3.1 General Acquisition Procedures

State agencies are required to acquire vehicles from the statewide contracts developed by the State Purchasing Division. Vehicles not on statewide contract and vehicles with special specifications not on contract will be purchased in accordance with DOAS SPD regulations with prior approval of OFM/OPB.

Agencies are authorized to operate mid-size automobiles but are encouraged to acquire compact automobiles wherever possible. If subcompact or compact automobiles for specific jobs are too small to satisfy the operating needs of those jobs, an agency is authorized to obtain midsized automobiles. Mid-sized automobiles are those typically defined as such by rental car companies. These automobiles are usually four-door, can accommodate up to four persons comfortably (with a maximum of five persons), and hold up to four pieces of luggage.

Agencies have full discretion on the size of automobiles that they may obtain, up to and including midsized automobiles, light duty trucks, and heavy-duty trucks based on their own assessments of their business needs. 

Requests for full-size automobiles, SUVs or vehicles with options not included in the equipment shown in the vehicle standard specification must be justified in the request to OFM. OFM will coordinate with OPB and provide the agency written notification of approval decisions prior to purchase.

State vehicles are acquired using various funding sources. Whether they are acquired through the Annual Operating Budget, Agency Program Funds, Federal Funds, Grants, Donations or other means, all will be managed as state vehicles and must be in compliance with all applicable state statutes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures