Bill Text: CT SB00978 | 2013 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: An Act Concerning Subcontractor Prequalification And Classification Thresholds And Increasing The Threshold For Requiring Competitive Bidding Of Public Works Projects.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2013-06-04 - House Calendar Number 685 [SB00978 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2013-SB00978-Introduced.html
General Assembly |
Raised Bill No. 978 | ||
January Session, 2013 |
LCO No. 3736 | ||
*03736_______GAE* | |||
Referred to Committee on GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND ELECTIONS |
|||
Introduced by: |
|||
(GAE) |
|||
AN ACT CONCERNING SUBCONTRACTOR PREQUALIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION THRESHOLDS AND INCREASING THE THRESHOLD FOR REQUIRING COMPETITIVE BIDDING OF PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 4b-91 of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
(a) Every contract for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling, repair or demolition of any public building or any other public work by the state except a public highway or bridge project or any other construction project administered by the Department of Transportation, which is estimated to cost more than [five hundred thousand] two million dollars, except a contract awarded by the Commissioner of Construction Services for (1) a community court project, as defined in subsection (j) of section 4b-55, (2) the downtown Hartford higher education center project, as defined in subsection (l) of section 4b-55, (3) a correctional facility project, as defined in subsection (m) of section 4b-55, (4) a juvenile detention center project, as defined in subsection (n) of section 4b-55, or (5) a student residential facility for the Connecticut State University System that is a priority higher education facility project, as defined in subsection (f) of section 4b-55, shall be awarded to the lowest responsible and qualified general bidder who is prequalified pursuant to section 4a-100 on the basis of competitive bids in accordance with the procedures set forth in this chapter, after the Commissioner of Construction Services or, in the case of a contract for the construction of or work on a building or other public work under the supervision and control of the Joint Committee on Legislative Management of the General Assembly, the joint committee or, in the case of a contract for the construction of or work on a building or other public work under the supervision and control of one of the constituent units of the state system of higher education, the constituent unit, has invited such bids by notice posted on the State Contracting Portal. Every contract for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling, repair or demolition of any public building or any other public work by a public agency that is paid for, in whole or in part, with state funds and that is estimated to cost more than [five hundred thousand] two million dollars, except a public highway or bridge project or any other construction project administered by the Department of Transportation, shall be awarded to a bidder that is prequalified pursuant to section 4a-100 after the public agency has invited such bids by notice posted on the State Contracting Portal. The Commissioner of Construction Services, the joint committee, the constituent unit or the public agency, as the case may be, shall indicate the prequalification classification required for the contract in such notice. As used in this section, "prequalification classification" means the prequalification classifications established by the Commissioner of Administrative Services pursuant to section 4a-100. As used in this section, "public agency" means public agency, as defined in section 1-200.
(b) The Commissioner of Construction Services, the joint committee or the constituent unit, as the case may be, shall determine the manner of submission and the conditions and requirements of such bids, and the time within which the bids shall be submitted, consistent with the provisions of this section and sections [4b-91] 4b-92 to 4b-96, inclusive. Such award shall be made not later than ninety days after the opening of such bids. If the general bidder selected as the general contractor fails to perform the general contractor's agreement to execute a contract in accordance with the terms of the general contractor's general bid and furnish a performance bond and also a labor and materials or payment bond to the amount specified in the general bid form, an award shall be made to the next lowest responsible and qualified general bidder. No employee of the Department of Construction Services, the joint committee or a constituent unit with decision-making authority concerning the award of a contract and no public official, as defined in section 1-79, may communicate with any bidder prior to the award of the contract if the communication results in the bidder receiving information about the contract that is not available to other bidders, except that if the lowest responsible and qualified bidder's price submitted is in excess of funds available to make an award, the Commissioner of Construction Services, the Joint Committee on Legislative Management or the constituent unit, as the case may be, may negotiate with such bidder and award the contract on the basis of the funds available, without change in the contract specifications, plans and other requirements. If the award of a contract on said basis is refused by such bidder, the Commissioner of Construction Services, the Joint Committee on Legislative Management or the constituent unit, as the case may be, may negotiate with other contractors who submitted bids in ascending order of bid prices without change in the contract, specifications, plans and other requirements. In the event of negotiation with general bidders as provided in this section, the general bidder involved may negotiate with subcontractors on the same basis, provided such general bidder shall negotiate only with subcontractors named on such general bidder's general bid form.
