Download Zipped Introduced WP 9 SB0102S1.ZIP 11,523 Bytes
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

First Substitute S.B. 102

Senator Howard A. Stephenson proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
BID REQUIREMENTS ON COUNTY OR

             2     
MUNICIPAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

             3     
2002 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: Howard A. Stephenson

             6      This act modifies the Utah Municipal Code, the County Code, the State System of Public
             7      Education Code, and the Special Districts Code to require that political subdivisions bid out
             8      certain construction projects. The act defines which types of improvements and construction
             9      projects must be bid and provides for attorney's fees in a civil suit for violation of the
             10      bidding requirements.
             11      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             12      AMENDS:
             13          10-7-20, as last amended by Chapter 365, Laws of Utah 1999
             14          53A-20-101, as last amended by Chapters 86 and 123, Laws of Utah 2000
             15      ENACTS:
             16          17-50-321, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             17          17A-2-104, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             18      REPEALS:
             19          17A-2-531, as last amended by Chapters 86 and 254, Laws of Utah 2000
             20          17A-2-723, as last amended by Chapters 86 and 254, Laws of Utah 2000
             21      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             22          Section 1. Section 10-7-20 is amended to read:
             23           10-7-20. Definition -- Necessity for contract -- Call for bids -- Acceptance or rejection
             24      -- Retainage -- Attorney's fees.
             25          (1) As used in this section[, the term]:


             26          (a) "building improvement" means constructing or repairing any building or structure;
             27          (b) "emergency repairs" means any work which must be undertaken on an expedited basis
             28      in order to prevent further damage to or loss of public or private property or to remedy a condition
             29      that poses an immediate physical danger;
             30          (c) "public works improvement" means constructing any park or recreation facility,
             31      pipeline, culvert, dam, canal, or other system for water, sewer, storm water, or flood control,
             32      except for the replacement or repair of existing infrastructure on private property; and
             33          (d) "lowest responsible bidder" means any prime contractor who:
             34          [(a)] (i) has bid in compliance with the invitation to bid and within the requirements of the
             35      plans and specifications for a construction project;
             36          [(b)] (ii) is the low bidder;
             37          [(c)] (iii) has furnished a bid bond or equivalent in money as a condition to the award of
             38      a prime contract; and
             39          [(d)] (iv) furnishes a payment and performance bond as required by law.
             40          (2) (a) Whenever the board of commissioners or city council of any city or the board of
             41      trustees of any town contemplates making any new building improvement or public works
             42      improvement [to be] paid for [out of the general funds of] by the city or town, the governing body
             43      shall cause plans and specifications for, and an estimate of the cost of, the improvement to be
             44      made.
             45          (b) If the estimated cost of the building improvement is less than [$25,000,] $40,000, or
             46      the estimated cost of the public works improvement is less than $125,000, the city or town may
             47      make the improvement without calling for bids for making the same.
             48          (c) (i) If the estimated cost of the proposed building improvement exceeds [$25,000,]
             49      $40,000, or the estimated cost of the public works improvement exceeds $125,000, the city or
             50      town shall, if it determines to make the improvement, do so by contract let to the lowest
             51      responsible bidder after publication of notice at least twice in a newspaper published or of general
             52      circulation in that city or town at least five days prior to the opening of bids.
             53          (ii) If there is no newspaper published or of general circulation in the city or town, the
             54      notice shall be posted at least five days prior to the opening of bids in at least five public places
             55      in the city or town. The notice shall remain posted for at least three days.
             56          (d) If the cost of a contemplated building improvement exceeds the sum of [$25,000,]


