Budget, Fiscal, Procurement and Contracting Regulations
CHAPTER 69. STATE PROCUREMENT
Subchapter IV. Public Works Contracting
§ 6960. Prevailing wage requirements.
(a) The specifications for every contract or aggregate of contracts relating to a public works project in excess of $100,000
for new construction (including painting and decorating) or $15,000 for alteration, repair, renovation, rehabilitation, demolition
or reconstruction (including painting and decorating of buildings or works) to which this State or any subdivision thereof
is a party and for which the State appropriated any part of the funds and which requires or involves the employment of mechanics
and/or laborers shall contain a provision stating the minimum wages to be paid various classes of laborers and mechanics which
shall be based upon the wages that will be determined by the Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Industrial Affairs,
to be prevailing in the county in which the work is to be performed. The Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Industrial
Affairs shall establish the prevailing wage for each respective craft or class of laborers and mechanics at the same rates
established in collective bargaining agreements between labor organizations and their employers that govern work of a similar
nature and similar crafts or classes of laborers and mechanics for the county where the public works contract will be performed
if that particular labor organization's collective bargaining rate prevailed and they participated in the survey, for that
particular trade or craft in that particular county for 2 consecutive years. The agreed rate of pay designated by the craft's
collective bargaining agreement will become the prevailing wage for a period of 5 years and the raise be determined by the
collective bargaining agreement rate at the time the prevailing wage survey is conducted for that craft, county, and year.
If the prevailing wage cannot be reasonably and fairly determined in any locality because no such agreements exists or the
collective bargaining rate has not prevailed for 2 consecutive years the Department shall use the prevailing wage as established
by the Department's annual prevailing wage survey. There will be a 1-time challenge of the prevailing wage rate per cycle
as in the Department regulations. All other provisions of this law are to remain unchanged.
(b) Every contract based upon these specifications shall contain a stipulation that the employer shall pay all mechanics and
laborers employed directly upon the site of the work, unconditionally and not less often than once a week and without subsequent
deduction or rebate on any account, the full amounts accrued at time of payment, computed at wage rates not less than those
stated in the specifications, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the employer
and such laborers and mechanics. The specifications shall further stipulate that the scale of wages to be paid shall be posted
by the employer in a prominent and easily accessible place at the site of the work, and that there may be withheld from the
employer so much of accrued payments as may be considered necessary by the Department of Labor to pay to laborers and mechanics
employed by the employer the difference between the rates of wages required by the contract to be paid laborers and mechanics
on the work and rates of wages received by such laborers and mechanics to be remitted to the Department of Labor for distribution
upon resolution of any claims.
(c) Every contract based upon these specifications shall contain a stipulation that sworn payroll information, as required
by the Department of Labor, be furnished weekly. The Department of Labor shall keep and maintain the sworn payroll information
for a period of 6 months from the last day of the work week covered by the payroll.
(d) The Department of Labor shall investigate all claims that the prevailing wage rates as provided for under this section
are not being or have not been paid. Upon finding that an employer has not paid or is not paying the prevailing wage rates,
the Department of Labor shall notify the employer of the violations by certified mail and make an effort to obtain compliance.
Upon failure to obtain compliance within 15 days of receipt of said certified mail, the Secretary may terminate all rights
of the employer to proceed with the work under the public construction contract, and the employer shall be responsible for
all damages resulting therefrom.
(e) Any employer who knowingly fails or refuses to pay the prevailing wage rates provided for under this section, or who fails
to submit payroll reports or post notice of the wage rates which apply to the project shall, for each such violation, be subject
to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 for each violation. No public construction contract in this
State shall be bid on, awarded to or received by any contractor or subcontractor or any person, firm, partnership or corporation
in which such employer has an interest who, within 2 years after entry of a judgment pursuant to this chapter, is adjudicated
in violation of this chapter in a subsequent proceeding until 3 years have elapsed from the date of the subsequent penalty
judgment. A civil penalty claim may be filed in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(f) Any laborer or mechanic employed by any employer, or the Department of Labor on behalf of any laborer or mechanic employed
by any employer, who is paid in a sum less than the prevailing wage rates provided for under this section shall have a right
of action against the employer in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover treble the difference between the amount
so paid and the prevailing wage rate. Such action may be brought by the Department of Labor in the name and for the benefit
of the laborer or mechanic with or without an assignment of the claim from the employee and upon notice to the aggrieved employee,
the Department of Labor shall have the power to settle and adjust any such claim to the same extent as would the aggrieved
employee. It shall not be a defense to such action that the underpayment was received by the laborer or mechanic without protest.
Upon the filing of an action under this section, the employer shall post suitable bond approved by the court for the damages
which may be recoverable thereunder. Any judgment entered for plaintiff shall include an award for reasonable attorney's
fees and costs of prosecution. The Department of Labor shall not be required to pay the filing fee or other costs of the action
or fees of any nature to file bond or other security of any nature in connection with such action or with proceedings supplementary
thereto or as a condition precedent to the availability to the Department of any process in aid of such action or proceedings.
The Department shall have the authority to join various claimants in 1 preferred claim lien and, in case of suit, to join
them in 1 cause of action.
(g) Any wages collected under this chapter, but not claimed by the employee within 1 year from the date of collection, shall
be retained by the Department of Labor for enforcement purposes.
(h) No action to recover wages and damages under this section shall be brought after the expiration of 2 years from the accruing
of the cause of action.
(i) Whenever any person shall contract with another for the performance of any work which the contracting person has undertaken
to perform, he or she shall become civilly liable to employees engaged in the performance of work under such contract for
the payment of wages, exclusive of treble damages, as required under this section, whenever and to the extent that the employer
of such employees fails to pay such wages, and the employer of such employees shall be liable to such person for any wages
paid by the employer under this section. If pursuant to this subsection a person becomes civilly liable to employees of another,
such liability shall not constitute a violation of this section for purposes of the termination, civil penalty and debarment
provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of this section.
(j) A contract manager shall be responsible for monitoring compliance with this section, but shall not become civilly liable
to the same extent as the contracting person. For purposes of this section, "contract manager" means any person who performs
the function of the contracting person without becoming a party to the contract of performance, but rather contracts with
the recipient of the goods or services to act as his/her agent. A contract manager who knowingly fails or refuses to monitor
compliance with this section shall, for each such failure or refusal, be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $100
nor more than $500. A civil penalty claim under this subsection may be filed in any court of competent jurisdiction. A contract
manager's liability for a civil penalty pursuant to this subsection shall not constitute a violation of this section for purposes
of the termination, civil penalty and debarment provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of this section.
(k) Any employer who discharges or in any manner discriminates against an employee because that employee has made a complaint
or has given information to the Department pursuant to this chapter, or because that employee has caused to be instituted
or is about to cause to be instituted any proceedings under this chapter, or has testified or is about to testify in any such
proceedings, shall be deemed in violation of this chapter and shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000
nor more than $5,000 for each violation.
(l) A Prevailing Wage Advisory Council is hereby established to assist the Department in carrying out its duties under the
prevailing wage law. Such advisory council shall be appointed by the Secretary of Labor, shall be convened by the Director
of the Division of Industrial Affairs (who shall serve as a non-voting member) and shall consist of 10 representatives from
construction industry organizations/associations. The members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years provided, however,
that the initial members may be appointed to terms shorter than 3 years but not less than 1 year to ensure staggered term
expirations. The members shall receive no compensation.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 6913; 53 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 57 Del. Laws, c. 454, § 17; 58 Del. Laws, c. 408; 63 Del. Laws, c. 80, § 69; 65 Del. Laws, c. 368, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 260, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 64, § 28; 69 Del. Laws, c. 295, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 99, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 601, §§ 6, 8; 71 Del. Laws, c. 310, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 312, § 1; 72 Del. Laws, c. 170, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 129, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 279, §§ 1, 3; 76 Del. Laws, c. 185, § 1.;
§ 6961. Small public works contract procedures.
(a) Applicability. -- Any state contract for which an agency is a party and for which the probable cost is less than or equal
to the threshold amount(s) set by the Contracting and Purchasing Advisory Council pursuant to § 6913 of this title for small
public works contracts shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
(b) Procedure. -- All contracts entered into pursuant to this section shall follow the procedures as prescribed by the Director
pursuant to § 6922 of this title.
(c) Bid and performance bonds as authorized in § 6962 of this title may be made a requirement by the agency for contracts
made pursuant to this section.
70 Del. Laws, c. 601, § 9; 75 Del. Laws, c. 88, § 16(5).;
§ 6962. Large public works contract procedures.
(a) Applicability. -- Any state contract for which an agency is a party and for which the probable cost is greater than the
amount set by the Contracting and Purchasing Advisory Council pursuant to § 6913 of this title for small public works contracts
shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
(b) Advertising requirements. -- Each agency shall publicly announce, not less than once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in
a newspaper published or circulated in each county of the State, each public works contract. Any agency may also maintain
a register of prospective bidders which may be used to provide direct notification of contracts to be bid. This register shall
not be used in a manner which will limit the competitiveness of the bidding process described in this subchapter. No agency
shall be subject to a cause of action or be otherwise liable for any errors or omissions in administering a bid registry.
The public announcement shall also state the nature of the contract under the following conditions:
(1) If the agency requires all bidders to be registered or prequalified in order to receive bidding documents for the proposed
contract, the announcement shall state in general terms the character and location of the work and bid and performance bond
requirements. If the agency requires prequalification of subcontractors in its invitation to bid, no contractor shall list
a subcontractor in its subcontractor listing who has not already been prequalified by the agency.
(2) If the agency does not require bidder registration or prequalification for the proposed contract, the announcement shall
state with reasonable accuracy the character, quantity and location of the work as well as bid and performance bond requirements.
The public announcement shall also state that the agency may extend the time and place for the opening of bids from that described
in the announcement. Such extension shall not take place unless at least 2 calendar days' notice, by certified delivery, facsimile
transmission or by other verifiable electronic means, is sent to those bidders who obtained copies of the plans and specifications
or contract descriptions.
(c) Bidder prequalification requirements. --
(1) The Office shall establish a 2-step process for the prequalification of contractors and subcontractors that desire to
bid on large public works contracts for which prequalification is specified by the contracting agency. A contractor shall
not be permitted to bid on a contract that requires prequalification unless the contractor has been prequalified pursuant
to this subsection. A prequalified and classified contractor shall not be permitted to submit a bid on a specific contract
unless the contractor completes a questionnaire and submits supplemental information at the option of the contracting agency
or per paragraph (c)(9)a. of this section to the Office pertaining to that contract. The supplemental request for information
shall not include any information requested during the first step of the prequalification process, but may require the contractor
to affirm that no material changes have occurred since the application for the first step of the prequalification process
was submitted to the Office. The prequalification process shall apply to general contractors and subcontractors in the areas
that are deemed necessary by the Office.
(2) The prequalification classification issued by the Office as part 1 of the prequalification process shall be valid for
12 months. A contractor or subcontractor subject to prequalification shall request to be reclassified by the Office after
the 12-month period in order to remain eligible to bid on public works contracts that require prequalification. A contractor
or subcontractor who holds a valid prequalification classification shall report any material changes which could adversely
affect the prequalification, as established in paragraph (3) of this subsection, to the Office in writing within 10 days of
the material change. A contractor or subcontractor may report to the Office in writing material changes which could positively
affect the prequalification, as established in paragraph (3) of this subsection. Based on the information provided, the Office
may change the classification or revoke prequalification at the sole discretion of the Director.
(3) The prequalification process shall include a requirement that the contractor or subcontractor submit a statement under
oath on a form designated by the Office. The form shall fully describe and establish the financial ability, responsibility,
plant and equipment, organization, ownership, relationships, and prior experience of the contractor or subcontractor and any
other pertinent and material facts as may be deemed necessary by the Office. At the discretion of the Office, the submission
shall include part or all of the following:
a. The most recent audited financial statement and/or financial statement review containing a complete statement of the proposing
contractor's or subcontractor's financial status. Such statement shall include the contractor's Z score;
b. The proposing contractor's or subcontractor's experience on other public works or private sector projects, including but
not limited to the size, complexity and scope of the firm's prior projects;
c. Performance reviews of the proposing contractor or subcontractor on previously awarded public works or private sector construction
projects within the last 10 years;
d. Civil judgments and/or criminal history of the proposing contractor's or subcontractor's principals;
e. Any debarment or suspension by any government agency;
f. Any revocation or suspension of a license;
g. Any bankruptcy filings or proceedings; and
h. A statement as to organization, which shall demonstrate the adequacy of such organization to undertake a public works contract.
This statement shall include the resumes of the management and professional staff.
(4) After the receipt of the submission provided for in paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Office may verify all information
provided in the contractor's or subcontractor's submission, including applicable license and certificate requirements, federal
or state debarments, and violations of law. The Office may also conduct inquiries or surveys of the contractor's or subcontractor's
prior customers.
(5)a. Based upon the submission provided for in paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection, the Office Review Committee, which
shall include at least 2 Office employees, shall assign a contractor or subcontractor the following classification(s) and
limits for the purpose of determining the types of projects for which a contractor or subcontractor is entitled to bid:
1. A trade(s) or work classification(s); and
2. The maximum contract dollar value for which the contractor or subcontractor may submit a bid.
To effectuate these requirements of the prequalification process, the Office shall develop rules and regulations for assigning
classifications and maximum dollar limits.
b. The classification shall be made, or prequalification may be denied, and notice thereof shall be sent to the contractor
or subcontractor within 5 days of the determination made pursuant to subparagraph a. of this paragraph by registered or certified
mail or other legally valid methods. Notice of prequalification classification or denial shall also be sent to the contracting
agency if said agency is not the Office.
(6) Based upon the proposing contractor's or subcontractor's answers to the step-1 or step-2 prequalification questionnaire,
the Office may deny prequalification for any one of the following specified reasons:
a. Insufficient financial ability to perform a public works contract;
b. Inadequate experience to undertake a public works contract;
c. Documented failure to perform on prior public or private construction contracts, including but not limited to final adjudication
or admission of violations of prevailing wage laws in Delaware or any other state;
d. Prior judgments for breach of contract that indicate the proposing contractor or subcontractor may not be capable of performing
the work or completing a large public works contract;
e. Criminal convictions for fraud, misrepresentation or theft relating to contract procurement;
f. Previous debarment or suspension of the contractor or subcontractor by any government agency that indicates the proposing
contractor or subcontractor may not be capable of performing the work or completing a large public works contract;
g. Previous revocation or suspension of a license that indicates the proposing contractor or subcontractor may not be capable
of performing the work or completing a public works contract;
h. Previous bankruptcy proceedings that indicate the proposing contractor or subcontractor may not be capable of performing
the work or completing a public works contract; or
i. Failure to provide accurate prequalification information on past or current prequalification questionnaires.
Reason or reasons for the denial of prequalification shall be in writing, and shall be sent to the contractor or subcontractor
within 5 working days of such decision. An agency may refuse to provide any contractor or subcontractor disqualified under
this paragraph plans and specifications for a contract. An agency receiving a bid from a contractor or subcontractor disqualified
under this paragraph shall not consider such bid.
(7) Any contractor or subcontractor disqualified pursuant to paragraph (6) of this subsection may request a review of such
decisions with the Director within 5 working days of the receipt of the agency's notification of the prequalification decision.
Such request shall be made in writing. No action in law or equity shall lie against any agency or its employees if the contractor
or subcontractor does not first review the decision with the Director. To the extent the contractor or subcontractor brings
an action challenging a decision made pursuant to paragraph (6) of this subsection after such review by the Director, the
court shall afford great weight to the decision of the Office head and shall not overturn such decision unless the contractor
or subcontractor proves by clear and convincing evidence that such decision was arbitrary and capricious.
(8) The Office shall maintain a registry of all contractors and subcontractors prequalified to bid on public works projects.
The registry shall include the classification(s) of the contractor or subcontractor and the maximum contract dollar value
for which the contractor or subcontractor may submit a bid.
(9)a. In addition to the prequalification required herein, any agency shall require a contractor or subcontractor to provide
supplemental information that is specifically relevant to the public works contract to be bid. Such additional information
shall be considered supplemental certification and shall not duplicate in any way the information required by the Office in
its prequalification process except for labor supply available to complete the project in a timely manner.
b. Based upon the proposing contractor's or subcontractor's answers to the agency's supplemental prequalification questionnaire,
the Director, or in the case of school projects, the school district may deny the prequalification for any one of the following
specified reasons:
1. Inadequate experience to undertake the specific project that requires supplemental prequalification;
2. Inadequate expertise to undertake the specific project that requires supplemental prequalification;
3. Failure to provide supplemental prequalification information for the specific project that requires supplemental prequalification;
or
4. Inadequate labor supply available to complete the project in a timely manner.
Denial of supplemental prequalification by the Office, or in the case of school projects, the school district shall be in
writing no later than 2 weeks before the close of the project bid and shall be sent to the contractor or subcontractor within
5 working days of such decision. An agency may refuse to provide any contractor or subcontractor disqualified under this paragraph
plans and specifications for the contract. An agency receiving a bid from a contractor or subcontractor disqualified under
this paragraph shall not consider such bid.
(10) Any contractor or subcontractor disqualified pursuant to paragraph (9) of this subsection may request in writing within
5 working days of the receipt of the Office's or, in the case of school projects, the school district's, supplemental prequalification
a review of such decisions with the Director or the Director's designee or, in the case of school projects, the school district.
No action in law or equity shall lie against any agency or its employees if the contractor or subcontractor does not first
review the decision with the Director or, in the case of school projects, the school district within 5 working days after
the decision is rendered by the Office or, in the case of school projects, the school district. To the extent the contractor
or subcontractor brings an action challenging a decision made pursuant to paragraph (9) of this subsection after such review
by the Director or, in the case of school projects, the school district, the court shall afford great weight to the decision
of the Director or, in the case of school projects, the school district and shall not overturn such decision unless the contractor
or subcontractor proves by clear and convincing evidence that such decision was "arbitrary and capricious."
(11) In addition, for the US 301 project from the Maryland-Delaware state line to its termination at Delaware Route 1, all
contractors and subcontractors are required, independently or through agreement with other organizations, to provide craft
training for journeyman and apprentice levels through a bona fide program approved by and registered with the State of Delaware
and/or United States Department of Labor.
(d) Bid specifications and plans requirements. --
(1) Preparation of plans and specifications and approvals. -- The contracting agency shall cause suitable plans and specifications
to be prepared for all contracts pursuant to this section. All plans and specifications shall be prepared by registered and
licensed architects and/or engineers who shall sign the plans and specifications and affix their seals thereto. This requirement
may be waived if:
a. The work to be covered by the public works contract is to be performed in accordance with identical plans and specifications
similarly signed and sealed pursuant to which previous public works contracts have been awarded under this subchapter. Any
architect and/or engineer who signed and sealed the original of such identical plan(s) will have no liability arising from
the use of those plans other than the use contemplated by the contract pursuant to which the original copies of such plans
was created, unless such architect and/or engineer reviews and approves such different use; or
b. The project does not require architectural and engineering services and the agency head waives in writing the use of such
services.
(2) Agency assistance. -- An agency may retain, in accordance with subchapter V of this chapter, the professional services
of a general contractor or other qualified firm to assist in cost estimation, economic design analysis and construction.
(3) Prohibition of brand specification. -- The description of work and/or materiel and the plans and specifications shall
not use a brand or trade name, except as an indication of the type or quality of materiel and in all such limited cases shall
contain the words "or approved equal."
(4) Special provisions. --
a. Anti-pollution, conservation, environmental measures or Energy Star equipment not covered by contract specifications. --
1. The description of the materiel and the plans and specifications for the work issued by the agency shall set forth those
provisions of federal, state and local statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations respecting anti-pollution, conservation
and environmental protection which affect the project or projects for which such solicitations or bids are sought.
2. If the successful bidder must undertake anti-pollution, conservation or environmental protection work not specified in
the agency's plans and specifications or descriptions of materiel, including measures required by the enactment of new or
the amendment of existing statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations occurring after the submission of the successful bid
or quotation, the awarding agency shall issue a change order, as provided for in § 6963 of this title, setting forth the additional
measures that must be undertaken.
3. Cost. -- The cost of such a change order to the awarding agency shall be determined in accordance with the contract for
change orders or force accounts. If no such provision is set forth in the contract, then the cost to the awarding agency shall
be the contractor's costs for wages, labor costs other than wages, wage taxes, materiel, equipment rentals, insurance and
subcontracts attributable to the additional activity plus a reasonable sum for overhead and profit.
4. Authorization. -- Written authorization by the agency is to be given to the successful bidder prior to the bidder undertaking
such additional activity. Costs incurred by the successful bidder for additional work performed without prior approval shall
not be approved for payment by the agency.
5. Energy Star equipment. -- Prior to finalizing specifications for equipment to be purchased as part of a large public works
contract, the agency or its architect and/or engineer shall review all equipment to determine whether Energy Star rated products
are available. For each piece of equipment, if an Energy Star product is available, the specifications and bid documents shall
require the use of an Energy Star product unless the agency can demonstrate, in writing, to the satisfaction of the Director,
that a product with an Energy Star rating meets at least one of the following criteria:
A. The Energy Star rated equipment is not available competitively,
B. The Energy Star rated equipment is not available within a reasonable time frame, or
C. The Energy Star rated equipment does not meet appropriate performance standards.
The agency may include non-Energy Star rated equipment as an alternate in the bid documents to enable lifecycle costing analysis
to be performed as part of the analysis of responsive bids. The agency shall be required to award a contract that includes
the procurement of Energy Star rated equipment unless the agency can demonstrate, in writing, to the satisfaction of the Director,
that the interests of the state would be better served by procuring non-Energy Star rated equipment.
b. Preference for Delaware labor. -- In the construction of all public works for the State or any political subdivision thereof
or by firms contracting with the State or any political subdivision thereof, preference in employment of laborers, workers
or mechanics shall be given to bona fide legal citizens of the State who have established citizenship by residence of at least
90 days in the State. Each public works contract for the construction of public works for the State or any political subdivision
thereof shall contain a stipulation that any person, company or corporation who violates this section shall pay a penalty
to the Secretary of Finance equal to the amount of compensation paid to any person in violation of this section.
(5) Retainages and substitution of securities. --
a. Authority to withhold contract retainage. --
1. Agencies may retain a portion of the payments to be made to a contractor for work performed pursuant to a public works
contract. The percentage of the value of work performed which may be retained shall be established for each particular contract
in the contract bidding documents and shall be incorporated into the contract. The percentage retained shall be 5% of the
value of the work completed by the contractor under the contract. Upon completion of the work under the contract, the agency
may release 60% of the amount then retained. The balance of the amount retained will be held until:
A. All reports required of the contract are received;
B. All subcontractors in trades listed on the bid form are paid by the contractor, unless the amount owed to the subcontractor
is disputed, in which case the agency may withhold 150% of the amount withheld by the contractor in its dispute with the subcontractor;
and
C. Final payment is authorized by the agency.
2. The agency may, at its option, retain, temporarily or permanently, a small amount and may cause the contractor to be paid,
temporarily or permanently, from time to time, such portion of the amount retained as it deems equitable. The contractor shall
be paid for all work that is due to the contractor under the contract except for the amount retained.
3. The agency may at the beginning of each public works contract establish a time schedule for the completion of the project.
If the project is delayed beyond the completion date due to the contractor's failure to meet his or her responsibilities,
the agency may forfeit all or part of retainage at its discretion.
b. Procedures requirement. -- Agencies shall establish standard procedures and regulations for the administration of contract
retainages prior to entering into contracts which require retainages. All agency procedures shall provide for contract retainage
and substitution of securities for retainage.
c. Substitution of securities. --
1. The contractor under a public works contract, with the approval of the agency, may deposit securities as authorized by
this section in substitution for monies being withheld from the contractor as retainage. Securities allowable for substitution
of retainage shall be: United States Treasury Bonds, United States Treasury Notes, United States Treasury Certificates of
Indebtedness or United States Treasury Bills; bonds or notes of the State; bonds of any political subdivision of the State;
or certificates of deposit from state or national banks located in this State; or any letter of credit or other security approved
by the agency.
2. The contractor shall have the right to withdraw and take all or portions of the monies being retained from the contractor
under the contract by depositing securities in substitution for such monies. The contractor may do so only in accordance with
the agency's standard procedures and mechanisms. Such substitution shall be approved by the agency only if the aggregate market
value of the securities are at least as great as the contract retainages being withdrawn.
3. A contractor may substitute cash for and receive back all or part of the securities on deposit from the contractor. The
cash must at least have the same value as the market value of the securities received back from the agency.
4. The contractor shall be entitled to receive, in all events, all interest and income earned on the securities deposited
by the contractor in substitution for contract retainage. If the securities deposited are in the form of coupon bonds, the
agency or the escrow agent designated by it and holding the deposited securities shall deliver each coupon to the contractor
as it matures.
5. All securities shall be released, delivered and paid over to the contractor at such time as cash monies being retained
from the contractor would have been released, delivered and paid over to the contractor under the public works contract if
there had been no substitution for the cash monies.
6. All costs of depositing and maintaining securities as provided for in this section shall be borne by the contractor.
7. No agency shall have any duty to invest monies being retained by it from a contractor under a public works contract in
any interest bearing account or to establish any procedures or mechanisms for any such investment.
8. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, any contracting agency may deny the contractor on any public works
contract permission to substitute securities for monies being held as retainages. This action shall be taken only for good
cause and when the agency deems it to be in the best interest of the contracting agency. Written notice shall be given to
the contractor and a hearing shall be held by the agency showing cause for such denial if requested in writing by the contractor.
Denial of such substitution shall be for a stated period of time, not to exceed a period of 3 years, and shall continue until
the end of the stated time period, or until the contractor has successfully completed all outstanding public works contracts
without forfeiting any part of the retainage held by the agency, whichever occurs first.
(6) Partial payments. -- Any public works contract executed by any agency may provide for partial payments with respect to
materials placed along or upon the sites or stored at secured locations, which are suitable for use in the performance of
the contract. When approved by the agency, partial payments may include the values of tested and acceptable materials of a
nonperishable or noncontaminative nature which have been produced or furnished for incorporation as a permanent part of work
yet to be completed, provided acceptable provisions have been made for storage. Any allowance made for materials on hand will
not exceed the delivered cost of the materials as verified by invoices furnished by the contractor, nor will it exceed the
contract bid price for the material complete in place.
(7) Equality of employment opportunity on public works. --
a. As a condition of the awarding of any contract for public works financed in whole or in part by state appropriation, such
contracts shall include the following provisions:
"During the performance of this contract, the contractor agrees as follows:
1. The contractor will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, sex,
sexual orientation or national origin. The contractor will take positive steps to ensure that applicants are employed and
that employees are treated during employment without regard to their race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation or national
origin. Such action shall include, but not be limited to, the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer; recruitment
or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training,
including apprenticeship. The contractor agrees to post in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment
notices to be provided by the contracting agency setting forth this nondiscrimination clause.
2. The contractor will, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the contractor, state
that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, sex, sexual
orientation or national origin.
b. The Secretary of the Department of Labor shall be responsible for the administration of this provision and shall adopt
such rules and regulations and issue such orders as deemed necessary to achieve the purposes thereof; provided, that no requirement
established hereby shall be in conflict with § 6904 of this title.
(8) Bid bonding requirements. --
a. All bids shall be accompanied by a deposit of either a good and sufficient bond to the agency for the benefit of the agency,
with corporate surety authorized to do business in this State, the form of the bond and the surety to be approved by the agency,
and the bond form used shall be the standard form issued by the Office of Management and Budget for this purpose or a security
of the bidder assigned to the agency, for a sum equal to at least 10% of the bid. The bid bond need not be for a specific
sum, but may be stated to be for a sum equal to 10% of the bid to which it relates and not to exceed a certain stated sum,
if said sum is equal to at least 10% of the bid. Any bid which, at the time it is submitted, is not accompanied by a bid bond
or sufficient security as required by this paragraph shall not be opened or read, and shall be rejected.
b. Upon the execution of a formal contract and performance bond, the bid bond or security shall be returned to the successful
bidder. The security of the unsuccessful bidders shall be returned to them immediately upon the awarding of the contract or
the rejection of all bids, but in no event later than 30 days after the opening of bids with the exception of school districts
and the Department of Public Instruction, which shall be no more than 60 days unless the contracting agency or school district
extends the bid evaluation period by 5 working days per the requirements of paragraph (d)(13)a. of this section. If the bid
evaluation period is extended by 5 working days, then the security of each unsuccessful bidder shall be returned to them on
the first working day after the end of the extended bid evaluation period.
c. Loss of bid bond as damages. -- In the event of any successful bidder refusing or neglecting to execute a formal contract
and bond within 20 days of the awarding of the contract, the bid bond or security deposited by the successful bidder shall
be taken and become the absolute property of the State for the benefit of the agency as liquidated damages. Such damages shall
neither constitute a forfeiture nor a penalty and shall be deposited with the Secretary of Finance. Such monies pertaining
to Department of Transportation contracts shall be deposited in the Transportation Trust Fund. The contracting agency may
award the contract to the next lowest responsible bidder or re-advertise for new bids.
d. In the case of bids submitted to agencies other than any county of this State and other than any public school district,
wherever security is required under this section, the vendor shall also supply with its bid its taxpayer identification number
(i.e., federal employer identification number or social security number) or a Delaware business license number and, should
the vendor be awarded a contract, such vendor shall provide to the agency the taxpayer identification or Delaware business
license numbers of such subcontractors. Such numbers shall be provided on the later of the date on which such subcontractor
is required to be identified or the time the contract is executed. The agency shall report to the Division of Revenue each
vendor selected for award within 15 days of execution of the contract and each subcontractor within 15 days of such contractor
having been identified to the agency or on the date of execution of the contract, whichever is later, unless the Director
of the Division of Revenue has notified the agency of criteria according to which, in the Director's discretion, reporting
is not required and the contract meets such criteria.
(9) Performance bonding requirements. --
a. Simultaneous with the execution of the formal contract, the successful bidder shall also execute a good and sufficient
bond to the contracting agency for the benefit of the agency, with corporate surety authorized to do business in this State,
in a sum equal to 100% of the contract price and the bond form used shall be the standard form issued by the Office of Management
and Budget.
b. The bond shall be conditioned upon the faithful compliance and performance by the successful bidder of each and every term
and condition of the contract and the proposal and plans and specifications thereof, at the time and in the manner prescribed
by the contract and the plans and specifications, including the payment in full, to every firm furnishing materiel or performing
labor in the performance of the contract, of all sums of money due it for such labor or materiel. The bond shall also contain
the successful bidder's guarantee to indemnify and save harmless the agency from all costs, damages and expenses growing out
of or by reason of the successful bidder's failure to comply and perform the work and complete the contract in accordance
with the contract.
c. The agency may, when it considers that the interests of the agency so require, cause judgment to be confessed upon the
bond. All sums received through confession of judgment shall be paid for the credit of the agency to the Secretary of Finance
or to the chief financial officer of the agency if it is not a state agency.
d. Every firm furnishing materiel or performing labor under the contract for which the successful bidder is liable may maintain
an action on the bond for its own use in the name of the agency in any court of competent jurisdiction for the recovery of
such sum or sums as may be due such firm from the successful bidder, but if the bond so provides, no suit shall be commenced
after the expiration of 1 year following the date on which the successful bidder ceased work on the contract. Otherwise, suits
may be commenced at any time within 3 years following the date the last work was done on the contract.
e. No firm or surety, in any action brought under this section, or on the bond required by this section, shall assert as a
defense to such action the claim that the bond given pursuant to this section contained a limitation or restriction not provided
for by this section.
f. In the event of defaults of its contracts, the money collected on the performance bonds shall be utilized by the contracting
agency for the projects for which the performance bonds were issued. All performance bond proceeds received shall be deposited
with the Secretary of Finance for the credit of the agency. Such monies pertaining to Department of Transportation contracts
shall be deposited in the Transportation Trust Fund.
g. In addition to the bond, letter of credit or other financial security posted by the successful bidder in conjunction with
the execution of the formal contract, each successful bidder, regardless of the type of the security posted or waived, as
the case may be, must purchase adequate insurance for the performance of the contract and, by submission of a bid, does agree
to indemnify and save harmless and to defend all legal or equitable actions brought against the agency or officer or employee
of the agency for and from all claims of liability which is or may be the result of the successful bidder's actions during
the performance of the contract. The purchase or nonpurchase of such insurance or the involvement of the successful bidder
in any legal or equitable defense of any action brought against the successful bidder based upon work performed pursuant to
the contract shall not waive any defense which the agency and its officers and employees might otherwise have to such claims,
specifically including the defense of sovereign immunity, where applicable, and by the terms of this section, the agency and
its officers and employees shall not be financially responsible for the consequences of work performed, pursuant to said contract.
h. Contracts may contain a waiver of the bond requirement; provided however, that the successful bidder post with the contracting
agency an irrevocable letter of credit or other suitable or readily collectible financial security for the project. Such security
shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the contracting agency.
(10) Public buildings; special requirements. --
a. Pre-bid meeting requirement. -- In the case of any public works contract for the construction, reconstruction, alteration
or repair of any public building (not a road, street or highway) the agency shall call a meeting of all prospective bidders
upon reasonable notice and at a place and time stated in the notice. The meeting shall be at least 15 days before the date
for the submission of bids.
At the meeting, all the participants, including the agency, shall attempt to agree upon a listing of all subcontractor categories
to be included in the bids for performing the work as required by paragraph (10)b. of this subsection and any such agreed
listing shall be final and binding upon all bidders and upon the agency. If all of the participants do not agree on such a
listing at the meeting, then the agency itself, at least 10 days before the due date for the submission of bids, shall determine
the subcontractor categories to be included in the listing. The listing, whether agreed to by all of the participants at the
meeting or determined by the agency itself in the absence of the unanimous agreement of the participants at the meeting, shall
be published by the agency at least 10 days before the due date for the submission of bids by mailing and listing to all of
the participants at the meeting. The listing, as so published, shall be final and binding upon all bidders and the agency
and it shall be filled out completely, in full, without any abbreviations. If the agency required prequalification of subcontractors
pursuant to this section in its invitation to bid, no contractor shall list a subcontractor in its subcontractor listing required
by this subsection who has not already been prequalified by the agency.
b. Subcontracting requirements. -- All contracts for the construction, reconstruction, alteration or repair of any public
building (not a road, street or highway) shall be subject to the following provisions:
1. Such contract shall be awarded only to a bidder whose bid is accompanied by a statement containing, for each subcontractor
category set forth in the listing as provided in paragraph (10)a. of this subsection the name and address (city or town and
State only -- street number and P.O. Box addresses not required) of the subcontractor whose services the bidder intends to
use in performing the work and providing the materiel for such subcontractor category. Where any services and/or materiel
are to be provided by or through a third tier contractor, the bidder shall also supply the name and address of the third tier
contractor. If a bidder intends to perform the work or provide the materiel for any subcontractor category specifically established
by the agency and as set forth in the listing provided for in paragraph (10)a. of this subsection, the bidder must list itself
as the subcontractor for that category. If at the time it is submitted a bid is not accompanied by the subcontractor statement
required by this subparagraph, or if a bidder fails to list itself as the subcontractor for any category for which it intends
to perform the work or provide the materiel, the bid shall not be opened or read, and shall be rejected.
2. The contracting agency shall neither accept any bid nor award any contract to any bidder which, as the prime contractor,
has listed itself as the subcontractor for any subcontractor category on the listing as provided in paragraph (10)a. of this
subsection, unless:
A. It has been established to the satisfaction of the awarding agency that the bidder has customarily performed the specialty
work of such subcontractor category by artisans regularly employed by the bidder's firm;
B. That the bidder is duly licensed by the State to engage in such specialty work, if the State requires such licenses; and
C. That the bidder is recognized in the industry as a bona fide subcontractor or contractor in such specialty work and subcontractor
category.
The typical subcontractor categories involving specialty work includes, by way of illustration and not limited to, plumbing,
electrical wiring, heating, roofing, insulating, weather stripping, masonry, bricklaying and plastering. The decision of the
awarding agency as to whether a bidder who lists itself as the subcontractor for a subcontractor category set forth in the
listing as provided in paragraph (10)a. of this subsection shall be final and binding upon all bidders, and no action of any
nature shall lie against any awarding agency or its employees or officers because of its decision in this regard.
3. After such a contract has been awarded, the successful bidder shall not substitute another subcontractor for any subcontractor
whose name was set forth in the statement which accompanied the bid without the written consent of the awarding agency. No
agency shall consent to any substitution of subcontractors unless the agency is satisfied that the subcontractor whose name
is on the bidders accompanying statement:
A. Is unqualified to perform the work required;
B. Has failed to execute a timely reasonable subcontract;
C. Has defaulted in the performance on the portion of the work covered by the subcontract; or
D. Is no longer engaged in such business.
4. All such contracts shall contain a provision for a penalty against the successful bidder for its failure to utilize any
or all the subcontractors in the successful bidder's accompanying statement in the performance of the work on the public building
contemplated by the contract. The penalty amount shall be set by the agency. The agency will also determine if the amount
is to be deducted from payments to the bidder for contract performance or if the amount is to be paid directly to the agency
by the bidder. Any penalty amount assessed against the contractor may be remitted or refunded, in whole or in part, by the
agency awarding the contract, only if it is established to the satisfaction of the agency that the subcontractor in question
has defaulted or is no longer engaged in such business. No claim for the remission or refund of any penalty shall be granted
under this section unless an application is filed within 1 year after the liability of the successful bidder accrues. All
penalty amounts assessed and not refunded or remitted to the contractor shall be reverted to the State, municipality or other
agency as the case may be.
5. If awarded, not to a general contractor, but to a prime contractor which contracts directly with agency awarding and/or
administering the contract, such contract may include a provision in its contract specifications that the successful bidder
perform a fixed percentage of the work of said public works contract up to 50% of the total contract bid. Factors to be considered
by the agency awarding the contract in setting the required percentage of amount of work the successful bidder must perform
may include the degree of difficulty involved in the agency's administration of the work covered under the terms of the public
works contract; the degree of specialty work contemplated in the contract including, but not limited to, the amount of plumbing,
electrical wiring, heating, roofing, insulation, weather-stripping, masonry, bricklaying or plastering work under the contract;
and the time period required in which to complete the public works project. The terms of the contract shall so specify reasons
for the stated percentage in its general terms and conditions. The decision of the agency setting the required percentage
shall not be set aside by any court of competent jurisdiction as long as there is a rational basis for setting the required
fixed percentage to be performed by the contractor. If the successful bidder fails to perform pursuant to the terms of this
provision, the agency awarding and/or administering the contract may invoke the provisions of § 6964 of this title.
6. No construction manager contract for public school projects may be signed unless approved by the Director.
(11) Other contracting requirements. --
a. Asbestos abatement. -- The selection of any contractor to perform asbestos abatement for State-funded projects shall be
approved by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to Chapter 78 of Title 16.
b. Standards of construction; protection of physically handicapped. -- All contracts shall conform with the standards established
by the Delaware Architectural Accessibility Board as authorized by Chapter 73 of this title, unless otherwise exempted by
the Board.
(12) Public bid opening requirements. --
a. Bids shall be opened publicly and the contractor and total bid price or the contractor, base bid, and alternate price should
be read aloud at the time and place designated in the plans and specifications.
b. Bids shall be unconditionally accepted without alteration. After the bid opening, no corrections in bid prices or other
provisions of bids prejudicial to the interests of the State or fair competition shall be permitted.
(13) Bid evaluation, contract award and execution procedure. --
a. The contracting agency shall award any public works contract within 30 days of the bid opening to the lowest responsive
and responsible bidder, unless the agency elects to award on the basis of best value, in which case the election to award
on the basis of best value shall be stated in the invitation to bid. Any public school district and its board shall award
public works contracts in accordance with this section's requirements except it shall award the contract within 60 days of
the bid opening. A contracting agency shall extend the 30-day bid evaluation period by a total of 5 working days and a school
district shall extend the 60-day bid evaluation period by a total of 5 working days if a bid is nonresponsive or a bidder
is judged to be not responsible, and the bidder cannot be notified in writing a minimum of 5 days prior to the end of the
30-day bid evaluation period in the case of an agency, or the 60-day bid evaluation period in the case of a school district.
Written notification to the bidder or bidders whose bid is non-responsive or who have been determined to be not responsible
shall be received at least 5 working days prior to the end of the original or the extended evaluation period and shall specify
the reason(s) why the bid is nonresponsive or the bidder determined to be not responsible. If the bid evaluation period is
extended by 5 working days, the contracting agency or school district shall notify each bidder in writing prior to the end
of the 30-day bid evaluation period in the case of an agency, or the 60-day bid evaluation period in the case of a school
district, that the bid evaluation period is being extended by 5 working days. The written notification to all bidders shall
include the calendar date by which the agency or school district shall award a contract or reject all bids.
Each bid on any public works contract must be deemed responsive by the agency to be considered for award. A responsive bid
shall conform in all material respects to the requirements and criteria set forth in the contract plans and specifications.
An agency shall determine that each bidder on any public works contract is responsible before awarding the contract. Factors
to be considered in determining the responsibility of a bidder include:
1. The bidder's financial, physical, personnel or other resources including subcontracts;
2. The bidder's record of performance on past public or private construction projects, including, but not limited to, defaults
and/or final adjudication or admission of violations of prevailing wage laws in Delaware or any other state;
3. The bidder's written safety plan;
4. Whether the bidder is qualified legally to contract with the State;
5. Whether the bidder supplied all necessary information concerning its responsibility; and,
6. Any other specific criteria for a particular procurement, which an agency may establish; provided however, that, the criteria
shall be set forth in the invitation to bid and is otherwise in conformity with State and/or federal law.
If an agency determines that a bidder is nonresponsive and/or nonresponsible, the determination shall be in writing and set
forth the basis for the determination. A copy of the determination shall be sent to the affected bidder within 5 working days
of said determination. The final determination shall be made part of the procurement file.
If the agency elects to award on the basis of best value, the agency must determine that the successful bidder is responsive
and responsible, as defined in this subsection. The determination of best value shall be based upon objective criteria that
have been communicated to the bidders in the invitation to bid. The following objective criteria shall be assigned a weight
consistent with the following:
(1) Price -- must be at least 70% but no more than 90%; and
(2) Schedule -- must be at least 10% but no more than 30%; and
A weighted average stated in the invitation to bid shall be applied to each criterion according to its importance to each
project. The agency shall rank the bidder according to the established criteria and award to the highest ranked bidder. Every
state agency and school district shall, on a yearly basis, file a report with every member of the General Assembly and the
Governor that states which projects were bid under best value and what contractor was awarded each contract.
b. A contract may be awarded to a bidder other than the lowest responsible and responsive bidde
Budget, Fiscal, Procurement and Contracting Regulations
CHAPTER 69. STATE PROCUREMENT
Subchapter IV. Public Works Contracting
§ 6960. Prevailing wage requirements.
(a) The specifications for every contract or aggregate of contracts relating to a public works project in excess of $100,000
for new construction (including painting and decorating) or $15,000 for alteration, repair, renovation, rehabilitation, demolition
or reconstruction (including painting and decorating of buildings or works) to which this State or any subdivision thereof
is a party and for which the State appropriated any part of the funds and which requires or involves the employment of mechanics
and/or laborers shall contain a provision stating the minimum wages to be paid various classes of laborers and mechanics which
shall be based upon the wages that will be determined by the Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Industrial Affairs,
to be prevailing in the county in which the work is to be performed. The Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Industrial
Affairs shall establish the prevailing wage for each respective craft or class of laborers and mechanics at the same rates
established in collective bargaining agreements between labor organizations and their employers that govern work of a similar
nature and similar crafts or classes of laborers and mechanics for the county where the public works contract will be performed
if that particular labor organization's collective bargaining rate prevailed and they participated in the survey, for that
particular trade or craft in that particular county for 2 consecutive years. The agreed rate of pay designated by the craft's
collective bargaining agreement will become the prevailing wage for a period of 5 years and the raise be determined by the
collective bargaining agreement rate at the time the prevailing wage survey is conducted for that craft, county, and year.
If the prevailing wage cannot be reasonably and fairly determined in any locality because no such agreements exists or the
collective bargaining rate has not prevailed for 2 consecutive years the Department shall use the prevailing wage as established
by the Department's annual prevailing wage survey. There will be a 1-time challenge of the prevailing wage rate per cycle
as in the Department regulations. All other provisions of this law are to remain unchanged.
(b) Every contract based upon these specifications shall contain a stipulation that the employer shall pay all mechanics and
laborers employed directly upon the site of the work, unconditionally and not less often than once a week and without subsequent
deduction or rebate on any account, the full amounts accrued at time of payment, computed at wage rates not less than those
stated in the specifications, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the employer
and such laborers and mechanics. The specifications shall further stipulate that the scale of wages to be paid shall be posted
by the employer in a prominent and easily accessible place at the site of the work, and that there may be withheld from the
employer so much of accrued payments as may be considered necessary by the Department of Labor to pay to laborers and mechanics
employed by the employer the difference between the rates of wages required by the contract to be paid laborers and mechanics
on the work and rates of wages received by such laborers and mechanics to be remitted to the Department of Labor for distribution
upon resolution of any claims.
(c) Every contract based upon these specifications shall contain a stipulation that sworn payroll information, as required
by the Department of Labor, be furnished weekly. The Department of Labor shall keep and maintain the sworn payroll information
for a period of 6 months from the last day of the work week covered by the payroll.
(d) The Department of Labor shall investigate all claims that the prevailing wage rates as provided for under this section
are not being or have not been paid. Upon finding that an employer has not paid or is not paying the prevailing wage rates,
the Department of Labor shall notify the employer of the violations by certified mail and make an effort to obtain compliance.
Upon failure to obtain compliance within 15 days of receipt of said certified mail, the Secretary may terminate all rights
of the employer to proceed with the work under the public construction contract, and the employer shall be responsible for
all damages resulting therefrom.
(e) Any employer who knowingly fails or refuses to pay the prevailing wage rates provided for under this section, or who fails
to submit payroll reports or post notice of the wage rates which apply to the project shall, for each such violation, be subject
to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 for each violation. No public construction contract in this
State shall be bid on, awarded to or received by any contractor or subcontractor or any person, firm, partnership or corporation
in which such employer has an interest who, within 2 years after entry of a judgment pursuant to this chapter, is adjudicated
in violation of this chapter in a subsequent proceeding until 3 years have elapsed from the date of the subsequent penalty
judgment. A civil penalty claim may be filed in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(f) Any laborer or mechanic employed by any employer, or the Department of Labor on behalf of any laborer or mechanic employed
by any employer, who is paid in a sum less than the prevailing wage rates provided for under this section shall have a right
of action against the employer in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover treble the difference between the amount
so paid and the prevailing wage rate. Such action may be brought by the Department of Labor in the name and for the benefit
of the laborer or mechanic with or without an assignment of the claim from the employee and upon notice to the aggrieved employee,
the Department of Labor shall have the power to settle and adjust any such claim to the same extent as would the aggrieved
employee. It shall not be a defense to such action that the underpayment was received by the laborer or mechanic without protest.
Upon the filing of an action under this section, the employer shall post suitable bond approved by the court for the damages
which may be recoverable thereunder. Any judgment entered for plaintiff shall include an award for reasonable attorney's
fees and costs of prosecution. The Department of Labor shall not be required to pay the filing fee or other costs of the action
or fees of any nature to file bond or other security of any nature in connection with such action or with proceedings supplementary
thereto or as a condition precedent to the availability to the Department of any process in aid of such action or proceedings.
The Department shall have the authority to join various claimants in 1 preferred claim lien and, in case of suit, to join
them in 1 cause of action.
(g) Any wages collected under this chapter, but not claimed by the employee within 1 year from the date of collection, shall
be retained by the Department of Labor for enforcement purposes.
(h) No action to recover wages and damages under this section shall be brought after the expiration of 2 years from the accruing
of the cause of action.
(i) Whenever any person shall contract with another for the performance of any work which the contracting person has undertaken
to perform, he or she shall become civilly liable to employees engaged in the performance of work under such contract for
the payment of wages, exclusive of treble damages, as required under this section, whenever and to the extent that the employer
of such employees fails to pay such wages, and the employer of such employees shall be liable to such person for any wages
paid by the employer under this section. If pursuant to this subsection a person becomes civilly liable to employees of another,
such liability shall not constitute a violation of this section for purposes of the termination, civil penalty and debarment
provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of this section.
(j) A contract manager shall be responsible for monitoring compliance with this section, but shall not become civilly liable
to the same extent as the contracting person. For purposes of this section, "contract manager" means any person who performs
the function of the contracting person without becoming a party to the contract of performance, but rather contracts with
the recipient of the goods or services to act as his/her agent. A contract manager who knowingly fails or refuses to monitor
compliance with this section shall, for each such failure or refusal, be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $100
nor more than $500. A civil penalty claim under this subsection may be filed in any court of competent jurisdiction. A contract
manager's liability for a civil penalty pursuant to this subsection shall not constitute a violation of this section for purposes
of the termination, civil penalty and debarment provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of this section.
(k) Any employer who discharges or in any manner discriminates against an employee because that employee has made a complaint
or has given information to the Department pursuant to this chapter, or because that employee has caused to be instituted
or is about to cause to be instituted any proceedings under this chapter, or has testified or is about to testify in any such
proceedings, shall be deemed in violation of this chapter and shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000
nor more than $5,000 for each violation.
(l) A Prevailing Wage Advisory Council is hereby established to assist the Department in carrying out its duties under the
prevailing wage law. Such advisory council shall be appointed by the Secretary of Labor, shall be convened by the Director
of the Division of Industrial Affairs (who shall serve as a non-voting member) and shall consist of 10 representatives from
construction industry organizations/associations. The members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years provided, however,
that the initial members may be appointed to terms shorter than 3 years but not less than 1 year to ensure staggered term
expirations. The members shall receive no compensation.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 6913; 53 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 57 Del. Laws, c. 454, § 17; 58 Del. Laws, c. 408; 63 Del. Laws, c. 80, § 69; 65 Del. Laws, c. 368, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 260, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 64, § 28; 69 Del. Laws, c. 295, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 99, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 601, §§ 6, 8; 71 Del. Laws, c. 310, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 312, § 1; 72 Del. Laws, c. 170, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 129, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 279, §§ 1, 3; 76 Del. Laws, c. 185, § 1.;
§ 6961. Small public works contract procedures.
(a) Applicability. -- Any state contract for which an agency is a party and for which the probable cost is less than or equal
to the threshold amount(s) set by the Contracting and Purchasing Advisory Council pursuant to § 6913 of this title for small
public works contracts shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
(b) Procedure. -- All contracts entered into pursuant to this section shall follow the procedures as prescribed by the Director
pursuant to § 6922 of this title.
(c) Bid and performance bonds as authorized in § 6962 of this title may be made a requirement by the agency for contracts
made pursuant to this section.
70 Del. Laws, c. 601, § 9; 75 Del. Laws, c. 88, § 16(5).;
§ 6962. Large public works contract procedures.
(a) Applicability. -- Any state contract for which an agency is a party and for which the probable cost is greater than the
amount set by the Contracting and Purchasing Advisory Council pursuant to § 6913 of this title for small public works contracts
shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
(b) Advertising requirements. -- Each agency shall publicly announce, not less than once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in
a newspaper published or circulated in each county of the State, each public works contract. Any agency may also maintain
a register of prospective bidders which may be used to provide direct notification of contracts to be bid. This register shall
not be used in a manner which will limit the competitiveness of the bidding process described in this subchapter. No agency
shall be subject to a cause of action or be otherwise liable for any errors or omissions in administering a bid registry.
The public announcement shall also state the nature of the contract under the following conditions:
(1) If the agency requires all bidders to be registered or prequalified in order to receive bidding documents for the proposed
contract, the announcement shall state in general terms the character and location of the work and bid and performance bond
requirements. If the agency requires prequalification of subcontractors in its invitation to bid, no contractor shall list
a subcontractor in its subcontractor listing who has not already been prequalified by the agency.
(2) If the agency does not require bidder registration or prequalification for the proposed contract, the announcement shall
state with reasonable accuracy the character, quantity and location of the work as well as bid and performance bond requirements.
The public announcement shall also state that the agency may extend the time and place for the opening of bids from that described
in the announcement. Such extension shall not take place unless at least 2 calendar days' notice, by certified delivery, facsimile
transmission or by other verifiable electronic means, is sent to those bidders who obtained copies of the plans and specifications
or contract descriptions.
(c) Bidder prequalification requirements. --
(1) The Office shall establish a 2-step process for the prequalification of contractors and subcontractors that desire to
bid on large public works contracts for which prequalification is specified by the contracting agency. A contractor shall
not be permitted to bid on a contract that requires prequalification unless the contractor has been prequalified pursuant
to this subsection. A prequalified and classified contractor shall not be permitted to submit a bid on a specific contract
unless the contractor completes a questionnaire and submits supplemental information at the option of the contracting agency
or per paragraph (c)(9)a. of this section to the Office pertaining to that contract. The supplemental request for information
shall not include any information requested during the first step of the prequalification process, but may require the contractor
to affirm that no material changes have occurred since the application for the first step of the prequalification process
was submitted to the Office. The prequalification process shall apply to general contractors and subcontractors in the areas
that are deemed necessary by the Office.
(2) The prequalification classification issued by the Office as part 1 of the prequalification process shall be valid for
12 months. A contractor or subcontractor subject to prequalification shall request to be reclassified by the Office after
the 12-month period in order to remain eligible to bid on public works contracts that require prequalification. A contractor
or subcontractor who holds a valid prequalification classification shall report any material changes which could adversely
affect the prequalification, as established in paragraph (3) of this subsection, to the Office in writing within 10 days of
the material change. A contractor or subcontractor may report to the Office in writing material changes which could positively
affect the prequalification, as established in paragraph (3) of this subsection. Based on the information provided, the Office
may change the classification or revoke prequalification at the sole discretion of the Director.
(3) The prequalification process shall include a requirement that the contractor or subcontractor submit a statement under
oath on a form designated by the Office. The form shall fully describe and establish the financial ability, responsibility,
plant and equipment, organization, ownership, relationships, and prior experience of the contractor or subcontractor and any
other pertinent and material facts as may be deemed necessary by the Office. At the discretion of the Office, the submission
shall include part or all of the following:
a. The most recent audited financial statement and/or financial statement review containing a complete statement of the proposing
contractor's or subcontractor's financial status. Such statement shall include the contractor's Z score;
b. The proposing contractor's or subcontractor's experience on other public works or private sector projects, including but
not limited to the size, complexity and scope of the firm's prior projects;
c. Performance reviews of the proposing contractor or subcontractor on previously awarded public works or private sector construction
projects within the last 10 years;
d. Civil judgments and/or criminal history of the proposing contractor's or subcontractor's principals;
e. Any debarment or suspension by any government agency;
f. Any revocation or suspension of a license;
g. Any bankruptcy filings or proceedings; and
h. A statement as to organization, which shall demonstrate the adequacy of such organization to undertake a public works contract.
This statement shall include the resumes of the management and professional staff.
(4) After the receipt of the submission provided for in paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Office may verify all information
provided in the contractor's or subcontractor's submission, including applicable license and certificate requirements, federal
or state debarments, and violations of law. The Office may also conduct inquiries or surveys of the contractor's or subcontractor's
prior customers.
(5)a. Based upon the submission provided for in paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection, the Office Review Committee, which
shall include at least 2 Office employees, shall assign a contractor or subcontractor the following classification(s) and
limits for the purpose of determining the types of projects for which a contractor or subcontractor is entitled to bid:
1. A trade(s) or work classification(s); and
2. The maximum contract dollar value for which the contractor or subcontractor may submit a bid.
To effectuate these requirements of the prequalification process, the Office shall develop rules and regulations for assigning
classifications and maximum dollar limits.
b. The classification shall be made, or prequalification may be denied, and notice thereof shall be sent to the contractor
or subcontractor within 5 days of the determination made pursuant to subparagraph a. of this paragraph by registered or certified
mail or other legally valid methods. Notice of prequalification classification or denial shall also be sent to the contracting
agency if said agency is not the Office.
(6) Based upon the proposing contractor's or subcontractor's answers to the step-1 or step-2 prequalification questionnaire,
the Office may deny prequalification for any one of the following specified reasons:
a. Insufficient financial ability to perform a public works contract;
b. Inadequate experience to undertake a public works contract;
c. Documented failure to perform on prior public or private construction contracts, including but not limited to final adjudication
or admission of violations of prevailing wage laws in Delaware or any other state;
d. Prior judgments for breach of contract that indicate the proposing contractor or subcontractor may not be capable of performing
the work or completing a large public works contract;
e. Criminal convictions for fraud, misrepresentation or theft relating to contract procurement;
f. Previous debarment or suspension of the contractor or subcontractor by any government agency that indicates the proposing
contractor or subcontractor may not be capable of performing the work or completing a large public works contract;
g. Previous revocation or suspension of a license that indicates the proposing contractor or subcontractor may not be capable
of performing the work or completing a public works contract;
h. Previous bankruptcy proceedings that indicate the proposing contractor or subcontractor may not be capable of performing
the work or completing a public works contract; or
i. Failure to provide accurate prequalification information on past or current prequalification questionnaires.
Reason or reasons for the denial of prequalification shall be in writing, and shall be sent to the contractor or subcontractor
within 5 working days of such decision. An agency may refuse to provide any contractor or subcontractor disqualified under
this paragraph plans and specifications for a contract. An agency receiving a bid from a contractor or subcontractor disqualified
under this paragraph shall not consider such bid.
(7) Any contractor or subcontractor disqualified pursuant to paragraph (6) of this subsection may request a review of such
decisions with the Director within 5 working days of the receipt of the agency's notification of the prequalification decision.
Such request shall be made in writing. No action in law or equity shall lie against any agency or its employees if the contractor
or subcontractor does not first review the decision with the Director. To the extent the contractor or subcontractor brings
an action challenging a decision made pursuant to paragraph (6) of this subsection after such review by the Director, the
court shall afford great weight to the decision of the Office head and shall not overturn such decision unless the contractor
or subcontractor proves by clear and convincing evidence that such decision was arbitrary and capricious.
(8) The Office shall maintain a registry of all contractors and subcontractors prequalified to bid on public works projects.
The registry shall include the classification(s) of the contractor or subcontractor and the maximum contract dollar value
for which the contractor or subcontractor may submit a bid.
(9)a. In addition to the prequalification required herein, any agency shall require a contractor or subcontractor to provide
supplemental information that is specifically relevant to the public works contract to be bid. Such additional information
shall be considered supplemental certification and shall not duplicate in any way the information required by the Office in
its prequalification process except for labor supply available to complete the project in a timely manner.
b. Based upon the proposing contractor's or subcontractor's answers to the agency's supplemental prequalification questionnaire,
the Director, or in the case of school projects, the school district may deny the prequalification for any one of the following
specified reasons:
1. Inadequate experience to undertake the specific project that requires supplemental prequalification;
2. Inadequate expertise to undertake the specific project that requires supplemental prequalification;
3. Failure to provide supplemental prequalification information for the specific project that requires supplemental prequalification;
or
4. Inadequate labor supply available to complete the project in a timely manner.
Denial of supplemental prequalification by the Office, or in the case of school projects, the school district shall be in
writing no later than 2 weeks before the close of the project bid and shall be sent to the contractor or subcontractor within
5 working days of such decision. An agency may refuse to provide any contractor or subcontractor disqualified under this paragraph
plans and specifications for the contract. An agency receiving a bid from a contractor or subcontractor disqualified under
this paragraph shall not consider such bid.
(10) Any contractor or subcontractor disqualified pursuant to paragraph (9) of this subsection may request in writing within
5 working days of the receipt of the Office's or, in the case of school projects, the school district's, supplemental prequalification
a review of such decisions with the Director or the Director's designee or, in the case of school projects, the school district.
No action in law or equity shall lie against any agency or its employees if the contractor or subcontractor does not first
review the decision with the Director or, in the case of school projects, the school district within 5 working days after
the decision is rendered by the Office or, in the case of school projects, the school district. To the extent the contractor
or subcontractor brings an action challenging a decision made pursuant to paragraph (9) of this subsection after such review
by the Director or, in the case of school projects, the school district, the court shall afford great weight to the decision
of the Director or, in the case of school projects, the school district and shall not overturn such decision unless the contractor
or subcontractor proves by clear and convincing evidence that such decision was "arbitrary and capricious."
(11) In addition, for the US 301 project from the Maryland-Delaware state line to its termination at Delaware Route 1, all
contractors and subcontractors are required, independently or through agreement with other organizations, to provide craft
training for journeyman and apprentice levels through a bona fide program approved by and registered with the State of Delaware
and/or United States Department of Labor.
(d) Bid specifications and plans requirements. --
(1) Preparation of plans and specifications and approvals. -- The contracting agency shall cause suitable plans and specifications
to be prepared for all contracts pursuant to this section. All plans and specifications shall be prepared by registered and
licensed architects and/or engineers who shall sign the plans and specifications and affix their seals thereto. This requirement
may be waived if:
a. The work to be covered by the public works contract is to be performed in accordance with identical plans and specifications
similarly signed and sealed pursuant to which previous public works contracts have been awarded under this subchapter. Any
architect and/or engineer who signed and sealed the original of such identical plan(s) will have no liability arising from
the use of those plans other than the use contemplated by the contract pursuant to which the original copies of such plans
was created, unless such architect and/or engineer reviews and approves such different use; or
b. The project does not require architectural and engineering services and the agency head waives in writing the use of such
services.
(2) Agency assistance. -- An agency may retain, in accordance with subchapter V of this chapter, the professional services
of a general contractor or other qualified firm to assist in cost estimation, economic design analysis and construction.
(3) Prohibition of brand specification. -- The description of work and/or materiel and the plans and specifications shall
not use a brand or trade name, except as an indication of the type or quality of materiel and in all such limited cases shall
contain the words "or approved equal."
(4) Special provisions. --
a. Anti-pollution, conservation, environmental measures or Energy Star equipment not covered by contract specifications. --
1. The description of the materiel and the plans and specifications for the work issued by the agency shall set forth those
provisions of federal, state and local statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations respecting anti-pollution, conservation
and environmental protection which affect the project or projects for which such solicitations or bids are sought.
2. If the successful bidder must undertake anti-pollution, conservation or environmental protection work not specified in
the agency's plans and specifications or descriptions of materiel, including measures required by the enactment of new or
the amendment of existing statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations occurring after the submission of the successful bid
or quotation, the awarding agency shall issue a change order, as provided for in § 6963 of this title, setting forth the additional
measures that must be undertaken.
3. Cost. -- The cost of such a change order to the awarding agency shall be determined in accordance with the contract for
change orders or force accounts. If no such provision is set forth in the contract, then the cost to the awarding agency shall
be the contractor's costs for wages, labor costs other than wages, wage taxes, materiel, equipment rentals, insurance and
subcontracts attributable to the additional activity plus a reasonable sum for overhead and profit.
4. Authorization. -- Written authorization by the agency is to be given to the successful bidder prior to the bidder undertaking
such additional activity. Costs incurred by the successful bidder for additional work performed without prior approval shall
not be approved for payment by the agency.
