Item Description:
title
Adopt revisions to the Hennepin County purchasing rules, including adopting a Responsible Contractor Policy for contract solicitations for construction and building maintenance, repair, and remodeling contracts and building services contracts
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners adopts the revised Hennepin County Purchasing Rules, dated June 2026; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approves the Responsible Contractor Policy for building maintenance agreements.
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Background:
In October 2025 the Hennepin County Board adopted resolution 25-0374 directing the administrator to (1) draft a Responsible Contractor Policy for maintenance contract solicitations; (2) meet with relevant stakeholders to discuss policy elements; (3) present a recommended Responsible Contractor Policy to the Board.
The proposed policy builds from the State of Minnesota responsible contractor law (Minn. Stat. Sec. 16C.285) which applies to construction contracts in excess of $50,000. Pursuant to this law, contractors must meet the statute’s responsible contractor requirements for any Hennepin County construction contract in excess of $50,000. This policy extends these requirements to contractors with Hennepin County for building maintenance contracts in excess of $50,000, including, but not limited to, janitorial, window washing, and security services. This policy requires that these contractors:
● Meet state and federal licensing requirements;
● Are in good standing and do not have confirmed recent wage and hour violations;
● Pay the prevailing wage when required by Hennepin County, which may be met by wage payment or a combination of wage payment and fringe benefits;
● Provide employees with a complaint/grievance procedure;
● Meet Hennepin County requirements for job related training;
● Meet Hennepin County and industry environmental and green standards; and,
● Provide and maintain sanitary and safety accommodations for the use and protection, and health and welfare of the Contractor’s employees in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances.
Hennepin County staff met with stakeholders including small business building maintenance contractors and union officials to discuss elements of the policy. Stakeholder feedback was incorporated into the final policy draft.
Proposed revisions to the Hennepin County Purchasing Rules update section 6.B.9 - Determination that Low Bidder is Responsible - and incorporates the Responsible Contractor Policy into the bidding procedures for determining that a bidder is fully qualified to carry out the terms of the county contract.
The Hennepin County Purchasing Rules codify County Board resolutions/policies and Minnesota statutes governing purchasing. The County Board last approved revisions to the County's Purchasing Rules in 2023, Resolution 23-0338.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval