opinions on the legality of indemnification clauses in contracts with state agencies. A recent opinion addresses attempts to circumvent the limits on such obligations by artfully drafted clauses regarding "financial responsibility." (See opinion dated February 7, 2013).

The Attorney General has also advised against the State agreeing to defend a contractor against third party claims.

Recent examples of these opinions are attached, as is an overview and analysis, including tips on how to avoid these obligations.


 Index of Panel Opinions by Subject and Code Section (partial)
(Updated: 11/21/07)     

Partial Index of Procurement Review Panel Opinions by Subject and Code Section.


 Minority Preferences
(Updated: 1/29/09)     

Attached are several recent cases that may be of interest. They discuss various aspects of minority / MBE / race based / racial preferences in the context of public contracts.


 MUHA Construction Procurement Policy
(Updated: 11/21/07)     

MUHA Construction Procurement Policy


 Primer on Protest Procedures
(Updated: 11/21/07)     

Recently, the South Carolina Bar published a book entitled South Carolina Administrative Practice and Procedure. Chapter seven of the book is dedicated to the procedures applicable to protesting state action taken pursuant to the Consolidated Procurement Code. The attached file includes the title page, table of contents, contents for the procurement chapter, and an order form.


 Principles of Competition in Public Procurements
(Updated: 5/20/11)     

In 1998, the American Bar Association's House of Delegates approved a resolution outlining ten Principles of Competition in Public Procurements and urging that any public acquisition at the federal, state, local, and territorial level adhere to these principles in obtaining supplies, services, and construction. These principles are posted by the ABA here.

The underlying report, issued by a committee of the ABA's Section of Public Contract Law, is attached.


 Principles of Public Procurement - NIGP
(Updated: 2/1/13)     

Attached is NIGP's Values and Guiding Principles of Public Procurement.


 Procurement Law Research Checklist
(Updated: 11/21/07)     

Procurement Law Research Checklist


 Protest Bond - Samples
(Updated: 7/3/08)     

Example of a protest bond actually posted with the chief procurement officer.


 Regulations - 2007 Amendments - HISTORICAL ONLY
(Updated: 7/8/08)     

On May 25, 2007, final regulations were published in the State Register that substantially modified the Procurement Regulations. The Procurement Regulations as they existed before these amendments is posted below. Also posted below are documents highlighting the changes made by the 2007 amendments.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING THE REGULATIONS PUBLISHED IN THE STATE REGISTER ON MAY 25, 2007: Regulation 19-445.2000(E) states as follows: "Except as otherwise provided herein, these regulations are effective upon publication in the State Register. The following additions or revisions to this regulation 19-445 apply only to solicitations issued after the first Monday in September following the legislative session during which they are approved: Sections 2010, -.2015, -.2050, -.2095, -.2097, -.2105, -.2120, -.2180."

A "redline" version posted below shows the changes made to the existing regulations by the regulations published on May 25, 2007. This redline version is offered only as a tool to assist in identifying changes. Users must rely on the official versions published in the Code of Regulations and the State Register!


 Regulations - 2008 Amendments - HISTORICAL ONLY
(Updated: 7/8/08)     

On May 23, 2008, final regulations were published in the State Register that substantially modified the Procurement Regulations. Section-by-Section discussions of these changes are attached. In addition, the Procurement Regulations as they existed before these amendments is posted below.


 Research University Procurement Code & Regulations for Research Infrastructure
(Updated: 11/21/07)     

Research University Procurement Code & Regulations for Research Infrastructure; Supporting Documentation.


 USC Proc. Code & Regs for Econ Dev & Res
(Updated: 11/21/07)     

USC Procurement Code and Regulations for Economic Development and Research (approved pursuant to 11-51-190) SUPERCEDED: When approving the S.C. Research University Procurement Code for Research Infrastructure (see entry above), the Board stated that the new Research University Code "replaces" USC's previous code.