5. Energy Star equipment. -- Prior to finalizing specifications for equipment to be purchased as part of a large public works
contract, the agency or its architect and/or engineer shall review all equipment to determine whether Energy Star rated products
are available. For each piece of equipment, if an Energy Star product is available, the specifications and bid documents shall
require the use of an Energy Star product unless the agency can demonstrate, in writing, to the satisfaction of the Director,
that a product with an Energy Star rating meets at least one of the following criteria:
A. The Energy Star rated equipment is not available competitively,
B. The Energy Star rated equipment is not available within a reasonable time frame, or
C. The Energy Star rated equipment does not meet appropriate performance standards.
The agency may include non-Energy Star rated equipment as an alternate in the bid documents to enable lifecycle costing analysis
to be performed as part of the analysis of responsive bids. The agency shall be required to award a contract that includes
the procurement of Energy Star rated equipment unless the agency can demonstrate, in writing, to the satisfaction of the Director,
that the interests of the state would be better served by procuring non-Energy Star rated equipment.
b. Preference for Delaware labor. -- In the construction of all public works for the State or any political subdivision thereof
or by firms contracting with the State or any political subdivision thereof, preference in employment of laborers, workers
or mechanics shall be given to bona fide legal citizens of the State who have established citizenship by residence of at least
90 days in the State. Each public works contract for the construction of public works for the State or any political subdivision
thereof shall contain a stipulation that any person, company or corporation who violates this section shall pay a penalty
to the Secretary of Finance equal to the amount of compensation paid to any person in violation of this section.
(5) Retainages and substitution of securities. --
a. Authority to withhold contract retainage. --
1. Agencies may retain a portion of the payments to be made to a contractor for work performed pursuant to a public works
contract. The percentage of the value of work performed which may be retained shall be established for each particular contract
in the contract bidding documents and shall be incorporated into the contract. The percentage retained shall be 5% of the
value of the work completed by the contractor under the contract. Upon completion of the work under the contract, the agency
may release 60% of the amount then retained. The balance of the amount retained will be held until:
A. All reports required of the contract are received;
B. All subcontractors in trades listed on the bid form are paid by the contractor, unless the amount owed to the subcontractor
is disputed, in which case the agency may withhold 150% of the amount withheld by the contractor in its dispute with the subcontractor;
and
C. Final payment is authorized by the agency.
2. The agency may, at its option, retain, temporarily or permanently, a small amount and may cause the contractor to be paid,
temporarily or permanently, from time to time, such portion of the amount retained as it deems equitable. The contractor shall
be paid for all work that is due to the contractor under the contract except for the amount retained.
3. The agency may at the beginning of each public works contract establish a time schedule for the completion of the project.
If the project is delayed beyond the completion date due to the contractor's failure to meet his or her responsibilities,
the agency may forfeit all or part of retainage at its discretion.
b. Procedures requirement. -- Agencies shall establish standard procedures and regulations for the administration of contract
retainages prior to entering into contracts which require retainages. All agency procedures shall provide for contract retainage
and substitution of securities for retainage.
c. Substitution of securities. --
1. The contractor under a public works contract, with the approval of the agency, may deposit securities as authorized by
this section in substitution for monies being withheld from the contractor as retainage. Securities allowable for substitution
of retainage shall be: United States Treasury Bonds, United States Treasury Notes, United States Treasury Certificates of
Indebtedness or United States Treasury Bills; bonds or notes of the State; bonds of any political subdivision of the State;
or certificates of deposit from state or national banks located in this State; or any letter of credit or other security approved
by the agency.
2. The contractor shall have the right to withdraw and take all or portions of the monies being retained from the contractor
under the contract by depositing securities in substitution for such monies. The contractor may do so only in accordance with
the agency's standard procedures and mechanisms. Such substitution shall be approved by the agency only if the aggregate market
value of the securities are at least as great as the contract retainages being withdrawn.
3. A contractor may substitute cash for and receive back all or part of the securities on deposit from the contractor. The
cash must at least have the same value as the market value of the securities received back from the agency.
4. The contractor shall be entitled to receive, in all events, all interest and income earned on the securities deposited
by the contractor in substitution for contract retainage. If the securities deposited are in the form of coupon bonds, the
agency or the escrow agent designated by it and holding the deposited securities shall deliver each coupon to the contractor
as it matures.
5. All securities shall be released, delivered and paid over to the contractor at such time as cash monies being retained
from the contractor would have been released, delivered and paid over to the contractor under the public works contract if
there had been no substitution for the cash monies.
6. All costs of depositing and maintaining securities as provided for in this section shall be borne by the contractor.
7. No agency shall have any duty to invest monies being retained by it from a contractor under a public works contract in
any interest bearing account or to establish any procedures or mechanisms for any such investment.
8. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, any contracting agency may deny the contractor on any public works
contract permission to substitute securities for monies being held as retainages. This action shall be taken only for good
cause and when the agency deems it to be in the best interest of the contracting agency. Written notice shall be given to
the contractor and a hearing shall be held by the agency showing cause for such denial if requested in writing by the contractor.
Denial of such substitution shall be for a stated period of time, not to exceed a period of 3 years, and shall continue until
the end of the stated time period, or until the contractor has successfully completed all outstanding public works contracts
without forfeiting any part of the retainage held by the agency, whichever occurs first.
(6) Partial payments. -- Any public works contract executed by any agency may provide for partial payments with respect to
materials placed along or upon the sites or stored at secured locations, which are suitable for use in the performance of
the contract. When approved by the agency, partial payments may include the values of tested and acceptable materials of a
nonperishable or noncontaminative nature which have been produced or furnished for incorporation as a permanent part of work
yet to be completed, provided acceptable provisions have been made for storage. Any allowance made for materials on hand will
not exceed the delivered cost of the materials as verified by invoices furnished by the contractor, nor will it exceed the
contract bid price for the material complete in place.
(7) Equality of employment opportunity on public works. --
a. As a condition of the awarding of any contract for public works financed in whole or in part by state appropriation, such
contracts shall include the following provisions:
"During the performance of this contract, the contractor agrees as follows:
1. The contractor will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, sex,
sexual orientation or national origin. The contractor will take positive steps to ensure that applicants are employed and
that employees are treated during employment without regard to their race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation or national
origin. Such action shall include, but not be limited to, the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer; recruitment
or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training,
including apprenticeship. The contractor agrees to post in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment
notices to be provided by the contracting agency setting forth this nondiscrimination clause.
2. The contractor will, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the contractor, state
that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, sex, sexual
orientation or national origin.
b. The Secretary of the Department of Labor shall be responsible for the administration of this provision and shall adopt
such rules and regulations and issue such orders as deemed necessary to achieve the purposes thereof; provided, that no requirement
established hereby shall be in conflict with § 6904 of this title.
(8) Bid bonding requirements. --
a. All bids shall be accompanied by a deposit of either a good and sufficient bond to the agency for the benefit of the agency,
with corporate surety authorized to do business in this State, the form of the bond and the surety to be approved by the agency,
and the bond form used shall be the standard form issued by the Office of Management and Budget for this purpose or a security
of the bidder assigned to the agency, for a sum equal to at least 10% of the bid. The bid bond need not be for a specific
sum, but may be stated to be for a sum equal to 10% of the bid to which it relates and not to exceed a certain stated sum,
if said sum is equal to at least 10% of the bid. Any bid which, at the time it is submitted, is not accompanied by a bid bond
or sufficient security as required by this paragraph shall not be opened or read, and shall be rejected.
b. Upon the execution of a formal contract and performance bond, the bid bond or security shall be returned to the successful
bidder. The security of the unsuccessful bidders shall be returned to them immediately upon the awarding of the contract or
the rejection of all bids, but in no event later than 30 days after the opening of bids with the exception of school districts
and the Department of Public Instruction, which shall be no more than 60 days unless the contracting agency or school district
extends the bid evaluation period by 5 working days per the requirements of paragraph (d)(13)a. of this section. If the bid
evaluation period is extended by 5 working days, then the security of each unsuccessful bidder shall be returned to them on
the first working day after the end of the extended bid evaluation period.
c. Loss of bid bond as damages. -- In the event of any successful bidder refusing or neglecting to execute a formal contract
and bond within 20 days of the awarding of the contract, the bid bond or security deposited by the successful bidder shall
be taken and become the absolute property of the State for the benefit of the agency as liquidated damages. Such damages shall
neither constitute a forfeiture nor a penalty and shall be deposited with the Secretary of Finance. Such monies pertaining
to Department of Transportation contracts shall be deposited in the Transportation Trust Fund. The contracting agency may
award the contract to the next lowest responsible bidder or re-advertise for new bids.
d. In the case of bids submitted to agencies other than any county of this State and other than any public school district,
wherever security is required under this section, the vendor shall also supply with its bid its taxpayer identification number
(i.e., federal employer identification number or social security number) or a Delaware business license number and, should
the vendor be awarded a contract, such vendor shall provide to the agency the taxpayer identification or Delaware business
license numbers of such subcontractors. Such numbers shall be provided on the later of the date on which such subcontractor
is required to be identified or the time the contract is executed. The agency shall report to the Division of Revenue each
vendor selected for award within 15 days of execution of the contract and each subcontractor within 15 days of such contractor
having been identified to the agency or on the date of execution of the contract, whichever is later, unless the Director
of the Division of Revenue has notified the agency of criteria according to which, in the Director's discretion, reporting
is not required and the contract meets such criteria.
(9) Performance bonding requirements. --
a. Simultaneous with the execution of the formal contract, the successful bidder shall also execute a good and sufficient
bond to the contracting agency for the benefit of the agency, with corporate surety authorized to do business in this State,
in a sum equal to 100% of the contract price and the bond form used shall be the standard form issued by the Office of Management
and Budget.
b. The bond shall be conditioned upon the faithful compliance and performance by the successful bidder of each and every term
and condition of the contract and the proposal and plans and specifications thereof, at the time and in the manner prescribed
by the contract and the plans and specifications, including the payment in full, to every firm furnishing materiel or performing
labor in the performance of the contract, of all sums of money due it for such labor or materiel. The bond shall also contain
the successful bidder's guarantee to indemnify and save harmless the agency from all costs, damages and expenses growing out
of or by reason of the successful bidder's failure to comply and perform the work and complete the contract in accordance
with the contract.
c. The agency may, when it considers that the interests of the agency so require, cause judgment to be confessed upon the
bond. All sums received through confession of judgment shall be paid for the credit of the agency to the Secretary of Finance
or to the chief financial officer of the agency if it is not a state agency.
d. Every firm furnishing materiel or performing labor under the contract for which the successful bidder is liable may maintain
an action on the bond for its own use in the name of the agency in any court of competent jurisdiction for the recovery of
such sum or sums as may be due such firm from the successful bidder, but if the bond so provides, no suit shall be commenced
after the expiration of 1 year following the date on which the successful bidder ceased work on the contract. Otherwise, suits
may be commenced at any time within 3 years following the date the last work was done on the contract.
e. No firm or surety, in any action brought under this section, or on the bond required by this section, shall assert as a
defense to such action the claim that the bond given pursuant to this section contained a limitation or restriction not provided
for by this section.
f. In the event of defaults of its contracts, the money collected on the performance bonds shall be utilized by the contracting
agency for the projects for which the performance bonds were issued. All performance bond proceeds received shall be deposited
with the Secretary of Finance for the credit of the agency. Such monies pertaining to Department of Transportation contracts
shall be deposited in the Transportation Trust Fund.
g. In addition to the bond, letter of credit or other financial security posted by the successful bidder in conjunction with
the execution of the formal contract, each successful bidder, regardless of the type of the security posted or waived, as
the case may be, must purchase adequate insurance for the performance of the contract and, by submission of a bid, does agree
to indemnify and save harmless and to defend all legal or equitable actions brought against the agency or officer or employee
of the agency for and from all claims of liability which is or may be the result of the successful bidder's actions during
the performance of the contract. The purchase or nonpurchase of such insurance or the involvement of the successful bidder
in any legal or equitable defense of any action brought against the successful bidder based upon work performed pursuant to
the contract shall not waive any defense which the agency and its officers and employees might otherwise have to such claims,
specifically including the defense of sovereign immunity, where applicable, and by the terms of this section, the agency and
its officers and employees shall not be financially responsible for the consequences of work performed, pursuant to said contract.
h. Contracts may contain a waiver of the bond requirement; provided however, that the successful bidder post with the contracting
agency an irrevocable letter of credit or other suitable or readily collectible financial security for the project. Such security
shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the contracting agency.
(10) Public buildings; special requirements. --
a. Pre-bid meeting requirement. -- In the case of any public works contract for the construction, reconstruction, alteration
or repair of any public building (not a road, street or highway) the agency shall call a meeting of all prospective bidders
upon reasonable notice and at a place and time stated in the notice. The meeting shall be at least 15 days before the date
for the submission of bids.
At the meeting, all the participants, including the agency, shall attempt to agree upon a listing of all subcontractor categories
to be included in the bids for performing the work as required by paragraph (10)b. of this subsection and any such agreed
listing shall be final and binding upon all bidders and upon the agency. If all of the participants do not agree on such a
listing at the meeting, then the agency itself, at least 10 days before the due date for the submission of bids, shall determine
the subcontractor categories to be included in the listing. The listing, whether agreed to by all of the participants at the
meeting or determined by the agency itself in the absence of the unanimous agreement of the participants at the meeting, shall
be published by the agency at least 10 days before the due date for the submission of bids by mailing and listing to all of
the participants at the meeting. The listing, as so published, shall be final and binding upon all bidders and the agency
and it shall be filled out completely, in full, without any abbreviations. If the agency required prequalification of subcontractors
pursuant to this section in its invitation to bid, no contractor shall list a subcontractor in its subcontractor listing required
by this subsection who has not already been prequalified by the agency.
b. Subcontracting requirements. -- All contracts for the construction, reconstruction, alteration or repair of any public
building (not a road, street or highway) shall be subject to the following provisions:
1. Such contract shall be awarded only to a bidder whose bid is accompanied by a statement containing, for each subcontractor
category set forth in the listing as provided in paragraph (10)a. of this subsection the name and address (city or town and
State only -- street number and P.O. Box addresses not required) of the subcontractor whose services the bidder intends to
use in performing the work and providing the materiel for such subcontractor category. Where any services and/or materiel
are to be provided by or through a third tier contractor, the bidder shall also supply the name and address of the third tier
contractor. If a bidder intends to perform the work or provide the materiel for any subcontractor category specifically established
by the agency and as set forth in the listing provided for in paragraph (10)a. of this subsection, the bidder must list itself
as the subcontractor for that category. If at the time it is submitted a bid is not accompanied by the subcontractor statement
required by this subparagraph, or if a bidder fails to list itself as the subcontractor for any category for which it intends
to perform the work or provide the materiel, the bid shall not be opened or read, and shall be rejected.
2. The contracting agency shall neither accept any bid nor award any contract to any bidder which, as the prime contractor,
has listed itself as the subcontractor for any subcontractor category on the listing as provided in paragraph (10)a. of this
subsection, unless:
A. It has been established to the satisfaction of the awarding agency that the bidder has customarily performed the specialty
work of such subcontractor category by artisans regularly employed by the bidder's firm;
B. That the bidder is duly licensed by the State to engage in such specialty work, if the State requires such licenses; and
C. That the bidder is recognized in the industry as a bona fide subcontractor or contractor in such specialty work and subcontractor
category.
The typical subcontractor categories involving specialty work includes, by way of illustration and not limited to, plumbing,
electrical wiring, heating, roofing, insulating, weather stripping, masonry, bricklaying and plastering. The decision of the
awarding agency as to whether a bidder who lists itself as the subcontractor for a subcontractor category set forth in the
listing as provided in paragraph (10)a. of this subsection shall be final and binding upon all bidders, and no action of any
nature shall lie against any awarding agency or its employees or officers because of its decision in this regard.
3. After such a contract has been awarded, the successful bidder shall not substitute another subcontractor for any subcontractor
whose name was set forth in the statement which accompanied the bid without the written consent of the awarding agency. No
agency shall consent to any substitution of subcontractors unless the agency is satisfied that the subcontractor whose name
is on the bidders accompanying statement:
A. Is unqualified to perform the work required;
B. Has failed to execute a timely reasonable subcontract;
C. Has defaulted in the performance on the portion of the work covered by the subcontract; or
D. Is no longer engaged in such business.
4. All such contracts shall contain a provision for a penalty against the successful bidder for its failure to utilize any
or all the subcontractors in the successful bidder's accompanying statement in the performance of the work on the public building
contemplated by the contract. The penalty amount shall be set by the agency. The agency will also determine if the amount
is to be deducted from payments to the bidder for contract performance or if the amount is to be paid directly to the agency
by the bidder. Any penalty amount assessed against the contractor may be remitted or refunded, in whole or in part, by the
agency awarding the contract, only if it is established to the satisfaction of the agency that the subcontractor in question
has defaulted or is no longer engaged in such business. No claim for the remission or refund of any penalty shall be granted
under this section unless an application is filed within 1 year after the liability of the successful bidder accrues. All
penalty amounts assessed and not refunded or remitted to the contractor shall be reverted to the State, municipality or other
agency as the case may be.
