LIHU‘E — New state-mandated legislation requires all vendors that are awarded state and county contracts be registered with the state using the Hawai‘i Compliance Express system. Kaua’i County announced Friday that it will be required to verify a vendor has
LIHU‘E — New state-mandated legislation requires all vendors that are awarded state and county contracts be registered with the state using the Hawai‘i Compliance Express system.
Kaua’i County announced Friday that it will be required to verify a vendor has registered with the state’s HCE system and is compliant with HRS 103D-310(c) for tax, labor and registration laws before being awarded purchases of $2,500 or more, effective immediately.
Act 190, passed by the Legislature this year and recently signed into law by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, mandates that all vendors awarded contracts with the state and counties be registered with and utilize HCE, the county news release states. The state will no longer issue paper certifications, requiring all parties to utilize the online system for verification.
“We encourage all entities on Kaua‘i who wish to do business with the county to register on HCE,” Assistant Chief Procurement Officer Ernest Barreira said in the announcement. He added that even if a vendor submits the low bid, unless it is registered in HCE and is compliant, the award cannot be made.
“The law is clear and obligates the county to verify the vendor’s status on any procurement of $2,500 or more,” he said.
The county said vendors, contractors and service providers that need to register in HCE should follow instructions on FAQ No. 5, “How do I register my business in the HCE?” at hawaii.gov/spo and under “Quicklinks,” click “Hawai‘i Compliance Express.”
Vendors with questions should contact Ernest Barreira at 241-4295.
