(a) The claimant shall submit multiple bids for a performance-based contract in accordance with paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 25299.57 and any regulations adopted by the board to implement that section.

(b) To assist claimants in soliciting bids for performance-based contract projects, the board shall advertise bid solicitations for these projects through the board’s Web site. The board shall be the receiving address for the bids, and shall offer other assistance, upon request, in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter. The bids shall be sealed prior to submittal to the board. This subdivision does not prevent the board from approving a performance-based contract covering multisite cleanups, if the board determines that economies of scale will assist claimants in soliciting bids or reducing overall costs.

(c) The sites for which the board may consider approving a performance-based contract include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(1) A site that had an unauthorized release reported to the board, the regional board, or local agency five or more years ago and active remediation has not begun.

(2) A site where corrective action has been implemented for two or more years pursuant to a corrective action plan that was approved by the board, the regional board, or local agency, but that corrective action has not been effective in reducing the concentrations of the constituents of concern to the satisfaction of that board or agency.

(3) A site where corrective action costs are expected to exceed the maximum fund reimbursement amount prior to case closure.

(4) A site where the board, the regional board, or local agency has recently determined that an unauthorized release has occurred that has the potential to impact nearby receptors or otherwise cause significant impact to the waters of the state.

(5) A site where an unauthorized release of MTBE, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 25299.97, has occurred and corrective action has not been initiated or satisfactorily conducted, as determined by the board, the regional board, or local agency, or according to any regulations adopted pursuant to Section 25296.30.

(6) A site where the board, the regional board, or local agency has determined that corrective action other than ongoing monitoring of groundwater is more likely to reduce the concentrations of constituents of concern sooner and at a lower cost.

(d) This article does not preclude a claimant from requesting board approval of a performance-based contract to conduct corrective action at the claimant’s site.

(Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 689, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2004. Repealed as of January 1, 2026, pursuant to Section 25299.81.)