Key Points

1. 1)Outdated rules that mandate particular materials for water infrastructure increase costs and water rates.
2. 2)Implementing open-procurement practices that lack these mandates could yield cost savings from 26 to 39 percent.
3. 3)State public-private partnership (P3) offices are well positioned to coordinate and advise municipal-procurement reform.
4. 4)Legislative staff are positioned to compile procurement reform options as part of capital-budgeting processes.