             57      $40,000, or the estimated cost of the public works improvement exceeds $125,000, the same shall
             58      not be so divided as to permit the making of such improvement in several parts, except by contract.
             59          (e) (i) The governing body has the right to reject any or all bids presented, and all notices
             60      calling for bids shall so state.
             61          (ii) If all bids are rejected and the governing body decides to make the improvement, it
             62      shall advertise anew in the same manner as before.
             63          (iii) If after twice advertising as provided in this section, no bid is received that is
             64      satisfactory, the governing body may proceed under its own direction to make the improvement.
             65          (f) Emergency repairs are not subject to the requirements of this Subsection (2).
             66          (3) If any payment on a contract with a private person, firm, or corporation is retained or
             67      withheld, it shall be retained or withheld and released as provided in Section 13-8-5 .
             68          (4) (a) Cities and towns are not required to call for bids or let contracts for the conduct or
             69      management of any of the departments, business, or property of the city or town[,].
             70          (b) Cities and towns are not required to call for bids or let contracts for lowering or
             71      repairing water mains or sewers, making connections with water mains or sewers, or for grading,
             72      repairing, or maintaining streets, sidewalks, bridges, culverts, or conduits in any city or town if the
             73      estimated cost of the work is less than $125,000.
             74          [(b)] (c) Work excluded under this Subsection (4) shall comply with Section 72-6-108 as
             75      applicable.
             76          (5) In a civil action to enforce the provisions of this section against a municipality, the
             77      court shall award attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party.
             78          Section 2. Section 17-50-321 is enacted to read:
             79          17-50-321. Definition -- Necessity for contract -- Call for bids -- Acceptance or
             80      rejection -- Retainage -- Attorney's fees.
             81          (1) As used in this section:
             82          (a) "building improvement" means constructing or repairing any building or structure;
             83          (b) "emergency repairs" means any work which must be undertaken on an expedited basis
             84      in order to prevent further damage to or loss of public or private property or to remedy a condition
             85      that poses an immediate physical danger;
             86          (c) "public works improvement" means constructing any park or recreational facility,
             87      pipeline, culvert, dam, canal, or other system for water, sewer, storm water, or flood control,


             88      except for the replacement or repair of existing infrastructure on private property; and
             89          (d) "lowest responsible bidder" means any prime contractor who:
             90          (i) has bid in compliance with the invitation to bid and within the requirements of the plans
             91      and specifications for a construction project;
             92          (ii) is the low bidder;
             93          (iii) has furnished a bid bond or equivalent in money as a condition to the award of a prime
             94      contract; and
             95          (iv) furnishes a payment and performance bond as required by law.
             96          (2) (a) Whenever the governing body of any county contemplates making any new building
             97      improvement or public works improvement paid for by the county, the governing body shall cause
             98      plans and specifications for, and an estimate of the cost of, the improvement to be made.
             99          (b) If the estimated cost of the building improvement is less than $40,000, or the estimated
             100      cost of the public works improvement is less than $125,000, the county may make the
             101      improvement without calling for bids for making the same.
             102          (c) (i) If the estimated cost of the proposed building improvement exceeds $40,000, or the
             103      estimated cost of the public works improvement exceeds $125,000, the county shall, if it
             104      determines to make the improvement, do so by contract let to the lowest responsible bidder after
             105      publication of notice at least twice in a newspaper published or of general circulation in that county
             106      at least five days prior to the opening of bids.
             107          (ii) If there is no newspaper published or of general circulation in the county, the notice
             108      shall be posted at least five days prior to the opening of bids in at least five public places in the
             109      county. The notice shall remain posted for at least three days.
             110          (d) If the cost of a contemplated building improvement exceeds the sum of $40,000, or the
             111      estimated cost of the public works improvement exceeds $125,000, the same shall not be so
             112      divided as to permit the making of such improvement in several parts, except by contract.
             113          (e) (i) The governing body has the right to reject any or all bids presented, and all notices
             114      calling for bids shall so state.
             115          (ii) If all bids are rejected and the governing body decides to make the improvement, it
             116      shall advertise anew in the same manner as before.
             117          (iii) If after twice advertising as provided in this section, no bid is received that is
             118      satisfactory, the governing body may proceed under its own direction to make the improvement.


