Rules Committee backs ordinance to ease contracting rules for intergovernmental agreements

The San Francisco Rules Committee on April 29 voted unanimously to forward an ordinance to the full Board that would amend the Administrative Code to allow city departments to enter into and amend agreements with other government entities without following certain solicitation requirements and contractor obligations that typically apply to city contracts.

Sponsor Supervisor Peskin and presenter Jeremy Spitz said the measure is intended to streamline intergovernmental agreements (examples cited: Caltrans, UCSF, BART, National Park Service, TSA) and reduce the time departments spend obtaining multiple waivers. Spitz said city staff counted about 540 intergovernmental contracts over the last five years across 29 departments, with a median contract value of $200,000 and a combined total of roughly $2,300,000.

Spitz told the committee the changes would not alter the city’s internal budgeting, delegation of authority or the requirement to send certain agreements to the Board; he framed the ordinance as a narrow reform to remove procedural hurdles when the city contracts with other government entities. Vice Chair Shamann Walton asked whether the ordinance would exempt private contractors from labor or community‑benefit obligations; Spitz responded, “correct,” and clarified the ordinance would not affect contracts with private contractors or the city’s labor/community benefit requirements.

No public commenters appeared on the item. Chair Ronan moved to forward the ordinance with a positive recommendation; the clerk recorded unanimous aye votes from Walton, Safai and Ronan. The ordinance will go to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration.