Oklahoma Administrative Code Title 260 - Office of Management and Enterprise Services
Oklahoma Administrative Code Title 260
Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES)Overview of Title 260 — OMES
Title 260 contains administrative rules promulgated by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), which is the central agency responsible for providing various management and administrative services for Oklahoma state government.
OMES oversees functions including state purchasing, human capital management, information technology, risk management, financial services, and central administrative support for state agencies.
The rules in Title 260 govern procurement, contracting, personnel management, financial controls, and IT standards for Oklahoma state government agencies.
The purpose is to promote efficient, transparent, and accountable administration of state government operations.
Structure and Key Areas of Title 260
Key areas regulated under Title 260 include:
| Subchapter / Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Procurement and Purchasing | Rules on state purchasing, competitive bidding, contract awards, vendor registration, exemptions, and protests. |
| Risk Management and Insurance | Policies for managing state liability, insurance coverage, and claims against the state. |
| Human Capital Management | Standards and policies related to state employee recruitment, hiring, classification, compensation, and discipline. |
| Information Technology | IT governance, security standards, and approval processes for state IT projects and procurement. |
| Financial Management | Budgetary controls, accounting policies, and state fund management. |
Important Principles in Title 260
Competitive Procurement:
The rules require state agencies to conduct competitive bidding for purchases above certain thresholds, ensuring transparency, fairness, and best value for public funds.
Vendor Registration and Qualification:
Vendors wishing to contract with the state must be registered with OMES and meet qualification requirements.
Contract Administration:
The Code sets standards for contract formation, approval, modification, and termination.
Risk and Claims Management:
OMES administers risk control measures to minimize state exposure and processes claims arising from state operations.
Personnel Policies:
The Code governs hiring, promotions, disciplinary actions, and employee rights consistent with merit system principles.
Information Security:
OMES enforces IT security policies to protect state data and infrastructure.
Oklahoma Case Law Involving Title 260
Oklahoma courts have considered and interpreted various OMES rules, especially related to procurement disputes, personnel actions, and administrative procedure.
Case Law Examples
1. Procurement and Competitive Bidding
Case: Johnson v. Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services, 2015 OK CIV APP 73, 359 P.3d 452
This case involved a protest by a vendor challenging OMES’s award of a contract to a competitor.
The court held that OMES’s procurement decisions are governed by Title 260 rules requiring competitive bidding and fair evaluation.
The court emphasized that OMES must follow its own procurement procedures as outlined in the Code, including adequate notice and unbiased evaluation.
The decision confirmed that courts will review OMES procurement actions for compliance with Title 260 and reasonableness but generally defer to the agency’s discretion when procedures are followed.
2. Personnel Discipline and Due Process
Case: Williams v. Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services, 2011 OK CIV APP 38, 250 P.3d 1145
An OMES employee challenged termination based on alleged violations of personnel policies codified in Title 260.
The court recognized that Title 260 personnel rules provide the basis for employee disciplinary procedures.
It held that employees have a right to procedural due process under these rules, including notice and an opportunity to be heard.
The ruling upheld OMES’s authority to discipline employees in accordance with its personnel rules but required compliance with due process provisions.
3. Contractual Authority and Limits
Case: State ex rel. Office of Management and Enterprise Services v. Smith, 2018 OK 15, 415 P.3d 392
This Supreme Court case addressed the scope of OMES’s authority to enter contracts under Title 260 rules.
The Court confirmed that OMES acts as the central contracting authority for the state and that contracts must comply with Title 260 provisions to be valid.
Contracts made without adherence to these rules could be invalidated.
The case reinforced that Title 260 governs the procedural and substantive validity of state contracts administered by OMES.
Legal Principles Established by These Cases
Agency Must Follow Its Own Rules: OMES is bound by Title 260 and must adhere to its procurement and personnel rules; failure to do so can invalidate decisions or contracts.
Judicial Review of OMES Actions: Courts review OMES decisions for procedural compliance and reasonableness, showing deference to agency expertise but ensuring fairness.
Due Process for State Employees: Personnel actions under Title 260 must provide employees with fair notice and hearing rights.
Contract Validity Depends on Title 260 Compliance: State contracts administered by OMES must comply with Title 260 to be legally enforceable.
Summary
Title 260 governs key administrative functions of Oklahoma state government, especially procurement, personnel, and contract management.
The OMES rules promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in managing state resources.
Oklahoma courts have reinforced that OMES must follow Title 260 rules strictly and that affected parties have rights to challenge agency decisions if the rules are violated.
The courts provide oversight to ensure Title 260’s procedural safeguards are honored while respecting OMES’s administrative discretion.
RELATED Blog
0 comments