5. If awarded, not to a general contractor, but to a prime contractor which contracts directly with agency awarding and/or
administering the contract, such contract may include a provision in its contract specifications that the successful bidder
perform a fixed percentage of the work of said public works contract up to 50% of the total contract bid. Factors to be considered
by the agency awarding the contract in setting the required percentage of amount of work the successful bidder must perform
may include the degree of difficulty involved in the agency's administration of the work covered under the terms of the public
works contract; the degree of specialty work contemplated in the contract including, but not limited to, the amount of plumbing,
electrical wiring, heating, roofing, insulation, weather-stripping, masonry, bricklaying or plastering work under the contract;
and the time period required in which to complete the public works project. The terms of the contract shall so specify reasons
for the stated percentage in its general terms and conditions. The decision of the agency setting the required percentage
shall not be set aside by any court of competent jurisdiction as long as there is a rational basis for setting the required
fixed percentage to be performed by the contractor. If the successful bidder fails to perform pursuant to the terms of this
provision, the agency awarding and/or administering the contract may invoke the provisions of § 6964 of this title.
6. No construction manager contract for public school projects may be signed unless approved by the Director.
(11) Other contracting requirements. --
a. Asbestos abatement. -- The selection of any contractor to perform asbestos abatement for State-funded projects shall be
approved by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to Chapter 78 of Title 16.
b. Standards of construction; protection of physically handicapped. -- All contracts shall conform with the standards established
by the Delaware Architectural Accessibility Board as authorized by Chapter 73 of this title, unless otherwise exempted by
the Board.
(12) Public bid opening requirements. --
a. Bids shall be opened publicly and the contractor and total bid price or the contractor, base bid, and alternate price should
be read aloud at the time and place designated in the plans and specifications.
b. Bids shall be unconditionally accepted without alteration. After the bid opening, no corrections in bid prices or other
provisions of bids prejudicial to the interests of the State or fair competition shall be permitted.
(13) Bid evaluation, contract award and execution procedure. --
a. The contracting agency shall award any public works contract within 30 days of the bid opening to the lowest responsive
and responsible bidder, unless the agency elects to award on the basis of best value, in which case the election to award
on the basis of best value shall be stated in the invitation to bid. Any public school district and its board shall award
public works contracts in accordance with this section's requirements except it shall award the contract within 60 days of
the bid opening. A contracting agency shall extend the 30-day bid evaluation period by a total of 5 working days and a school
district shall extend the 60-day bid evaluation period by a total of 5 working days if a bid is nonresponsive or a bidder
is judged to be not responsible, and the bidder cannot be notified in writing a minimum of 5 days prior to the end of the
30-day bid evaluation period in the case of an agency, or the 60-day bid evaluation period in the case of a school district.
Written notification to the bidder or bidders whose bid is non-responsive or who have been determined to be not responsible
shall be received at least 5 working days prior to the end of the original or the extended evaluation period and shall specify
the reason(s) why the bid is nonresponsive or the bidder determined to be not responsible. If the bid evaluation period is
extended by 5 working days, the contracting agency or school district shall notify each bidder in writing prior to the end
of the 30-day bid evaluation period in the case of an agency, or the 60-day bid evaluation period in the case of a school
district, that the bid evaluation period is being extended by 5 working days. The written notification to all bidders shall
include the calendar date by which the agency or school district shall award a contract or reject all bids.
Each bid on any public works contract must be deemed responsive by the agency to be considered for award. A responsive bid
shall conform in all material respects to the requirements and criteria set forth in the contract plans and specifications.
An agency shall determine that each bidder on any public works contract is responsible before awarding the contract. Factors
to be considered in determining the responsibility of a bidder include:
1. The bidder's financial, physical, personnel or other resources including subcontracts;
2. The bidder's record of performance on past public or private construction projects, including, but not limited to, defaults
and/or final adjudication or admission of violations of prevailing wage laws in Delaware or any other state;
3. The bidder's written safety plan;
4. Whether the bidder is qualified legally to contract with the State;
5. Whether the bidder supplied all necessary information concerning its responsibility; and,
6. Any other specific criteria for a particular procurement, which an agency may establish; provided however, that, the criteria
shall be set forth in the invitation to bid and is otherwise in conformity with State and/or federal law.
If an agency determines that a bidder is nonresponsive and/or nonresponsible, the determination shall be in writing and set
forth the basis for the determination. A copy of the determination shall be sent to the affected bidder within 5 working days
of said determination. The final determination shall be made part of the procurement file.
If the agency elects to award on the basis of best value, the agency must determine that the successful bidder is responsive
and responsible, as defined in this subsection. The determination of best value shall be based upon objective criteria that
have been communicated to the bidders in the invitation to bid. The following objective criteria shall be assigned a weight
consistent with the following:
(1) Price -- must be at least 70% but no more than 90%; and
(2) Schedule -- must be at least 10% but no more than 30%; and
A weighted average stated in the invitation to bid shall be applied to each criterion according to its importance to each
project. The agency shall rank the bidder according to the established criteria and award to the highest ranked bidder. Every
state agency and school district shall, on a yearly basis, file a report with every member of the General Assembly and the
Governor that states which projects were bid under best value and what contractor was awarded each contract.
b. A contract may be awarded to a bidder other than the lowest responsible and responsive bidde
Budget, Fiscal, Procurement and Contracting Regulations
CHAPTER 69. STATE PROCUREMENT
Subchapter IV. Public Works Contracting
§ 6960. Prevailing wage requirements.
(a) The specifications for every contract or aggregate of contracts relating to a public works project in excess of $100,000
for new construction (including painting and decorating) or $15,000 for alteration, repair, renovation, rehabilitation, demolition
or reconstruction (including painting and decorating of buildings or works) to which this State or any subdivision thereof
is a party and for which the State appropriated any part of the funds and which requires or involves the employment of mechanics
and/or laborers shall contain a provision stating the minimum wages to be paid various classes of laborers and mechanics which
shall be based upon the wages that will be determined by the Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Industrial Affairs,
to be prevailing in the county in which the work is to be performed. The Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Industrial
Affairs shall establish the prevailing wage for each respective craft or class of laborers and mechanics at the same rates
established in collective bargaining agreements between labor organizations and their employers that govern work of a similar
nature and similar crafts or classes of laborers and mechanics for the county where the public works contract will be performed
if that particular labor organization's collective bargaining rate prevailed and they participated in the survey, for that
particular trade or craft in that particular county for 2 consecutive years. The agreed rate of pay designated by the craft's
collective bargaining agreement will become the prevailing wage for a period of 5 years and the raise be determined by the
collective bargaining agreement rate at the time the prevailing wage survey is conducted for that craft, county, and year.
If the prevailing wage cannot be reasonably and fairly determined in any locality because no such agreements exists or the
collective bargaining rate has not prevailed for 2 consecutive years the Department shall use the prevailing wage as established
by the Department's annual prevailing wage survey. There will be a 1-time challenge of the prevailing wage rate per cycle
as in the Department regulations. All other provisions of this law are to remain unchanged.
(b) Every contract based upon these specifications shall contain a stipulation that the employer shall pay all mechanics and
laborers employed directly upon the site of the work, unconditionally and not less often than once a week and without subsequent
deduction or rebate on any account, the full amounts accrued at time of payment, computed at wage rates not less than those
stated in the specifications, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the employer
and such laborers and mechanics. The specifications shall further stipulate that the scale of wages to be paid shall be posted
by the employer in a prominent and easily accessible place at the site of the work, and that there may be withheld from the
employer so much of accrued payments as may be considered necessary by the Department of Labor to pay to laborers and mechanics
employed by the employer the difference between the rates of wages required by the contract to be paid laborers and mechanics
on the work and rates of wages received by such laborers and mechanics to be remitted to the Department of Labor for distribution
upon resolution of any claims.
(c) Every contract based upon these specifications shall contain a stipulation that sworn payroll information, as required
by the Department of Labor, be furnished weekly. The Department of Labor shall keep and maintain the sworn payroll information
for a period of 6 months from the last day of the work week covered by the payroll.
(d) The Department of Labor shall investigate all claims that the prevailing wage rates as provided for under this section
are not being or have not been paid. Upon finding that an employer has not paid or is not paying the prevailing wage rates,
the Department of Labor shall notify the employer of the violations by certified mail and make an effort to obtain compliance.
Upon failure to obtain compliance within 15 days of receipt of said certified mail, the Secretary may terminate all rights
of the employer to proceed with the work under the public construction contract, and the employer shall be responsible for
all damages resulting therefrom.
(e) Any employer who knowingly fails or refuses to pay the prevailing wage rates provided for under this section, or who fails
to submit payroll reports or post notice of the wage rates which apply to the project shall, for each such violation, be subject
to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 for each violation. No public construction contract in this
State shall be bid on, awarded to or received by any contractor or subcontractor or any person, firm, partnership or corporation
in which such employer has an interest who, within 2 years after entry of a judgment pursuant to this chapter, is adjudicated
in violation of this chapter in a subsequent proceeding until 3 years have elapsed from the date of the subsequent penalty
judgment. A civil penalty claim may be filed in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(f) Any laborer or mechanic employed by any employer, or the Department of Labor on behalf of any laborer or mechanic employed
by any employer, who is paid in a sum less than the prevailing wage rates provided for under this section shall have a right
of action against the employer in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover treble the difference between the amount
so paid and the prevailing wage rate. Such action may be brought by the Department of Labor in the name and for the benefit
of the laborer or mechanic with or without an assignment of the claim from the employee and upon notice to the aggrieved employee,
the Department of Labor shall have the power to settle and adjust any such claim to the same extent as would the aggrieved
employee. It shall not be a defense to such action that the underpayment was received by the laborer or mechanic without protest.
Upon the filing of an action under this section, the employer shall post suitable bond approved by the court for the damages
which may be recoverable thereunder. Any judgment entered for plaintiff shall include an award for reasonable attorney's
fees and costs of prosecution. The Department of Labor shall not be required to pay the filing fee or other costs of the action
or fees of any nature to file bond or other security of any nature in connection with such action or with proceedings supplementary
thereto or as a condition precedent to the availability to the Department of any process in aid of such action or proceedings.
The Department shall have the authority to join various claimants in 1 preferred claim lien and, in case of suit, to join
them in 1 cause of action.
(g) Any wages collected under this chapter, but not claimed by the employee within 1 year from the date of collection, shall
be retained by the Department of Labor for enforcement purposes.
(h) No action to recover wages and damages under this section shall be brought after the expiration of 2 years from the accruing
of the cause of action.
(i) Whenever any person shall contract with another for the performance of any work which the contracting person has undertaken
to perform, he or she shall become civilly liable to employees engaged in the performance of work under such contract for
the payment of wages, exclusive of treble damages, as required under this section, whenever and to the extent that the employer
of such employees fails to pay such wages, and the employer of such employees shall be liable to such person for any wages
paid by the employer under this section. If pursuant to this subsection a person becomes civilly liable to employees of another,
such liability shall not constitute a violation of this section for purposes of the termination, civil penalty and debarment
provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of this section.
(j) A contract manager shall be responsible for monitoring compliance with this section, but shall not become civilly liable
to the same extent as the contracting person. For purposes of this section, "contract manager" means any person who performs
the function of the contracting person without becoming a party to the contract of performance, but rather contracts with
the recipient of the goods or services to act as his/her agent. A contract manager who knowingly fails or refuses to monitor
compliance with this section shall, for each such failure or refusal, be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $100
nor more than $500. A civil penalty claim under this subsection may be filed in any court of competent jurisdiction. A contract
manager's liability for a civil penalty pursuant to this subsection shall not constitute a violation of this section for purposes
of the termination, civil penalty and debarment provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of this section.
(k) Any employer who discharges or in any manner discriminates against an employee because that employee has made a complaint
or has given information to the Department pursuant to this chapter, or because that employee has caused to be instituted
or is about to cause to be instituted any proceedings under this chapter, or has testified or is about to testify in any such
proceedings, shall be deemed in violation of this chapter and shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000
nor more than $5,000 for each violation.
(l) A Prevailing Wage Advisory Council is hereby established to assist the Department in carrying out its duties under the
prevailing wage law. Such advisory council shall be appointed by the Secretary of Labor, shall be convened by the Director
of the Division of Industrial Affairs (who shall serve as a non-voting member) and shall consist of 10 representatives from
construction industry organizations/associations. The members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years provided, however,
that the initial members may be appointed to terms shorter than 3 years but not less than 1 year to ensure staggered term
expirations. The members shall receive no compensation.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 6913; 53 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 57 Del. Laws, c. 454, § 17; 58 Del. Laws, c. 408; 63 Del. Laws, c. 80, § 69; 65 Del. Laws, c. 368, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 260, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 64, § 28; 69 Del. Laws, c. 295, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 99, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 601, §§ 6, 8; 71 Del. Laws, c. 310, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 312, § 1; 72 Del. Laws, c. 170, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 129, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 279, §§ 1, 3; 76 Del. Laws, c. 185, § 1.;
§ 6961. Small public works contract procedures.
(a) Applicability. -- Any state contract for which an agency is a party and for which the probable cost is less than or equal
to the threshold amount(s) set by the Contracting and Purchasing Advisory Council pursuant to § 6913 of this title for small
public works contracts shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
(b) Procedure. -- All contracts entered into pursuant to this section shall follow the procedures as prescribed by the Director
pursuant to § 6922 of this title.
(c) Bid and performance bonds as authorized in § 6962 of this title may be made a requirement by the agency for contracts
made pursuant to this section.
70 Del. Laws, c. 601, § 9; 75 Del. Laws, c. 88, § 16(5).;
§ 6962. Large public works contract procedures.
(a) Applicability. -- Any state contract for which an agency is a party and for which the probable cost is greater than the
amount set by the Contracting and Purchasing Advisory Council pursuant to § 6913 of this title for small public works contracts
shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
(b) Advertising requirements. -- Each agency shall publicly announce, not less than once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in
a newspaper published or circulated in each county of the State, each public works contract. Any agency may also maintain
a register of prospective bidders which may be used to provide direct notification of contracts to be bid. This register shall
not be used in a manner which will limit the competitiveness of the bidding process described in this subchapter. No agency
shall be subject to a cause of action or be otherwise liable for any errors or omissions in administering a bid registry.
The public announcement shall also state the nature of the contract under the following conditions:
(1) If the agency requires all bidders to be registered or prequalified in order to receive bidding documents for the proposed
contract, the announcement shall state in general terms the character and location of the work and bid and performance bond
requirements. If the agency requires prequalification of subcontractors in its invitation to bid, no contractor shall list
a subcontractor in its subcontractor listing who has not already been prequalified by the agency.
(2) If the agency does not require bidder registration or prequalification for the proposed contract, the announcement shall
state with reasonable accuracy the character, quantity and location of the work as well as bid and performance bond requirements.
The public announcement shall also state that the agency may extend the time and place for the opening of bids from that described
in the announcement. Such extension shall not take place unless at least 2 calendar days' notice, by certified delivery, facsimile
transmission or by other verifiable electronic means, is sent to those bidders who obtained copies of the plans and specifications
or contract descriptions.
(c) Bidder prequalification requirements. --
(1) The Office shall establish a 2-step process for the prequalification of contractors and subcontractors that desire to
bid on large public works contracts for which prequalification is specified by the contracting agency. A contractor shall
not be permitted to bid on a contract that requires prequalification unless the contractor has been prequalified pursuant
to this subsection. A prequalified and classified contractor shall not be permitted to submit a bid on a specific contract
unless the contractor completes a questionnaire and submits supplemental information at the option of the contracting agency
or per paragraph (c)(9)a. of this section to the Office pertaining to that contract. The supplemental request for information
shall not include any information requested during the first step of the prequalification process, but may require the contractor
to affirm that no material changes have occurred since the application for the first step of the prequalification process
was submitted to the Office. The prequalification process shall apply to general contractors and subcontractors in the areas
that are deemed necessary by the Office.
