Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this part which are applicable to specific provisions of this part, the following words and phrases when used in this part shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Bidder." A person that submits a bid in response to an invitation for bids.

"Change order." A written order signed by the contracting officer directing the contractor to make changes which the changes clause of the contract authorizes the contracting officer to order. The change order may be either with the consent of the contractor or a unilateral order by the contracting officer.

"Commonwealth agency." An executive agency, an independent agency or a State-affiliated entity.

"Construction." The process of building, altering, repairing, improving or demolishing any public structure or building or other public improvements of any kind to any public real property. The term does not include the routine operation or maintenance of existing structures, buildings or real property.

"Contract." A type of written agreement, regardless of what it may be called, for the procurement or disposal of supplies, services or construction and executed by all parties in accordance with the act of October 15, 1980 (P.L.950, No.164), known as the Commonwealth Attorneys Act.

"Contract modification." A written alteration in specifications, delivery point, rate of delivery, period of performance, price, quantity or other provisions of any contract accomplished by mutual action of the parties to the contract.

"Contracting officer." A person authorized to enter into and administer contracts and make written determinations with respect to contracts.

"Contractor." A person that has entered into a contract with a Commonwealth agency.

"Department." The Department of General Services of the Commonwealth.

"Design/build contract." A construction contract in which the contractor is responsible for both the design and construction of any public structure or building or other public improvements of any kind to any public real property.

"Employee." An individual drawing a salary or wages from a Commonwealth agency, whether elected or not, and any noncompensated individual performing personal services for any Commonwealth agency.

"Executive agency." The Governor and the departments, boards, commissions, authorities and other officers and agencies of the Commonwealth. The term does not include any court or other officer or agency of the unified judicial system, the General Assembly and its officers and agencies or any independent agency or State-affiliated entity.

"Firm, fixed-price contract." A contract where the total amount to be paid to the contractor is fixed and is not subject to adjustment by reason of the cost experience of the contractor. The term includes contracts where the unit price is set but the total price varies because actual quantities purchased deviate from the quantities estimated to be purchased. The term also includes contracts where the price may be adjusted in accordance with a contractually established price adjustment provision which is not based upon the contractor's costs.

"Independent agency." Boards, commissions and other agencies and officers of the Commonwealth which are not subject to the policy supervision and control of the Governor. The term does not include any State-affiliated entity, any court or other officer or agency of the unified judicial system, the General Assembly and its officers and agencies, any State-related institution, political subdivision or any local, regional or metropolitan transportation authority.

"Invitation for bids." All documents, including those either attached or incorporated by reference, used for soliciting bids.

"Medical assistance provider agreement." A written agreement by a licensed or qualified provider of medically related services to participate in the medical assistance program administered by the Department of Public Welfare.

"Offeror." A person that submits a proposal in response to a request for proposals.

"Participating provider agreement." A written agreement between the Department of Health and a licensed or qualified provider of medically related services which was approved by the Office of the Budget and the Department of General Services and was awarded on a noncompetitive basis.

"Policy statement." Any document, except an adjudication, regulation or privileged communication prepared by a Commonwealth agency which sets forth substantive or procedural personal or property rights, privileges, immunities, duties, liabilities or obligations of the public or any person, including any document interpreting or implementing any statute enforced or administered by the agency.

"Procurement." Buying, purchasing, renting, leasing, licensing or otherwise acquiring any supplies, services or construction. The term also includes all functions that pertain to the obtaining of any supply, service or construction, including description of requirements, selection and solicitation of sources, preparation and award of contract and all phases of contract administration.

"Purchasing agency." A Commonwealth agency authorized by this part or by other law to enter into contracts for itself or as the agent of another Commonwealth agency. When purchasing for another Commonwealth agency, the purchasing agency acts on behalf of the principal which needs the supplies, services and construction and shall coordinate and cooperate with that agency.

"Regulation." A regulation as defined in 45 Pa.C.S. § 501 (relating to definitions). This term shall include the amendment, revision or otherwise alteration of the terms and provisions of a regulation.

"Request for proposals." All documents, including those either attached or incorporated by reference, used for soliciting proposals.

"Responsible bidder." A bidder that has submitted a responsive bid and that possesses the capability to fully perform the contract requirements in all respects and the integrity and reliability to assure good faith performance.

"Responsible offeror." An offeror that has submitted a responsive proposal and that possesses the capability to fully perform the contract requirements in all respects and the integrity and reliability to assure good faith performance.

"Responsive bid." A bid which conforms in all material respects to the requirements and criteria in the invitation for bids.

"Responsive proposal." A proposal which conforms in all material respects to the requirements and criteria in the request for proposals.

"Sealed bid." A bid whose contents are not disclosed until the bid opening time. Bids are typically submitted in sealed envelopes to meet this requirement, but electronic submission is not prohibited so long as the purchasing agency has the electronic capability to maintain the confidentiality of the bid until the bid opening time.

"Sealed proposal." A proposal whose contents are not disclosed until the proposal receipt date. Proposals are typically submitted in sealed envelopes to meet this requirement, but electronic submission is not prohibited so long as the purchasing agency has the electronic capability to maintain the confidentiality of the proposal until the proposal receipt date.

"Services." The furnishing of labor, time or effort by a contractor not involving the delivery of a specific end product other than drawings, specifications or reports which are merely incidental to the required performance. The term shall include the routine operation or maintenance of existing structures, buildings or real property. The term does not include employment agreements or collective bargaining agreements. The term includes utility services and those services formerly provided by public utilities such as electrical, telephone, water and sewage service.

"Specification." A description of the physical or functional characteristics or the nature of a supply, service or construction item, including a description of any requirement for inspecting, testing or preparing a supply, service or construction item for delivery.

"State-affiliated entity." A Commonwealth authority or a Commonwealth entity. The term includes the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, the State Public School Building Authority, the Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority and the State System of Higher Education. The term does not include any court or other officer or agency of the unified judicial system, the General Assembly and its officers and agencies, any State-related institution, political subdivision or any local, regional or metropolitan transportation authority.

"State-related institution." The Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pittsburgh, Lincoln University or Temple University.

"Statewide requirements contract." A contract entered into by the Department of General Services as purchasing agency which covers the annual, semiannual or quarterly contract requirements of all Commonwealth agencies and allows the agencies to order needed supplies directly from the contractor.

"Supplies." Any property, including, but not limited to, equipment, materials, printing, insurance and leases of and installment purchases of tangible or intangible personal property. The term does not include real property, leases of real property or alcoholic beverages or liquor purchased for resale by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

"Using agency." A Commonwealth agency which utilizes any supplies, services or construction procured under this part.

(Dec. 3, 2002, P.L.1147, No.142, eff. imd.)

2002 Amendment. Act 142 amended the def. of "contract" and added the defs. of "bidder," "contractor," "invitation for bids," "medical assistance provider agreement," "offeror," "participating provider agreement," "request for proposals," "responsible bidder," "responsible offeror," "responsive bid," "responsive proposal," "sealed bid" and "sealed proposal."

References in Text. The Department of Public Welfare, referred to in this section, was redesignated as the Department of Human Services by Act 132 of 2014.

Cross References. Section 103 is referred to in sections 520, 3102, 3902 of this title; section 3302 of Title 12 (Commerce and Trade); section 9601 of Title 51 (Military Affairs); section 13A03 of Title 65 (Public Officers); section 303, 9102 of Title 74 (Transportation).