13:1E-99.25. Contracts for recycled paper, products

17. a. In purchasing any paper or paper products for use by the various agencies and departments of the State government or for any county, municipality or school district pursuant to P.L.1969, c.104 (C.52:25-16.1 et al.), the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property, whenever the price is competitive and the quality satisfactory for the purpose intended, shall make contracts available for those items which are manufactured or produced from recycled paper or recycled paper products. For the purposes of this section, "competitive" means a price no more than 10% above the price of items which are manufactured or produced from virgin paper products; except that the director, upon consultation with the department, may make contracts available for recycled paper or recycled paper products at a price no more than 15% above the price of virgin paper products whenever the director determines that a 15% price preference is in the best interest of the State.

b. The Director of the Division of Purchase and Property, after formal advertisement and solicitation of proposals for recycled paper or recycled paper products, and having received no competitive proposals for recycled paper or recycled paper products, may award the contract for paper or paper products manufactured or produced from virgin paper products in the manner prescribed by law. Any award or contract made for virgin paper products shall not relieve the director of any future obligation to make available contracts for recycled paper or recycled paper products as provided in subsection a. of this section.

L.1987,c.102,s.17; amended 1993,c.109,s.3.