             119          (f) Emergency repairs are not subject to the requirements of this Subsection (2).
             120          (3) If any payment on a contract with a private person, firm, or corporation is retained or
             121      withheld, it shall be retained or withheld and released as provided in Section 13-8-5 .
             122          (4) (a) Counties are not required to call for bids or let contracts for the conduct or
             123      management of any of the departments, business, or property of the county.
             124          (b) Counties are not required to call for bids or let contracts for lowering or repairing water
             125      mains or sewers, making connections with water mains or sewers, or for grading, repairing, or
             126      maintaining streets, sidewalks, bridges, culverts, or conduits in any county if the estimated cost of
             127      the work is less than $125,000.
             128          (c) Work excluded under this Subsection (4) shall comply with Section 72-6-108 as
             129      applicable.
             130          (5) In a civil action to enforce the provisions of this section against a county, the court
             131      shall award attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party.
             132          Section 3. Section 17A-2-104 is enacted to read:
             133          17A-2-104. Necessity for contract -- Call for bids -- Acceptance or rejection --
             134      Retainage -- Attorney's fees.
             135          (1) As used in this section:
             136          (a) "building improvement" means constructing or repairing any building or structure;
             137          (b) "emergency repairs" means any work which must be undertaken on an expedited basis
             138      in order to prevent further damage to or loss of public or private property or to remedy a condition
             139      that poses an immediate physical danger;
             140          (c) "public works improvement" means constructing any park or recreational facility,
             141      pipeline, culvert, dam, canal, or other system for water, sewer, storm water, or flood control,
             142      except for the replacement or repair of existing infrastructure on private property; and
             143          (d) "lowest responsible bidder" means any prime contractor who:
             144          (i) has bid in compliance with the invitation to bid and within the requirements of the plans
             145      and specifications for a construction project;
             146          (ii) is the low bidder;
             147          (iii) has furnished a bid bond or equivalent in money as a condition to the award of a prime
             148      contract; and
             149          (iv) furnishes a payment and performance bond as required by law.


             150          (2) (a) Whenever the governing body of any independent special district governed by this
             151      chapter contemplates making any new building improvement or public works improvement paid
             152      for by the independent special district, the governing body shall cause plans and specifications for,
             153      and an estimate of the cost of, the improvement to be made.
             154          (b) If the estimated cost of the building improvement is less than $40,000, or the estimated
             155      cost of the public works improvement is less than $125,000, the independent special district may
             156      make the improvement without calling for bids for making the same.
             157          (c) (i) If the estimated cost of the proposed building improvement exceeds $40,000, or the
             158      estimated cost of the public works improvement exceeds $125,000, the independent special district
             159      shall, if it determines to make the improvement, do so by contract let to the lowest responsible
             160      bidder after publication of notice at least twice in a newspaper published or of general circulation
             161      in the boundaries of that independent special district at least five days prior to the opening of bids.
             162          (ii) If there is no newspaper published of general circulation in the independent special
             163      district, the notice shall be posted at least five days prior to the opening of bids in at least five
             164      public places in the independent special district. The notice shall remain posted for at least three
             165      days.
             166          (d) If the cost of a contemplated building improvement exceeds the sum of $40,000, or the
             167      estimated cost of the public works improvement exceeds $125,000, the same shall not be so
             168      divided as to permit the making of such improvement in several parts, except by contract.
             169          (e) (i) The governing body has the right to reject any or all bids presented, and all notices
             170      calling for bids shall so state.
             171          (ii) If all bids are rejected and the governing body decides to make the improvement, it
             172      shall advertise anew in the same manner as before.
             173          (iii) If after twice advertising as provided in this section, no bid is received that is
             174      satisfactory, the governing body may proceed under its own direction to make the improvement.
             175          (3) If any payment on a contract with a private person, firm, or corporation is retained or
             176      withheld, it shall be retained or withheld and released as provided in Section 13-8-5 .
             177          (4) (a) Independent special districts are not required to call for bids or let contracts for the
             178      conduct or management of any of the departments, business, or property of the county.
             179          (b) Independent special districts are not required to call for bids or let contracts for
             180      lowering or repairing water mains or sewers, making connections with water mains or sewers, or


