DAS Contractor Prequalification introduction Program Overview and 2007

DAS Contractor Prequalification introduction Program Overview and 2007 Program Changes ‘ 07 changes 2 3 4 5 resources Department of Public Works January 28, 2008 J. Carlos Velez Procurement Program Manager 6

DAS Contractor Prequalification Program Overview: 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, 000. 00 which is paid for in whole or in part with state funds. introduction ‘ 07 changes 2 3 4 5 These criteria include: • Integrity • Work Experience (Skill and Ability) • Experience and Qualifications of Supervisory Personnel Employed By The Applicant • Financial Condition • Safety resources 6

DAS Contractor Prequalification Program Evolution: For 2007, construction contractors doing business in the State of Connecticut are seeing some significant changes to the Contractor Prequalification program. A number of legislative mandates and policy changes have addressed, among other things: introduction ‘ 07 changes 2 3 4 5 resources • 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. 6

DAS Contractor Prequalification Public Work Defined: 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). introduction ‘ 07 changes 2 The new definition of “public work” excludes only public highway and bridge projects or any other construction project administered by the Department of Transportation. Subcontractors: Sec. 22. Section 4 a-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. 3 4 5 resources 6

DAS Contractor Prequalification Safety Criteria: A change in policy eliminated the integrity question concerning “nonabated” OSHA violations. The program now reviews and scores a company’s serious, willful and repeat OSHA violations. introduction ‘ 07 changes 2 3 4 5 resources Prequal Provision for Project Takeover by Surety: Requires that, when surety companies take over a large state construction project, they use contractors that are prequalified by DAS to complete the job 6

DAS Contractor Prequalification Maintenance: 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. introduction ‘ 07 changes 2 3 4 5 resources Prequal Renewal Denial: 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 6

DAS Contractor Prequalification Suspension: 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. introduction ‘ 07 changes 2 3 4 5 resources Contract Termination: Gives an awarding agency the ability to terminate a construction contract when the agency discovers substantial evidence of fraud in obtaining or maintaining prequalification 6

DAS Contractor Prequalification Enforcement: 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. introduction ‘ 07 changes 2 3 4 5 resources Campaign Contribution Ban Notification: Requires that DAS notify contractors, prospective contractors, and their principals, during the prequalification application process, about the campaign contribution bans in state statute. 6

DAS Contractor Prequalification Disqualification Term: 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. introduction ‘ 07 changes 2 3 4 5 resources 6

DAS Contractor Prequalification Online Resources for Contractors and Awarding Authorities: Resources available at the Contractor Prequalification website include: introduction ‘ 07 changes 2 * * * Online Application Contractor Directory Search FAQs Application Instructions & Tips Bid Language Samples Links to Legislation and more… www. das. state. ct. us 3 4 5 resources 6