The Department of General Services and the California Department of Technology issued a joint Broadcast Bulletin outlining the new requirements for IT contract post-evaluation forms as mandated by AB 971.

As stated by the bill, all IT services totaling $500,000 or more must be followed up with a post-evaluation form. All post evaluations must use standard form STD 971 found in the Statewide Forms Directory, adhere to the new procurement policy demonstrated in the State Contracting Manual (SCM) and State Administrative Manual (SAM), and follow procedures unique to each state department.

Additionally, while not required, the DGS and CDT encourage state departments to use STD 971 in order to complete post-evaluation forms on IT services that total under $500,000.

The bill designates that the CDT be the central depository for STD 971 forms. Detailed procedures on how to submit post-evaluation forms to the CDT can be found in the new sections of the SCM.

The new sections include “Do’s and Don’ts of Contract Administration” in the SCM and “Post Award Activity” in the SAM.

AB 971, which was approved by the governor on Oct. 3, 2019, took effect on Jan. 1, 2020. All qualifying IT services completed after Jan. 1 will require post evaluations as specified by the bill.