As used in this chapter and except as otherwise provided, “lowest responsible and qualified bidder” means the bidder who is prequalified pursuant to section 4a-100, and whose bid is the lowest of those bidders possessing the skill, ability and integrity necessary to faithful performance of the work based on objective criteria considering past performance and information contained in the update bid statement submitted pursuant to section 4b-91. Essential information in regard to such qualifications shall be submitted with the bid in such form as the awarding authority may require by specification in the bid documents and on the bid form. Every general bid shall be accompanied by a bid bond or a certified check in an amount which shall be ten per cent of the bid, provided no such bid bond or certified check shall be required in relation to any general bid in which the total estimated cost of labor and materials under the contract with respect to which such general bid is submitted is less than fifty thousand dollars. Failure to execute a contract awarded as specified and bid shall result in the forfeiture of such bid bond or certified check. In considering past performance the awarding authority shall evaluate the skill, ability and integrity of bidders in terms of the bidders' fulfillment of contract obligations and of the bidders' experience or lack of experience with projects of the nature and scope of the project for which the bids are submitted.

(P.A. 73-528, S. 2, 12; P.A. 74-246, S. 2, 11; P.A. 79-490; P.A. 82-358, S. 8, 10; 82-447, S. 2; P.A. 99-75, S. 9; P.A. 03-215, S. 2; P.A. 07-202, S. 8; P.A. 14-122, S. 68.)

History: P.A. 74-246 deleted provision that bidder certify labor to be employed can work harmoniously with others, required objective criteria for judging bidders' qualifications and raised bid bond from 5% to 10% of bid; P.A. 79-490 exempted sub-bidders bidding less than $10,000 in labor and materials costs from bid bond requirement; P.A. 82-358 provided that bid bond or certified check is not required for general bids with estimated cost of labor and materials of less than $10,000 and raised estimated cost relative to sub-bids from $10,000 to $20,000; P.A. 82-447 amended section to eliminate all reference to sub-bidding process and to specify factors for evaluation in considering a contractor's past performance; Sec. 4-137b transferred to Sec. 4b-92 in 1989; P.A. 99-75 substituted $50,000 for $10,000; P.A. 03-215 redefined “lowest responsible and qualified bidder” and substituted “nature and scope” for “size” re projects, effective October 1, 2004; P.A. 07-202 made a technical change, effective July 10, 2007; P.A. 14-122 made technical changes.

Annotation to former section 4-137b:

Cited. 191 C. 497.