6. a. For the purpose of facilitating online voter registration as quickly and efficiently as possible, the State shall procure a qualified vendor to develop and implement a voter registration Internet website and all necessary supporting software systems to implement online voter registration ahead of the 2020 general election.

b. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, a contract for the implementation of the online voter registration Internet website and necessary supporting software systems shall be procured in an expedited process and in the manner provided by this section.

c. The Division of Purchase and Property in the Department of the Treasury shall procure, without the need for formal advertisement, but through the solicitation of proposals from professional services vendors, a qualified vendor with experience implementing such websites and systems in other states.

d. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, for the purpose of expediting the procurement of a vendor capable and experienced in implementing an online voter registration website and systems, the following provisions shall apply as modifications to any law or regulation that may interfere with the expedited procurement:

(1) the timeframes for challenging the specifications shall be modified as determined by the Division of Purchase and Property;

(2) in lieu of advertising in accordance with section 7 of P.L.1954, c.48 (C. 52:34-12), the division shall advertise the request for proposals for the procurement under this section and any addenda thereto on the division’s website;

(3) the period of time that the State Comptroller, if applicable, has to review the request for proposals for the procurement under this section for compliance with applicable public contracting laws, rules, and regulations, pursuant to section 10 of P.L.2007, c.52 (C. 52:15C-10), shall be 10 business days or less, if practicable, as determined by the State Comptroller;

(4) the timeframes for submission under section 4 of P.L.2012, c.25 (C. 52:32-58) and section 1 of P.L.1977, c.33 (C. 52:25-24.2) shall be extended to prior to the issuance of a Notice of Intent to Award;

(5) the provisions of section 1 of P.L.2005, c.92 (C. 52:34-13.2) shall not apply to technical and support services under this section provided by a vendor using a “24/7 follow-the-sun model” as long as the contractor is able to provide such services in the United States during the business day; and

(6) the term “bids” in subparagraph (f) of subsection a. of section 7 of P.L.1954, c.48 (C. 52:34-12) shall not include pricing which will be revealed to all responsive bidders during the negotiation process.

e. The division may, to the extent necessary, waive or modify any requirement under any other law or regulation that may interfere with the expeditious procurement required under this section.

L.2019, c.382, s.6.