(1) Creation. There is created the South Carolina Procurement Review Panel which is charged with the responsibility to review and determine de novo:

(a) requests for review of written determinations of the chief procurement officers pursuant to Sections 11-35-4210(6), 11-35-4220(5), and 11-35-4230(6); and

(b) requests for review of other written determinations, decisions, policies, and procedures arising from or concerning the procurement of supplies, services, information technology, or construction procured in accordance with the provisions of this code and the ensuing regulations; except that a matter which could have been brought before the chief procurement officers in a timely and appropriate manner pursuant to Sections 11-35-4210, 11-35-4220, or 11-35-4230, but was not, must not be the subject of review under this paragraph. Requests for review pursuant to this paragraph must be submitted to the Procurement Review Panel in writing, setting forth the grounds, within fifteen days of the date of the written determinations, decisions, policies, and procedures.

(2) Membership. The panel must be composed of:

(a) [Reserved]

(b) [Reserved]

(c) [Reserved]

(d) [Reserved]

(e) five members appointed by the Governor from the State at large who must be representative of the professions governed by this title including, but not limited to:

(i) goods and services;

(ii) information technology procurements;

(iii) construction;

(iv) architects and engineers;

(v) construction management; and

(vi) land surveying services;

(f) two state employees appointed by the Governor.

(3) Chairperson and Meetings. The panel shall elect a chairman from the members at large and shall meet as often as necessary to afford a swift resolution of the controversies submitted to it. Four members present and voting shall constitute a quorum. In the case of a tie vote, the decision of the chief procurement officer is final. At-large members of the panel must be paid per diem, mileage, and subsistence as provided by law for members of boards, commissions, and committees. State employee members must be reimbursed for meals, lodging, and travel in accordance with current state allowances.

(4) Jurisdiction. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 23, Title 1 or another provision of law, the Administrative Procedures Act does not apply to administrative reviews conducted by either a chief procurement officer or the Procurement Review Panel. The Procurement Review Panel is vested with the authority to:

(i) establish its own rules and procedures for the conduct of its business and the holding of its hearings;

(ii) issue subpoenas;

(iii) interview any person it considers necessary; and

(iv) record all determinations.

(b) A party aggrieved by a subpoena issued pursuant to this provision shall apply to the panel for relief.

(5) Procedure. Within fifteen days of receiving a grievance filed pursuant to Section 11-35-4210(6), 11-35-4220(5), 11-35-4230(6), or 11-35-4410(1)(b), the chairman shall either convene the review panel to conduct an administrative review or schedule a hearing to facilitate its administrative review. Except for grievances filed pursuant to Section 11-35-4230(6), the review panel shall record its determination within ten working days and communicate its decision to those involved in the determination. In matters designated by the review panel as complex, the review panel shall record its determination within thirty days.

(6) Finality. Notwithstanding another provision of law, including the Administrative Procedures Act, the decision of the Procurement Review Panel is final as to administrative review and may be appealed only to the court of appeals pursuant to Section 1-23-380, and the filing of an appeal does not stay a decision of the panel.

HISTORY: 1981 Act No. 148, Section 1; 1982 Act No. 431, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 178, Section 36; 1997 Act No. 153, Section 1; 2006 Act No. 376, Section 56; 2006 Act No. 387, Section 11; 2019 Act No. 41 (S.530), Section 63, eff May 13, 2019.

Editor's Note

2019 Act No. 41, Section 80, provides as follows:

"SECTION 80. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to solicitations issued after that date."

Effect of Amendment

2019 Act No. 41, Section 63, rewrote (6).