(2) The prequalification classification issued by the Office as part 1 of the prequalification process shall be valid for
12 months. A contractor or subcontractor subject to prequalification shall request to be reclassified by the Office after
the 12-month period in order to remain eligible to bid on public works contracts that require prequalification. A contractor
or subcontractor who holds a valid prequalification classification shall report any material changes which could adversely
affect the prequalification, as established in paragraph (3) of this subsection, to the Office in writing within 10 days of
the material change. A contractor or subcontractor may report to the Office in writing material changes which could positively
affect the prequalification, as established in paragraph (3) of this subsection. Based on the information provided, the Office
may change the classification or revoke prequalification at the sole discretion of the Director.
(3) The prequalification process shall include a requirement that the contractor or subcontractor submit a statement under
oath on a form designated by the Office. The form shall fully describe and establish the financial ability, responsibility,
plant and equipment, organization, ownership, relationships, and prior experience of the contractor or subcontractor and any
other pertinent and material facts as may be deemed necessary by the Office. At the discretion of the Office, the submission
shall include part or all of the following:
a. The most recent audited financial statement and/or financial statement review containing a complete statement of the proposing
contractor's or subcontractor's financial status. Such statement shall include the contractor's Z score;
b. The proposing contractor's or subcontractor's experience on other public works or private sector projects, including but
not limited to the size, complexity and scope of the firm's prior projects;
c. Performance reviews of the proposing contractor or subcontractor on previously awarded public works or private sector construction
projects within the last 10 years;
d. Civil judgments and/or criminal history of the proposing contractor's or subcontractor's principals;
e. Any debarment or suspension by any government agency;
f. Any revocation or suspension of a license;
g. Any bankruptcy filings or proceedings; and
h. A statement as to organization, which shall demonstrate the adequacy of such organization to undertake a public works contract.
This statement shall include the resumes of the management and professional staff.
(4) After the receipt of the submission provided for in paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Office may verify all information
provided in the contractor's or subcontractor's submission, including applicable license and certificate requirements, federal
or state debarments, and violations of law. The Office may also conduct inquiries or surveys of the contractor's or subcontractor's
prior customers.
(5)a. Based upon the submission provided for in paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection, the Office Review Committee, which
shall include at least 2 Office employees, shall assign a contractor or subcontractor the following classification(s) and
limits for the purpose of determining the types of projects for which a contractor or subcontractor is entitled to bid:
1. A trade(s) or work classification(s); and
2. The maximum contract dollar value for which the contractor or subcontractor may submit a bid.
To effectuate these requirements of the prequalification process, the Office shall develop rules and regulations for assigning
classifications and maximum dollar limits.
b. The classification shall be made, or prequalification may be denied, and notice thereof shall be sent to the contractor
or subcontractor within 5 days of the determination made pursuant to subparagraph a. of this paragraph by registered or certified
mail or other legally valid methods. Notice of prequalification classification or denial shall also be sent to the contracting
agency if said agency is not the Office.
(6) Based upon the proposing contractor's or subcontractor's answers to the step-1 or step-2 prequalification questionnaire,
the Office may deny prequalification for any one of the following specified reasons:
a. Insufficient financial ability to perform a public works contract;
b. Inadequate experience to undertake a public works contract;
c. Documented failure to perform on prior public or private construction contracts, including but not limited to final adjudication
or admission of violations of prevailing wage laws in Delaware or any other state;
d. Prior judgments for breach of contract that indicate the proposing contractor or subcontractor may not be capable of performing
the work or completing a large public works contract;
e. Criminal convictions for fraud, misrepresentation or theft relating to contract procurement;
f. Previous debarment or suspension of the contractor or subcontractor by any government agency that indicates the proposing
contractor or subcontractor may not be capable of performing the work or completing a large public works contract;
g. Previous revocation or suspension of a license that indicates the proposing contractor or subcontractor may not be capable
of performing the work or completing a public works contract;
h. Previous bankruptcy proceedings that indicate the proposing contractor or subcontractor may not be capable of performing
the work or completing a public works contract; or
i. Failure to provide accurate prequalification information on past or current prequalification questionnaires.
Reason or reasons for the denial of prequalification shall be in writing, and shall be sent to the contractor or subcontractor
within 5 working days of such decision. An agency may refuse to provide any contractor or subcontractor disqualified under
this paragraph plans and specifications for a contract. An agency receiving a bid from a contractor or subcontractor disqualified
under this paragraph shall not consider such bid.
(7) Any contractor or subcontractor disqualified pursuant to paragraph (6) of this subsection may request a review of such
decisions with the Director within 5 working days of the receipt of the agency's notification of the prequalification decision.
Such request shall be made in writing. No action in law or equity shall lie against any agency or its employees if the contractor
or subcontractor does not first review the decision with the Director. To the extent the contractor or subcontractor brings
an action challenging a decision made pursuant to paragraph (6) of this subsection after such review by the Director, the
court shall afford great weight to the decision of the Office head and shall not overturn such decision unless the contractor
or subcontractor proves by clear and convincing evidence that such decision was arbitrary and capricious.
(8) The Office shall maintain a registry of all contractors and subcontractors prequalified to bid on public works projects.
The registry shall include the classification(s) of the contractor or subcontractor and the maximum contract dollar value
for which the contractor or subcontractor may submit a bid.
(9)a. In addition to the prequalification required herein, any agency shall require a contractor or subcontractor to provide
supplemental information that is specifically relevant to the public works contract to be bid. Such additional information
shall be considered supplemental certification and shall not duplicate in any way the information required by the Office in
its prequalification process except for labor supply available to complete the project in a timely manner.
b. Based upon the proposing contractor's or subcontractor's answers to the agency's supplemental prequalification questionnaire,
the Director, or in the case of school projects, the school district may deny the prequalification for any one of the following
specified reasons:
1. Inadequate experience to undertake the specific project that requires supplemental prequalification;
2. Inadequate expertise to undertake the specific project that requires supplemental prequalification;
3. Failure to provide supplemental prequalification information for the specific project that requires supplemental prequalification;
or
4. Inadequate labor supply available to complete the project in a timely manner.
Denial of supplemental prequalification by the Office, or in the case of school projects, the school district shall be in
writing no later than 2 weeks before the close of the project bid and shall be sent to the contractor or subcontractor within
5 working days of such decision. An agency may refuse to provide any contractor or subcontractor disqualified under this paragraph
plans and specifications for the contract. An agency receiving a bid from a contractor or subcontractor disqualified under
this paragraph shall not consider such bid.
(10) Any contractor or subcontractor disqualified pursuant to paragraph (9) of this subsection may request in writing within
5 working days of the receipt of the Office's or, in the case of school projects, the school district's, supplemental prequalification
a review of such decisions with the Director or the Director's designee or, in the case of school projects, the school district.
No action in law or equity shall lie against any agency or its employees if the contractor or subcontractor does not first
review the decision with the Director or, in the case of school projects, the school district within 5 working days after
the decision is rendered by the Office or, in the case of school projects, the school district. To the extent the contractor
or subcontractor brings an action challenging a decision made pursuant to paragraph (9) of this subsection after such review
by the Director or, in the case of school projects, the school district, the court shall afford great weight to the decision
of the Director or, in the case of school projects, the school district and shall not overturn such decision unless the contractor
or subcontractor proves by clear and convincing evidence that such decision was "arbitrary and capricious."
(11) In addition, for the US 301 project from the Maryland-Delaware state line to its termination at Delaware Route 1, all
contractors and subcontractors are required, independently or through agreement with other organizations, to provide craft
training for journeyman and apprentice levels through a bona fide program approved by and registered with the State of Delaware
and/or United States Department of Labor.
(d) Bid specifications and plans requirements. --
(1) Preparation of plans and specifications and approvals. -- The contracting agency shall cause suitable plans and specifications
to be prepared for all contracts pursuant to this section. All plans and specifications shall be prepared by registered and
licensed architects and/or engineers who shall sign the plans and specifications and affix their seals thereto. This requirement
may be waived if:
a. The work to be covered by the public works contract is to be performed in accordance with identical plans and specifications
similarly signed and sealed pursuant to which previous public works contracts have been awarded under this subchapter. Any
architect and/or engineer who signed and sealed the original of such identical plan(s) will have no liability arising from
the use of those plans other than the use contemplated by the contract pursuant to which the original copies of such plans
was created, unless such architect and/or engineer reviews and approves such different use; or
b. The project does not require architectural and engineering services and the agency head waives in writing the use of such
services.
(2) Agency assistance. -- An agency may retain, in accordance with subchapter V of this chapter, the professional services
of a general contractor or other qualified firm to assist in cost estimation, economic design analysis and construction.
(3) Prohibition of brand specification. -- The description of work and/or materiel and the plans and specifications shall
not use a brand or trade name, except as an indication of the type or quality of materiel and in all such limited cases shall
contain the words "or approved equal."
(4) Special provisions. --
a. Anti-pollution, conservation, environmental measures or Energy Star equipment not covered by contract specifications. --
1. The description of the materiel and the plans and specifications for the work issued by the agency shall set forth those
provisions of federal, state and local statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations respecting anti-pollution, conservation
and environmental protection which affect the project or projects for which such solicitations or bids are sought.
2. If the successful bidder must undertake anti-pollution, conservation or environmental protection work not specified in
the agency's plans and specifications or descriptions of materiel, including measures required by the enactment of new or
the amendment of existing statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations occurring after the submission of the successful bid
or quotation, the awarding agency shall issue a change order, as provided for in § 6963 of this title, setting forth the additional
measures that must be undertaken.
3. Cost. -- The cost of such a change order to the awarding agency shall be determined in accordance with the contract for
change orders or force accounts. If no such provision is set forth in the contract, then the cost to the awarding agency shall
be the contractor's costs for wages, labor costs other than wages, wage taxes, materiel, equipment rentals, insurance and
subcontracts attributable to the additional activity plus a reasonable sum for overhead and profit.
4. Authorization. -- Written authorization by the agency is to be given to the successful bidder prior to the bidder undertaking
such additional activity. Costs incurred by the successful bidder for additional work performed without prior approval shall
not be approved for payment by the agency.
5. Energy Star equipment. -- Prior to finalizing specifications for equipment to be purchased as part of a large public works
contract, the agency or its architect and/or engineer shall review all equipment to determine whether Energy Star rated products
are available. For each piece of equipment, if an Energy Star product is available, the specifications and bid documents shall
require the use of an Energy Star product unless the agency can demonstrate, in writing, to the satisfaction of the Director,
that a product with an Energy Star rating meets at least one of the following criteria:
A. The Energy Star rated equipment is not available competitively,
B. The Energy Star rated equipment is not available within a reasonable time frame, or
C. The Energy Star rated equipment does not meet appropriate performance standards.
The agency may include non-Energy Star rated equipment as an alternate in the bid documents to enable lifecycle costing analysis
to be performed as part of the analysis of responsive bids. The agency shall be required to award a contract that includes
the procurement of Energy Star rated equipment unless the agency can demonstrate, in writing, to the satisfaction of the Director,
that the interests of the state would be better served by procuring non-Energy Star rated equipment.
b. Preference for Delaware labor. -- In the construction of all public works for the State or any political subdivision thereof
or by firms contracting with the State or any political subdivision thereof, preference in employment of laborers, workers
or mechanics shall be given to bona fide legal citizens of the State who have established citizenship by residence of at least
90 days in the State. Each public works contract for the construction of public works for the State or any political subdivision
thereof shall contain a stipulation that any person, company or corporation who violates this section shall pay a penalty
to the Secretary of Finance equal to the amount of compensation paid to any person in violation of this section.
(5) Retainages and substitution of securities. --
a. Authority to withhold contract retainage. --
1. Agencies may retain a portion of the payments to be made to a contractor for work performed pursuant to a public works
contract. The percentage of the value of work performed which may be retained shall be established for each particular contract
in the contract bidding documents and shall be incorporated into the contract. The percentage retained shall be 5% of the
value of the work completed by the contractor under the contract. Upon completion of the work under the contract, the agency
may release 60% of the amount then retained. The balance of the amount retained will be held until:
A. All reports required of the contract are received;
B. All subcontractors in trades listed on the bid form are paid by the contractor, unless the amount owed to the subcontractor
is disputed, in which case the agency may withhold 150% of the amount withheld by the contractor in its dispute with the subcontractor;
and
C. Final payment is authorized by the agency.
2. The agency may, at its option, retain, temporarily or permanently, a small amount and may cause the contractor to be paid,
temporarily or permanently, from time to time, such portion of the amount retained as it deems equitable. The contractor shall
be paid for all work that is due to the contractor under the contract except for the amount retained.
3. The agency may at the beginning of each public works contract establish a time schedule for the completion of the project.
If the project is delayed beyond the completion date due to the contractor's failure to meet his or her responsibilities,
the agency may forfeit all or part of retainage at its discretion.
b. Procedures requirement. -- Agencies shall establish standard procedures and regulations for the administration of contract
retainages prior to entering into contracts which require retainages. All agency procedures shall provide for contract retainage
and substitution of securities for retainage.
c. Substitution of securities. --
1. The contractor under a public works contract, with the approval of the agency, may deposit securities as authorized by
this section in substitution for monies being withheld from the contractor as retainage. Securities allowable for substitution
of retainage shall be: United States Treasury Bonds, United States Treasury Notes, United States Treasury Certificates of
Indebtedness or United States Treasury Bills; bonds or notes of the State; bonds of any political subdivision of the State;
or certificates of deposit from state or national banks located in this State; or any letter of credit or other security approved
by the agency.
2. The contractor shall have the right to withdraw and take all or portions of the monies being retained from the contractor
under the contract by depositing securities in substitution for such monies. The contractor may do so only in accordance with
the agency's standard procedures and mechanisms. Such substitution shall be approved by the agency only if the aggregate market
value of the securities are at least as great as the contract retainages being withdrawn.
3. A contractor may substitute cash for and receive back all or part of the securities on deposit from the contractor. The
cash must at least have the same value as the market value of the securities received back from the agency.
4. The contractor shall be entitled to receive, in all events, all interest and income earned on the securities deposited
by the contractor in substitution for contract retainage. If the securities deposited are in the form of coupon bonds, the
agency or the escrow agent designated by it and holding the deposited securities shall deliver each coupon to the contractor
as it matures.
5. All securities shall be released, delivered and paid over to the contractor at such time as cash monies being retained
from the contractor would have been released, delivered and paid over to the contractor under the public works contract if
there had been no substitution for the cash monies.
6. All costs of depositing and maintaining securities as provided for in this section shall be borne by the contractor.
7. No agency shall have any duty to invest monies being retained by it from a contractor under a public works contract in
any interest bearing account or to establish any procedures or mechanisms for any such investment.
8. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, any contracting agency may deny the contractor on any public works
contract permission to substitute securities for monies being held as retainages. This action shall be taken only for good
cause and when the agency deems it to be in the best interest of the contracting agency. Written notice shall be given to
the contractor and a hearing shall be held by the agency showing cause for such denial if requested in writing by the contractor.
Denial of such substitution shall be for a stated period of time, not to exceed a period of 3 years, and shall continue until
the end of the stated time period, or until the contractor has successfully completed all outstanding public works contracts
without forfeiting any part of the retainage held by the agency, whichever occurs first.
(6) Partial payments. -- Any public works contract executed by any agency may provide for partial payments with respect to
materials placed along or upon the sites or stored at secured locations, which are suitable for use in the performance of
the contract. When approved by the agency, partial payments may include the values of tested and acceptable materials of a
nonperishable or noncontaminative nature which have been produced or furnished for incorporation as a permanent part of work
yet to be completed, provided acceptable provisions have been made for storage. Any allowance made for materials on hand will
not exceed the delivered cost of the materials as verified by invoices furnished by the contractor, nor will it exceed the
contract bid price for the material complete in place.
