Section 4e-12 - Procurement codes for legislative and judicial branches. Requirements(a) On or before February 1, 2011, the judicial branch and the legislative branch shall each prepare a procurement code applicable to contracting expenditures, including, but not limited to, expenditures: (1) Involving contracting and procurement processes for purchasing or leasing of supplies, materials or equipment, consultant or consultant services, personal service agreements or purchase of service agreements; and(2) relating to contracts for the renovation, alteration or repair of any judicial branch or legislative branch facility in accordance with section 4b-1.(b) The procurement codes described in subsection (a) of this section shall be designed to: (1) Establish uniform contracting standards and practices;(2) simplify and clarify contracting standards and procurement policies and practices, including, but not limited to, procedures for competitive sealed bids, competitive sealed proposals, small purchases, sole source procurements, emergency procurements and special procurements;(3) ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all businesses and persons who deal with the procurement system;(4) include a process to maximize the use of small contractors and minority business enterprises;(5) provide increased economy in procurement activities and maximize purchasing value to the fullest extent possible;(6) ensure that the procurement of supplies, materials, equipment, services, real property and construction is obtained in a cost-effective and responsive manner;(7) include a process to ensure contractor and judicial branch or legislative branch accountability; and(8) provide a process for competitive sealed bids, competitive sealed proposals, small purchases, sole source procurements, emergency procurements, special procurements, best value selection, qualification based selection and the conditions for their use.(c) On or before February 1, 2011, the judicial branch shall submit such procurement code for review and approval to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary.( Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1, S. 12.)