Opinion No. (1999)

BILL LOCKYER Attorney General GREGORY L. GONOT Deputy Attorney General THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES has requested an opinion on the following question: May the Department of Developmental Services contract with a corporation employing disabled persons to provide janitorial services at state developmental centers without following an advertised, competitive bidding process? CONCLUSION The Department of Developmental Services may not contract with a corporation employing disabled persons to provide janitorial services at state developmental centers without following an advertised, competitive bidding process. ANALYSIS The policy of the state is to encourage public agencies to contract for services performed by disabled persons. Welfare and Institutions Code section 19403 1 states: "It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage state organizations, cities, counties, districts, and other political subdivisions to purchase products manufactured by and services provided by public or private nonprofit California corporations operating workshops serving individuals with disabilities whenever it is feasible to do so and the proximity of the public or private nonprofit…