(a) There is established in the Department of General Services an energy-efficient vehicle group purchase program. The department shall negotiate the lowest possible purchase price, with one or more vendors, for energy-efficient vehicles on behalf of state and local agencies that are interested in obtaining those vehicles.

(b) In administering the program, the Director of General Services shall do all of the following:

(1) No later than April 1, 2006, establish an advisory committee, in cooperation with local and state agencies as defined in Section 43812.

(A) The committee shall meet at least once no later than 30 days after all members are appointed.

(B) The committee shall consult with the department regarding the design of the program and other matters relating to the purchase of energy-efficient vehicles, no later than July 30, 2006.

(2) Notify all affected agencies about the purchasing program through the department’s Internet Web site and publications, the Internet Web sites of appropriate associations, governing boards of local agency associations, and other cost-effective means.

(3) After consultation with the committee pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), the director shall negotiate contracts, through competitive means and other appropriate strategies, for the purchase of energy-efficient vehicles at the lowest possible price from one or more reliable vendors.

(4) Include a provision in the vendor contract allowing any state or local agency to purchase energy-efficient vehicles directly from the vendor at the contract price.

(c) The department may recover its actual administrative costs from program participants.

(d) Nothing in this article shall be construed as superseding or precluding any similar program that is administered by a district, any other public agency, or any other person.

(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 580, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)