PURPOSE OF GENERAL LETTER 71
This General Letter 71 (GL71), effective JULY 22, 2025, makes technical changes to the JULY 1, 2025, GL71 and updates the Department of Administrative Services’ (“DAS”) limited delegation of authority to executive branch agencies (“Agency” or “Agencies”) for the direct purchase and/or rental of goods and/or services, subject to certain exclusions and limitations.
EXCLUSIONS
a. EXISTING DAS CONTRACTS:
Prior to exercising the authority delegated in this GL71, all executive branch agencies must confirm that there is not an existing DAS contract for the Agency’s desired goods and/or services. See: Guide for locating/searching CTsource for DAS contract portfolio.
If there is an existing DAS contract for the agency’s desired goods and/or service, the Agency must purchase under the existing DAS contract. See: Guide for purchasing under a DAS contract.
b. PSA/POS SERVICE AGREEMENTS:
Purchases under Personal Service Agreements (PSA) and Purchase of Service Agreements (POS) are excluded. Contact the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) for PSA/POS procedures. See: OPM POS/PSA procedures.
c. REAL PROPERTY:
Real property purchases, leases are not authorized under GL71. See: DAS State Leasing and Property Transfer for guidance.
d. INTERAGENCY TRANSFERS:
Interagency transfers are not authorized under GL71.
e. PUBLIC UTILITIES:
Purchasing public utility services are not authorized under GL71. For direct purchasing of public utility services, see CGS 4a-57(e)(1).
LIMITED DELEGATION OF DIRECT PURCHASING AUTHORITY TO EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES
Pursuant to Title 4a, Chapter 58 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended from time to time, DAS delegates to Agencies the authority to purchase and/or rent goods and/or services, directly, $100,000 or less, subject to the following purchasing limitations:
a. Purchases of $25,000 or less when performance is to be completed within 1 year:
- Minor nonrecurring or emergency purchases of $25,000 or less may be made directly between an executive branch agency and provider without obtaining quotations or bids and, if consistent with the Agency’s internal processes, without a written contract. A “minor nonrecurring purchase” is a single purchase of $25,000 or less when the performance is to be completed within 1 year. In accordance with regulations enacted pursuant to Title 4a, Chapter 58, an “emergency” exists when there is “a threat to public health, welfare, safety, or a critical governmental service, such as may arise by reason of floods, epidemics, riots, equipment failures, or similar extraordinary conditions or contingencies that cannot reasonably be foreseen and guarded against. The existence of such a condition creates an immediate and serious need for supplies, materials, equipment or contractual services that cannot be met through normal procurement methods and the lack of which would seriously threaten [the functioning of state government; the preservation or protection of property; or the health or safety of any person].”
- Recurring purchases of $25,000 or less when performance is to be completed within 1 year: Where possible and practical, purchases of $25,000 or less (not including purchases made pursuant to paragraph3.a.i, above) must be made pursuant to a competitive solicitation as provided for in CGS section 4a-57 and based upon at least 3 written quotations or bids from responsible, qualified providers. If consistent with the Agency’s internal processes, no written contract is required for purchases of $25,000 or less when performance is to be completed within 1 year.
b. Purchases over $25,000 or any purchases, regardless of amount, when performance exceeds 1 year:
Where possible and practical, purchases of $100,000 or less (not including purchases made pursuant to paragraph 3.a.i and 3.a.ii above) must be made pursuant to a competitive solicitation as provided for in CGS section 4a-57 and based upon at least 3 written quotations or bids from responsible, qualified providers. When entering into a contract with a provider, the executive branch agency must utilize the appropriate agency contract found here: Agency Contract.
REQUIRED PROCEDURES:
a. Authorized Personnel:
Agencies shall allow purchasing under GL71 only by staff holding the appropriate Core-CT financial permissions.
b. Competitive Solicitation:
When issuing requests for quotations or invitations to bid, Agencies must obtain at least 3 written quotations or bids from responsible and qualified providers, where possible and practical. Bids must be posted on the State Contracting Portal in accordance with CGS sections 4a-57 and 4e-13(c).
c. Contract:
All direct purchases completed under GL71 3. b must utilize the appropriate agency contract found here: Agency Contract.
d. IT Purchases:
Agency IT purchases require prior BITS approval. Purchasing 101
e. Posting Contracts:
Agencies shall post executed contracts on the state contracting portal in accordance with CGS sections 4a-57 and 4e-13(c).
f. Record Retention:
Agencies must retain copies of requests for quotations or invitations to bid, purchase orders, specifications, proposals, and corresponding documentation for the appropriate retention period or as otherwise provided for in CGS sections 11-8 and 11-8a.
REVOCATION OF AUTHORITY
DAS’ limited delegation of authority for direct purchasing under this GL71 is permissive and may be revoked at any time. DAS may review any Agency purchase(s) for GL71 compliance.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION
For further guidance, call DAS Procurement 860-713-5095, email: DAS.Procurement@ct.gov