             181      for grading, repairing, or maintaining streets, sidewalks, bridges, culverts, or conduits in any
             182      independent special district if the estimated cost of the work is less than $125,000.
             183          (5) In a civil action to enforce the provisions of this section against an independent special
             184      district, the court shall award attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party.
             185          Section 4. Section 53A-20-101 is amended to read:
             186           53A-20-101. Construction and alteration of schools and plants -- Advertising for bids
             187      -- Payment and performance bonds -- Contracts -- Bidding limitations on local school boards
             188      -- Interest of local school board members.
             189          (1) As used in this section, the word "sealed" does not preclude acceptance of
             190      electronically sealed and submitted bids or proposals in addition to bids or proposals manually
             191      sealed and submitted.
             192          (2) (a) Prior to the construction of any school or the alteration of any existing school plant,
             193      if the total estimated accumulative building project cost exceeds $80,000, a local school board
             194      shall advertise for bids on the project at least ten days before the bid due date.
             195          (b) The board shall have the advertisement published in a newspaper having general
             196      circulation throughout the state and in appropriate construction trade publications that offer free
             197      listings.
             198          (c) A similar advertisement is required in a newspaper published or having general
             199      circulation in any city or county that would be affected by the proposed project.
             200          (d) The advertisement shall:
             201          (i) require sealed proposals for the building project in accordance with plans and
             202      specifications furnished by the local school board;
             203          (ii) state where and when the proposals will be opened and shall reserve the right of the
             204      board to reject any and all proposals; and
             205          (iii) require a certified check or bid bond of not less than 5% of the bid to accompany the
             206      bid.
             207          (3) (a) The board shall meet at the time and place specified in the advertisement and
             208      publicly open and read all received proposals.
             209          (b) If satisfactory bids are received, the board shall award the contract to the lowest
             210      responsible bidder.
             211          (c) If none of the proposals are satisfactory, all shall be rejected.


             212          (d) The board shall again advertise in the manner provided in this section.
             213          (e) If, after advertising a second time no satisfactory bid is received, the board may proceed
             214      under its own direction with the required project.
             215          (4) (a) The check or bond required under Subsection (2)(d) shall be drawn in favor of the
             216      local school board.
             217          (b) If the successful bidder fails or refuses to enter into the contract and furnish the
             218      additional bonds required under this section, then the bidder's check or bond is forfeited to the
             219      district.
             220          (5) A local school board shall require payment and performance bonds of the successful
             221      bidder as required in Section 63-56-38 .
             222          (6) (a) A local school board may require in the proposed contract that at least 10% of the
             223      contract price be withheld until the project is completed and accepted by the board.
             224          (b) If money is withheld, the board shall place it in an interest bearing account, and the
             225      interest accrues for the benefit of the contractor and subcontractors.
             226          (c) This money shall be paid upon completion of the project and acceptance by the board.
             227          (7) (a) A local school board may not bid on projects within the district if the total
             228      accumulative estimated cost exceeds $80,000.
             229          (b) The board may use its resources if no satisfactory bids are received under this section.
             230          (8) If the local school board determines in accordance with Section 63-56-36 to use a
             231      construction manager/general contractor as its method of construction contracting management on
             232      projects where the total estimated accumulative cost exceeds $80,000, it shall select the
             233      construction manager/general contractor using one of the source selection methods provided for
             234      in Sections 63-56-20 through 63-56-36 .
             235          (9) A local school board member may not have a direct or indirect financial interest in the
             236      construction project contract.
             237          (10) In a civil action to enforce the provisions of this section against a school board, the
             238      court shall award attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party.
             239          Section 5. Repealer.
             240          This act repeals:
             241          Section 17A-2-531, Bids for construction -- Contracts -- Payment and performance
             242      bonds -- Retainage.


             243          Section 17A-2-723, Construction -- Notice -- Awarding contracts -- Contractor's
             244      bonds.


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]