DAS Contractor Prequalification ‘07 changes Program Overview and 2007 Program Changes resources introduction Department of Public Works January 28, 2008 J. Carlos Velez Procurement Program Manager

DAS Contractor Prequalification The Prequalification program examines and scores several key criteria in assessing the ability of a contractor to bid on or perform any public construction project of more than $500, which is paid for in whole or in part with state funds. These criteria include: introduction ‘07 changes resources Program Overview: Integrity Work Experience (Skill and Ability) Experience and Qualifications of Supervisory Personnel Employed By The Applicant Financial Condition Safety

DAS Contractor Prequalification For 2007, construction contractors doing business in the State of Connecticut are seeing some significant changes to the Contractor Prequalification program. introduction ‘07 changes resources Program Evolution: A number of legislative mandates and policy changes have addressed, among other things: The scope of work covered by the program Which contractors need to be prequalified The way in which a company’s safety record is reviewed and scored.

DAS Contractor Prequalification introduction ‘07 changes resources As of January 1, 2007, contractors are required to be prequalified to bid on any public construction contracts (funded in whole or in part by the State of Connecticut, and estimated to cost more than five hundred thousand dollars). The new definition of “public work” excludes only public highway and bridge projects or any other construction project administered by the Department of Transportation. Public Work Defined: Subcontractors: Sec. 22. Section 4a-100 of the general statutes (Effective October 1, 2007) Requires “Substantial Subcontractors” to be prequalified. “Substantial Subcontractor” is defined as a person who performs work with a value in excess of $500,000 for a contractor pursuant to a contract for work for the state or a municipality which is estimated to cost more than $500,000.

DAS Contractor Prequalification A change in policy eliminated the integrity question concerning “non- abated” OSHA violations. The program now reviews and scores a company’s serious, willful and repeat OSHA violations. Requires that, when surety companies take over a large state construction project, they use contractors that are prequalified by DAS to complete the job introduction ‘07 changes resources Safety Criteria: Prequal Provision for Project Takeover by Surety:

DAS Contractor Prequalification introduction ‘07 changes resources Requires that companies performing large state construction projects not only be prequalified when they bid on state contracts, but that they maintain their prequalified status throughout the life of their contract. Ensures that DAS may deny a renewal application for prequalification – not just an initial prequalification application – when a company is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo to one of a number of crimes relating to business honesty or has a history of failing to perform satisfactorily on public contracts Prequalification Maintenance: Prequal Renewal Denial:

DAS Contractor Prequalification introduction ‘07 changes resources Gives DAS the ability to suspend a contractor’s prequalification for up to 3 months before revoking or reducing a company’s ability to bid on contracts. Gives an awarding agency the ability to terminate a construction contract when the agency discovers substantial evidence of fraud in obtaining or maintaining prequalification Prequalification Suspension: Contract Termination:

DAS Contractor Prequalification introduction ‘07 changes resources Adds an enforcement mechanism into the prequalification statutes – if an awarding authority is required to use a prequalified contractor on a project and fails to do so, it may be ineligible for state funds for the project at issue. Requires that DAS notify contractors, prospective contractors, and their principals, during the prequalification application process, about the campaign contribution bans in state statute. Enforcement: Campaign Contribution Ban Notification:

DAS Contractor Prequalification introduction ‘07 changes resources Extends the period of potential disqualification for companies that have plead guilty to a number of contracting related crimes from 2 years to 5 years. Disqualification Term:

DAS Contractor Prequalification Resources available at the Contractor Prequalification website include: * Online Application * Contractor Directory Search * FAQs introduction ‘07 changes resources Online Resources for Contractors and Awarding Authorities: Online Resources for Contractors and Awarding Authorities: * Application Instructions & Tips * Bid Language Samples * Links to Legislation and more…