Sec. 2. Subsection (j) of section 4b-91 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
(j) [On and after October 5, 2009, no] No person whose subcontract exceeds five hundred thousand dollars in value may perform work as a subcontractor on a project for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling, repair or demolition of any public building or any other public work by the state or a municipality, except a public highway or bridge project or any other construction project administered by the Department of Transportation, which project is estimated to cost more than five hundred thousand dollars and is paid for, in whole or in part, with state funds, unless, at the time of the bid submission, the person is prequalified in accordance with section 4a-100. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a project described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section.
Sec. 3. Section 4b-24b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
(a) Whenever realty uses designed uniquely for state use and for periods over five years are concerned, the Commissioner of Construction Services shall, whenever practicable, attempt to construct on state-owned land. Whenever the Commissioner of Construction Services has established specific plans and specifications for new construction on state land or new construction for sale to the state: (1) If it appears to the commissioner that the cost of the project shall be less than [five hundred thousand] two million dollars, contracts shall be made, where practicable, through a process of sealed bidding as provided in section 4b-91, as amended by this act, relating to projects in excess of [five hundred thousand] two million dollars; (2) if it appears to the commissioner that the space needs of the requesting agency are less than five thousand square feet, the commissioner shall, whenever practicable, carry on advertising, in accordance with the provisions of section 4b-34 relating to projects in excess of five thousand square feet, in order to allow an equal opportunity for third parties to do business with the state without regard to political affiliation, political contributions or relationships with persons in state, federal or local governmental positions.
(b) The commissioner may designate projects to be accomplished on a total cost basis for (1) new facilities to provide for the substantial space needs of a requesting agency, (2) the installation of mechanical or electrical equipment systems in existing state facilities, or (3) the demolition of any state facility that the commissioner is authorized to demolish under the general statutes. If the commissioner designates a project as a designated total cost basis project, the commissioner may enter into a single contract with a private developer which may include such project elements as site acquisition, architectural design and construction. The commissioner shall select a private developer from among the developers who are selected and recommended by the award panels established in this subdivision. All contracts for such designated projects shall be based on competitive proposals received by the commissioner, who shall give notice of such project, and specifications for the project, by advertising, at least once, in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in the area in which such project is to be located. No contract which includes the construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling, repair or demolition of any public building for work by the state for which the total cost is estimated to be more than [five hundred thousand] two million dollars may be awarded to a person who is not prequalified for the work in accordance with section 4a-100. The commissioner shall determine all other requirements and conditions for such proposals and awards and shall have sole responsibility for all other aspects of such contracts. Such contracts shall state clearly the responsibilities of the developer to deliver a completed and acceptable product on a date certain, the maximum cost of the project and, as a separate item, the cost of site acquisition, if applicable. No such contract may be entered into by the commissioner without the prior approval of the State Properties Review Board and unless funding has been authorized pursuant to the general statutes or a public or special act.
Sec. 4. Section 4b-52 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
(a) (1) No repairs, alterations or additions involving expense to the state of [five hundred thousand] two million dollars or less or, in the case of repairs, alterations or additions to a building rented or occupied by the Judicial Branch, one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars or less, [or, in the case of repairs, alterations or additions to a building rented or occupied by a constituent unit of the state system of higher education, two million dollars or less,] shall be made to any state building or premises occupied by any state officer, department, institution, board, commission or council of the state government and no contract for any construction, repairs, alteration or addition shall be entered into without the prior approval of the Commissioner of Construction Services, except repairs, alterations or additions to a building under the supervision and control of the Joint Committee on Legislative Management and repairs, alterations or additions to a building under the supervision of The University of Connecticut. Repairs, alterations or additions which are made pursuant to such approval of the Commissioner of Construction Services shall conform to all guidelines and procedures established by the Department of Construction Services for agency-administered projects. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, repairs, alterations or additions involving expense to the state of [five hundred thousand] two million dollars or less may be made to any state building or premises under the supervision of the Office of the Chief Court Administrator or a constituent unit of the state system of higher education, under the terms of section 4b-11, and any contract for any such construction, repairs or alteration may be entered into by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator or a constituent unit of the state system of higher education without the approval of the Commissioner of Construction Services.
