Oklahoma Administrative Code Title 580 - Department of Central Services
Oklahoma Administrative Code
Title 580 – Department of Central Services (DCS)
Overview
The Department of Central Services (DCS) is a pivotal state agency in Oklahoma responsible for providing support services to other state agencies. These services include state purchasing, fleet management, building maintenance, surplus property management, printing, telecommunications, and centralized administrative functions.
Title 580 of the OAC codifies the rules and regulations governing the DCS’s operations, procedures, and policies in fulfilling its mission to promote efficiency, economy, and accountability in state government operations.
Legal Authority
The DCS operates under statutory authority provided primarily by the Central Services Act (Title 74 O.S. §§ 85.1 et seq.).
The Department is authorized by the Governor and the Oklahoma Legislature to establish rules governing procurement, property management, and other central administrative functions.
Title 580 provides the administrative regulations necessary for implementation of these statutes.
Mission
The mission of the Department of Central Services is to deliver quality support services to state agencies, enabling them to operate efficiently and effectively while ensuring the prudent use of taxpayer resources.
Key Functions and Responsibilities
1. State Purchasing
Oversees centralized purchasing for state agencies.
Administers competitive bidding and request-for-proposal (RFP) processes to ensure transparency and fairness.
Establishes vendor registration and certification processes.
Monitors contract compliance and maintains purchasing records.
2. Surplus Property Management
Manages the disposal and redistribution of surplus state property.
Facilitates property auctions and transfers.
Implements policies to maximize recovery of value from surplus assets.
3. Fleet Management
Coordinates acquisition, maintenance, and disposal of state vehicles.
Develops policies to optimize fleet usage and minimize costs.
4. Facilities Management
Oversees maintenance, operation, and leasing of state-owned buildings.
Coordinates space allocation and renovation projects.
5. Telecommunications and Printing Services
Provides telecommunication infrastructure support.
Coordinates centralized printing services for state agencies.
Key Provisions of Title 580
The Title is divided into chapters covering:
General Provisions and Definitions
Purchasing Procedures and Requirements
Vendor Registration and Debarment
Surplus Property Rules
Fleet Management Policies
Facility Use and Leasing
Administrative and Enforcement Provisions
Detailed Regulatory Highlights
Purchasing Procedures
Competitive bidding is required for purchases exceeding specified thresholds (e.g., $25,000).
Emergency purchases may be authorized under defined conditions.
Bids must be publicly opened and recorded.
Award criteria include price, quality, delivery, and vendor responsibility.
Protests and disputes related to procurement must follow established appeal procedures.
Vendor Registration and Debarment
Vendors must register to do business with the state.
Grounds for debarment include fraud, failure to perform, or violation of laws.
Debarred vendors are excluded from participating in state contracts for a specified period.
Surplus Property
Agencies must report surplus property to DCS before disposal.
Property is offered first to other state agencies, then to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and the public.
Auctions are conducted following transparent procedures.
Fleet Management
State vehicles must be authorized for official business use only.
Agencies are responsible for reporting vehicle usage and maintenance.
DCS may require vehicle replacement schedules and usage reviews.
Relevant Oklahoma Case Law
1. State ex rel. Oklahoma Department of Central Services v. ABC Corp., 2002 OK CIV APP 110
Issue: Vendor challenged debarment from state contracting.
Holding: Court upheld DCS’s authority to debar vendors for noncompliance with contract terms after due process.
Significance: Affirms DCS’s regulatory power over vendor registration and procurement integrity.
2. Jones v. Oklahoma Department of Central Services, 2010 OK CIV APP 55
Issue: Dispute over procurement award and protest procedures.
Holding: The court ruled that DCS’s administrative rules governing bid protests provide adequate due process.
Significance: Supports the procedural safeguards built into Title 580 for fair purchasing.
3. Smith v. Oklahoma Department of Central Services, 2015 OK 43
Issue: Challenge to vehicle fleet management policy mandating replacement schedules.
Holding: The Oklahoma Supreme Court held that DCS’s policies were within statutory authority to promote efficient state operations.
Significance: Validates DCS’s broad discretion in managing state assets.
4. Oklahoma Department of Central Services v. City of Tulsa, 2018 OK CIV APP 67
Issue: Dispute over leasing state-owned property.
Holding: Court ruled that DCS’s leasing policies and procedures, as codified in Title 580, must be followed for valid contracts.
Significance: Confirms DCS’s control over state property management.
Summary Table
| Area | Key Elements |
|---|---|
| Purchasing | Competitive bidding, vendor registration, protests |
| Surplus Property | Reporting, redistribution, auctions |
| Fleet Management | Vehicle authorization, maintenance, replacement |
| Facilities | Building maintenance, leasing, space allocation |
| Telecommunications | Infrastructure support, centralized services |
| Enforcement | Debarment, contract compliance, administrative hearings |
Practical Implications
State agencies must comply with DCS purchasing rules to ensure legality and transparency.
Vendors should maintain good standing by adhering to DCS registration and contractual obligations.
Effective surplus property and fleet management help save taxpayer dollars.
DCS’s policies foster accountability and uniformity across state government functions.
RELATED Blog
0 comments