What's Being Discussed

Approval of previous meeting minutes from the September 25, 2026 meeting.
Defining "small business" in state rules — The Board will consider adding an official definition of "small business" to Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 3-127. This definition would be based on statewide surveys, a prior 2009 proposal, and federal standards. It is a required step under Act 168 (2022) to set up a proper small business registration and certification process, so eligible businesses can access state contracting set-asides and other benefits.
Updates to state procurement rules (HAR §3-122) — The Board will consider several changes to how the state selects vendors and forms contracts, including:

Strengthening conflict-of-interest and confidentiality requirements for proposal evaluation committees — changing language from "may" to "shall" to make non-disclosure rules enforceable.
Clarifying rules for multi-step competitive sealed bidding, a process used for complex purchases where technical review happens before pricing is considered.

Decisions Expected

A vote to approve the September 25, 2026 meeting minutes.
A possible vote to approve the proposed definition of "small business" in state administrative rules.
A possible vote to approve amendments to procurement rules governing how bids and proposals are evaluated.

Who Should Pay Attention

Small business owners who want to do business with the State of Hawaii.
Government contractors and vendors who participate in state procurement processes.
State agency purchasing staff who manage bids and proposals.
Anyone interested in government transparency and accountability in public spending.