(b) Except as provided in this section, no repairs, alterations or additions involving an expense to the state of more than [five hundred thousand] two million dollars or, in the case of repairs, alterations or additions to a building rented or occupied by the Judicial Branch, more than one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars, [or, in the case of repairs, alterations or additions to a building rented or occupied by a constituent unit of the state system of higher education, more than two million dollars,] shall be made to any state building or premises occupied by any state officer, department, institution, board, commission or council of the state government, nor shall any contract for any construction, repairs, alteration or addition be entered into, until the Commissioner of Construction Services or, in the case of the construction or repairs, alterations or additions to a building under the supervision and control of the Joint Committee on Legislative Management of the General Assembly, said joint committee or, in the case of construction, repairs, alterations or additions to a building involving expenditures [in excess of five hundred thousand dollars but] of not more than one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars under the supervision and control of the Judicial Branch, said Judicial Branch or, in the case of the construction, repairs, alterations or additions to a building [involving expenditures in excess of five hundred thousand dollars but not more than two million dollars] under the supervision and control of one of the constituent units of higher education, the constituent unit, has invited bids thereon and awarded a contract thereon, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4b-91, as amended by this act, to 4b-96, inclusive. The Commissioner of Construction Services, with the approval of the authority having the supervision of state employees or the custody of inmates of state institutions, without the necessity of bids, may employ such employees or inmates and purchase or furnish the necessary materials for the construction, erection, alteration, repair or enlargement of any such state building or premises occupied by any state officer, department, institution, board, commission or council of the state government.
(c) Whenever the Commissioner of Construction Services declares that an emergency condition exists at any state facility, other than a building under the supervision and control of the Joint Committee on Legislative Management, and that the condition would adversely affect public safety or the proper conduct of essential state government operations, or said joint committee declares that such an emergency exists at a building under its supervision and control, the commissioner or the joint committee may employ such assistance as may be required to restore facilities under their control and management, or the commissioner may so act upon the request of a state agency, to restore facilities under the control and management of such agency, without inviting bids as required in subsection (b) of this section. The commissioner shall take no action requiring the expenditure of more than [five hundred thousand] two million dollars to restore any facility under this subsection (1) without the written consent of the Governor, and (2) until the commissioner has certified to the joint committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to legislative management that the project is of such an emergency nature that an exception to subsection (b) of this section is required. Such certification shall include input from all affected agencies, detail the need for the exception and include any relevant documentation. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply if any person is obligated under the terms of an existing contract with the state to render such assistance. The annual report of the commissioner shall include a detailed statement of all expenditures made under this subsection.
(d) The Commissioner of Administrative Services may, during the term of a lease of a building or premises occupied by any state offices, department, institution, board, commission or council of the state government, (1) renegotiate the lease in order to enable the lessor to make necessary alterations or additions up to a maximum amount of five hundred thousand dollars, in consultation with the Commissioner of Construction Services and subject to the approval of the State Properties Review Board, or (2) require that a security audit be conducted for such building or premises and, if necessary, renegotiate the lease in order to enable the lessor to make necessary alterations or additions to bring the building or premises into compliance with the security standards for state agencies established under section 4b-132. Alterations or additions under subdivision (2) of this subsection shall not be subject to the spending limit in subdivision (1) of this subsection, and a renegotiated lease under said subdivision (2) shall be subject to the approval of the State Properties Review Board, provided such approval requirement shall not compromise the security requirements of chapter 60a and this section. The commissioner shall determine the manner of submission, conditions and requirements of bids and awards made for alterations or additions under this subsection. No lease shall be renegotiated under this subsection for a term less than five years. As used in this subsection, "security" and "security audit" have the meanings assigned to such terms in section 4b-130.
Sec. 5. Section 4e-42 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2013):
Not later than June 1, 2010, the State Contracting Standards Board shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, that require bid security for all competitive sealed bidding for construction contracts in a design-bid-build procurement when the price is estimated by the state contracting agency to exceed [five hundred thousand] two million dollars.
Sec. 6. Subsection (a) of section 4b-93 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2013):
(a) Every contract subject to this chapter shall include plans and specifications detailing all labor and materials to be furnished thereunder. Such specifications shall have a separate section for each of the following classes of work if, in the estimate of the awarding authority, the class of work will exceed [twenty-five] one hundred thousand dollars: (1) Masonry work; (2) electrical work; (3) mechanical work other than heating, ventilating and air conditioning work; and (4) heating, ventilating and air conditioning work. Such specifications shall also have a separate section for each other class of work for which the awarding authority deems it necessary or convenient.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: | ||
Section 1 |
July 1, 2013 |
4b-91(a) and (b) |
Sec. 2 |
July 1, 2013 |
4b-91(j) |
Sec. 3 |
July 1, 2013 |
4b-24b |
Sec. 4 |
July 1, 2013 |
4b-52 |
Sec. 5 |
October 1, 2013 |
4e-42 |
Sec. 6 |
October 1, 2013 |
4b-93(a) |
Statement of Purpose:
To change the threshold for requiring contracts be awarded to the lowest responsible and qualified bidder from five hundred thousand dollars to two million dollars, to require subcontractors to be prequalified at the time of bid submittal and to change the threshold for separate specifications for classes of work from twenty-five thousand dollars to one hundred thousand dollars.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]