Legal Document

352 U.S. 187 77 Supreme Court Reporter 257 1 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 231 LESLIE MILLER, Inc., Appellant,v.STATE OF ARKANSAS. Number 51. Argued Dec. 5, 6, 1956. Decided 17, Mr. Leffel Gentry, Little Rock, Ark., for the appellant. William Judge Smith, appellee. John Federal KF105 F3 Davis, Washington, D.C., States, as amicus curiae. PER CURIAM. Appellant submitted a bid in May 1954 construction of facilities at an Air Force Base Arkansas over which had not acquired jurisdiction pursuant to 54 Statutes-at-Large 19, 40 Code KF62 § 255, Annotated KF65 U5 255. The accepted appellant's bid, and June appellant began work on project. In September, State filed information accusing violation Ark.Stat., 1947, §§ 71—701 through 71—721, submitting executing contract, commencing contractor without having obtained license under law such activity from its Contractors Licensing Board. case was tried stipulated facts. found guilty fined. trial court's judgment affirmed by Court, 225 Ark. 285, 281 South Western Reporter, 2nd 946, came here appeal. 351 948, 76 845. curiae contend that application statute this interferes with Government's power select contractors schedule is conflict federal regulating procurement. 2 Congress provided 3 Armed Services Procurement Act 62 21, 23, 41 152, awards advertised bids 'shall be made * responsible bidder whose conforming invitation bids, will most advantageous Government, price other factors considered *.' report Committee House Representatives indicated some considered: 'The question whether particular 'responsible bidder' requires sound business judgment, involves evaluation bidder's experience, facilities, technical organization, reputation, financial resources, factors.' H.R.Rep.No.109, 80th Cong., 1st Sess. 18; see S.Rep.No.571, 16. Regulations, promulgated Act, set forth list guiding considerations, defining one who '(a) Is manufacturer, contractor, or regular dealer. 4 '(b) Has adequate ability secure resources; 5 '(c) necessary qualifications, has can acquire (including probable subcontractor arrangements) perform proposed contract; 6 '(d) able comply required delivery performance (taking into consideration all existing commitments); 7 '(e) satisfactory record performance, integrity, skills; 8 '(f) otherwise qualified eligible receive award applicable laws regulations.' 32 Regulations 1.307; also 2.406—3. 9 Under licensing similar are guide Board: 10 Board, determining qualifications any applicant original shall, among things, consider following: (a) (b) ability, (c) character, (d) manner previous contracts, (e) condition, (f) equipment, (g) fact tending show willingness conserve public health safety, (h) default complying provisions act State. *' 71—709. 11 Mere enumeration grounds state finding 'responsibility' regulations sufficient indicate between requirement places action Department Defense have taken insure reliability persons companies contracting Government. Subjecting requirements would give State's board virtual review determination thus frustrate expressed policy selecting lowest bidder. view regulations, rationale Johnson versus Maryland, 254 51, 57, 16, 65 L.Ed. 126, applicable: 12 'It seems us immunity instruments control their duties extends they desist until satisfy officer upon examination competent part them pay fee permission go on. Such does merely touch Government servants remotely general rule conduct; it lays hold specific attempt obey orders addition those pronounced sufficient. It duty employ must presumed been performed. 13 reversed cause remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 14 Reversed remanded.

Classification Label: 9