(7) Equality of employment opportunity on public works. --
a. As a condition of the awarding of any contract for public works financed in whole or in part by state appropriation, such
contracts shall include the following provisions:
"During the performance of this contract, the contractor agrees as follows:
1. The contractor will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, sex,
sexual orientation or national origin. The contractor will take positive steps to ensure that applicants are employed and
that employees are treated during employment without regard to their race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation or national
origin. Such action shall include, but not be limited to, the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer; recruitment
or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training,
including apprenticeship. The contractor agrees to post in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment
notices to be provided by the contracting agency setting forth this nondiscrimination clause.
2. The contractor will, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the contractor, state
that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, sex, sexual
orientation or national origin.
b. The Secretary of the Department of Labor shall be responsible for the administration of this provision and shall adopt
such rules and regulations and issue such orders as deemed necessary to achieve the purposes thereof; provided, that no requirement
established hereby shall be in conflict with § 6904 of this title.
(8) Bid bonding requirements. --
a. All bids shall be accompanied by a deposit of either a good and sufficient bond to the agency for the benefit of the agency,
with corporate surety authorized to do business in this State, the form of the bond and the surety to be approved by the agency,
and the bond form used shall be the standard form issued by the Office of Management and Budget for this purpose or a security
of the bidder assigned to the agency, for a sum equal to at least 10% of the bid. The bid bond need not be for a specific
sum, but may be stated to be for a sum equal to 10% of the bid to which it relates and not to exceed a certain stated sum,
if said sum is equal to at least 10% of the bid. Any bid which, at the time it is submitted, is not accompanied by a bid bond
or sufficient security as required by this paragraph shall not be opened or read, and shall be rejected.
b. Upon the execution of a formal contract and performance bond, the bid bond or security shall be returned to the successful
bidder. The security of the unsuccessful bidders shall be returned to them immediately upon the awarding of the contract or
the rejection of all bids, but in no event later than 30 days after the opening of bids with the exception of school districts
and the Department of Public Instruction, which shall be no more than 60 days unless the contracting agency or school district
extends the bid evaluation period by 5 working days per the requirements of paragraph (d)(13)a. of this section. If the bid
evaluation period is extended by 5 working days, then the security of each unsuccessful bidder shall be returned to them on
the first working day after the end of the extended bid evaluation period.
c. Loss of bid bond as damages. -- In the event of any successful bidder refusing or neglecting to execute a formal contract
and bond within 20 days of the awarding of the contract, the bid bond or security deposited by the successful bidder shall
be taken and become the absolute property of the State for the benefit of the agency as liquidated damages. Such damages shall
neither constitute a forfeiture nor a penalty and shall be deposited with the Secretary of Finance. Such monies pertaining
to Department of Transportation contracts shall be deposited in the Transportation Trust Fund. The contracting agency may
award the contract to the next lowest responsible bidder or re-advertise for new bids.
d. In the case of bids submitted to agencies other than any county of this State and other than any public school district,
wherever security is required under this section, the vendor shall also supply with its bid its taxpayer identification number
(i.e., federal employer identification number or social security number) or a Delaware business license number and, should
the vendor be awarded a contract, such vendor shall provide to the agency the taxpayer identification or Delaware business
license numbers of such subcontractors. Such numbers shall be provided on the later of the date on which such subcontractor
is required to be identified or the time the contract is executed. The agency shall report to the Division of Revenue each
vendor selected for award within 15 days of execution of the contract and each subcontractor within 15 days of such contractor
having been identified to the agency or on the date of execution of the contract, whichever is later, unless the Director
of the Division of Revenue has notified the agency of criteria according to which, in the Director's discretion, reporting
is not required and the contract meets such criteria.
(9) Performance bonding requirements. --
a. Simultaneous with the execution of the formal contract, the successful bidder shall also execute a good and sufficient
bond to the contracting agency for the benefit of the agency, with corporate surety authorized to do business in this State,
in a sum equal to 100% of the contract price and the bond form used shall be the standard form issued by the Office of Management
and Budget.
b. The bond shall be conditioned upon the faithful compliance and performance by the successful bidder of each and every term
and condition of the contract and the proposal and plans and specifications thereof, at the time and in the manner prescribed
by the contract and the plans and specifications, including the payment in full, to every firm furnishing materiel or performing
labor in the performance of the contract, of all sums of money due it for such labor or materiel. The bond shall also contain
the successful bidder's guarantee to indemnify and save harmless the agency from all costs, damages and expenses growing out
of or by reason of the successful bidder's failure to comply and perform the work and complete the contract in accordance
with the contract.
c. The agency may, when it considers that the interests of the agency so require, cause judgment to be confessed upon the
bond. All sums received through confession of judgment shall be paid for the credit of the agency to the Secretary of Finance
or to the chief financial officer of the agency if it is not a state agency.
d. Every firm furnishing materiel or performing labor under the contract for which the successful bidder is liable may maintain
an action on the bond for its own use in the name of the agency in any court of competent jurisdiction for the recovery of
such sum or sums as may be due such firm from the successful bidder, but if the bond so provides, no suit shall be commenced
after the expiration of 1 year following the date on which the successful bidder ceased work on the contract. Otherwise, suits
may be commenced at any time within 3 years following the date the last work was done on the contract.
e. No firm or surety, in any action brought under this section, or on the bond required by this section, shall assert as a
defense to such action the claim that the bond given pursuant to this section contained a limitation or restriction not provided
for by this section.
f. In the event of defaults of its contracts, the money collected on the performance bonds shall be utilized by the contracting
agency for the projects for which the performance bonds were issued. All performance bond proceeds received shall be deposited
with the Secretary of Finance for the credit of the agency. Such monies pertaining to Department of Transportation contracts
shall be deposited in the Transportation Trust Fund.
g. In addition to the bond, letter of credit or other financial security posted by the successful bidder in conjunction with
the execution of the formal contract, each successful bidder, regardless of the type of the security posted or waived, as
the case may be, must purchase adequate insurance for the performance of the contract and, by submission of a bid, does agree
to indemnify and save harmless and to defend all legal or equitable actions brought against the agency or officer or employee
of the agency for and from all claims of liability which is or may be the result of the successful bidder's actions during
the performance of the contract. The purchase or nonpurchase of such insurance or the involvement of the successful bidder
in any legal or equitable defense of any action brought against the successful bidder based upon work performed pursuant to
the contract shall not waive any defense which the agency and its officers and employees might otherwise have to such claims,
specifically including the defense of sovereign immunity, where applicable, and by the terms of this section, the agency and
its officers and employees shall not be financially responsible for the consequences of work performed, pursuant to said contract.
h. Contracts may contain a waiver of the bond requirement; provided however, that the successful bidder post with the contracting
agency an irrevocable letter of credit or other suitable or readily collectible financial security for the project. Such security
shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the contracting agency.
(10) Public buildings; special requirements. --
a. Pre-bid meeting requirement. -- In the case of any public works contract for the construction, reconstruction, alteration
or repair of any public building (not a road, street or highway) the agency shall call a meeting of all prospective bidders
upon reasonable notice and at a place and time stated in the notice. The meeting shall be at least 15 days before the date
for the submission of bids.
At the meeting, all the participants, including the agency, shall attempt to agree upon a listing of all subcontractor categories
to be included in the bids for performing the work as required by paragraph (10)b. of this subsection and any such agreed
listing shall be final and binding upon all bidders and upon the agency. If all of the participants do not agree on such a
listing at the meeting, then the agency itself, at least 10 days before the due date for the submission of bids, shall determine
the subcontractor categories to be included in the listing. The listing, whether agreed to by all of the participants at the
meeting or determined by the agency itself in the absence of the unanimous agreement of the participants at the meeting, shall
be published by the agency at least 10 days before the due date for the submission of bids by mailing and listing to all of
the participants at the meeting. The listing, as so published, shall be final and binding upon all bidders and the agency
and it shall be filled out completely, in full, without any abbreviations. If the agency required prequalification of subcontractors
pursuant to this section in its invitation to bid, no contractor shall list a subcontractor in its subcontractor listing required
by this subsection who has not already been prequalified by the agency.
b. Subcontracting requirements. -- All contracts for the construction, reconstruction, alteration or repair of any public
building (not a road, street or highway) shall be subject to the following provisions:
1. Such contract shall be awarded only to a bidder whose bid is accompanied by a statement containing, for each subcontractor
category set forth in the listing as provided in paragraph (10)a. of this subsection the name and address (city or town and
State only -- street number and P.O. Box addresses not required) of the subcontractor whose services the bidder intends to
use in performing the work and providing the materiel for such subcontractor category. Where any services and/or materiel
are to be provided by or through a third tier contractor, the bidder shall also supply the name and address of the third tier
contractor. If a bidder intends to perform the work or provide the materiel for any subcontractor category specifically established
by the agency and as set forth in the listing provided for in paragraph (10)a. of this subsection, the bidder must list itself
as the subcontractor for that category. If at the time it is submitted a bid is not accompanied by the subcontractor statement
required by this subparagraph, or if a bidder fails to list itself as the subcontractor for any category for which it intends
to perform the work or provide the materiel, the bid shall not be opened or read, and shall be rejected.
2. The contracting agency shall neither accept any bid nor award any contract to any bidder which, as the prime contractor,
has listed itself as the subcontractor for any subcontractor category on the listing as provided in paragraph (10)a. of this
subsection, unless:
A. It has been established to the satisfaction of the awarding agency that the bidder has customarily performed the specialty
work of such subcontractor category by artisans regularly employed by the bidder's firm;
B. That the bidder is duly licensed by the State to engage in such specialty work, if the State requires such licenses; and
C. That the bidder is recognized in the industry as a bona fide subcontractor or contractor in such specialty work and subcontractor
category.
The typical subcontractor categories involving specialty work includes, by way of illustration and not limited to, plumbing,
electrical wiring, heating, roofing, insulating, weather stripping, masonry, bricklaying and plastering. The decision of the
awarding agency as to whether a bidder who lists itself as the subcontractor for a subcontractor category set forth in the
listing as provided in paragraph (10)a. of this subsection shall be final and binding upon all bidders, and no action of any
nature shall lie against any awarding agency or its employees or officers because of its decision in this regard.
3. After such a contract has been awarded, the successful bidder shall not substitute another subcontractor for any subcontractor
whose name was set forth in the statement which accompanied the bid without the written consent of the awarding agency. No
agency shall consent to any substitution of subcontractors unless the agency is satisfied that the subcontractor whose name
is on the bidders accompanying statement:
A. Is unqualified to perform the work required;
B. Has failed to execute a timely reasonable subcontract;
C. Has defaulted in the performance on the portion of the work covered by the subcontract; or
D. Is no longer engaged in such business.
4. All such contracts shall contain a provision for a penalty against the successful bidder for its failure to utilize any
or all the subcontractors in the successful bidder's accompanying statement in the performance of the work on the public building
contemplated by the contract. The penalty amount shall be set by the agency. The agency will also determine if the amount
is to be deducted from payments to the bidder for contract performance or if the amount is to be paid directly to the agency
by the bidder. Any penalty amount assessed against the contractor may be remitted or refunded, in whole or in part, by the
agency awarding the contract, only if it is established to the satisfaction of the agency that the subcontractor in question
has defaulted or is no longer engaged in such business. No claim for the remission or refund of any penalty shall be granted
under this section unless an application is filed within 1 year after the liability of the successful bidder accrues. All
penalty amounts assessed and not refunded or remitted to the contractor shall be reverted to the State, municipality or other
agency as the case may be.
5. If awarded, not to a general contractor, but to a prime contractor which contracts directly with agency awarding and/or
administering the contract, such contract may include a provision in its contract specifications that the successful bidder
perform a fixed percentage of the work of said public works contract up to 50% of the total contract bid. Factors to be considered
by the agency awarding the contract in setting the required percentage of amount of work the successful bidder must perform
may include the degree of difficulty involved in the agency's administration of the work covered under the terms of the public
works contract; the degree of specialty work contemplated in the contract including, but not limited to, the amount of plumbing,
electrical wiring, heating, roofing, insulation, weather-stripping, masonry, bricklaying or plastering work under the contract;
and the time period required in which to complete the public works project. The terms of the contract shall so specify reasons
for the stated percentage in its general terms and conditions. The decision of the agency setting the required percentage
shall not be set aside by any court of competent jurisdiction as long as there is a rational basis for setting the required
fixed percentage to be performed by the contractor. If the successful bidder fails to perform pursuant to the terms of this
provision, the agency awarding and/or administering the contract may invoke the provisions of § 6964 of this title.
6. No construction manager contract for public school projects may be signed unless approved by the Director.
(11) Other contracting requirements. --
a. Asbestos abatement. -- The selection of any contractor to perform asbestos abatement for State-funded projects shall be
approved by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to Chapter 78 of Title 16.
b. Standards of construction; protection of physically handicapped. -- All contracts shall conform with the standards established
by the Delaware Architectural Accessibility Board as authorized by Chapter 73 of this title, unless otherwise exempted by
the Board.
(12) Public bid opening requirements. --
a. Bids shall be opened publicly and the contractor and total bid price or the contractor, base bid, and alternate price should
be read aloud at the time and place designated in the plans and specifications.
b. Bids shall be unconditionally accepted without alteration. After the bid opening, no corrections in bid prices or other
provisions of bids prejudicial to the interests of the State or fair competition shall be permitted.
(13) Bid evaluation, contract award and execution procedure. --
a. The contracting agency shall award any public works contract within 30 days of the bid opening to the lowest responsive
and responsible bidder, unless the agency elects to award on the basis of best value, in which case the election to award
on the basis of best value shall be stated in the invitation to bid. Any public school district and its board shall award
public works contracts in accordance with this section's requirements except it shall award the contract within 60 days of
the bid opening. A contracting agency shall extend the 30-day bid evaluation period by a total of 5 working days and a school
district shall extend the 60-day bid evaluation period by a total of 5 working days if a bid is nonresponsive or a bidder
is judged to be not responsible, and the bidder cannot be notified in writing a minimum of 5 days prior to the end of the
30-day bid evaluation period in the case of an agency, or the 60-day bid evaluation period in the case of a school district.
Written notification to the bidder or bidders whose bid is non-responsive or who have been determined to be not responsible
shall be received at least 5 working days prior to the end of the original or the extended evaluation period and shall specify
the reason(s) why the bid is nonresponsive or the bidder determined to be not responsible. If the bid evaluation period is
extended by 5 working days, the contracting agency or school district shall notify each bidder in writing prior to the end
of the 30-day bid evaluation period in the case of an agency, or the 60-day bid evaluation period in the case of a school
district, that the bid evaluation period is being extended by 5 working days. The written notification to all bidders shall
include the calendar date by which the agency or school district shall award a contract or reject all bids.
Each bid on any public works contract must be deemed responsive by the agency to be considered for award. A responsive bid
shall conform in all material respects to the requirements and criteria set forth in the contract plans and specifications.
An agency shall determine that each bidder on any public works contract is responsible before awarding the contract. Factors
to be considered in determining the responsibility of a bidder include:
1. The bidder's financial, physical, personnel or other resources including subcontracts;
2. The bidder's record of performance on past public or private construction projects, including, but not limited to, defaults
and/or final adjudication or admission of violations of prevailing wage laws in Delaware or any other state;
3. The bidder's written safety plan;
4. Whether the bidder is qualified legally to contract with the State;
5. Whether the bidder supplied all necessary information concerning its responsibility; and,
6. Any other specific criteria for a particular procurement, which an agency may establish; provided however, that, the criteria
shall be set forth in the invitation to bid and is otherwise in conformity with State and/or federal law.
If an agency determines that a bidder is nonresponsive and/or nonresponsible, the determination shall be in writing and set
forth the basis for the determination. A copy of the determination shall be sent to the affected bidder within 5 working days
of said determination. The final determination shall be made part of the procurement file.
If the agency elects to award on the basis of best value, the agency must determine that the successful bidder is responsive
and responsible, as defined in this subsection. The determination of best value shall be based upon objective criteria that
have been communicated to the bidders in the invitation to bid. The following objective criteria shall be assigned a weight
consistent with the following:
(1) Price -- must be at least 70% but no more than 90%; and
(2) Schedule -- must be at least 10% but no more than 30%; and
A weighted average stated in the invitation to bid shall be applied to each criterion according to its importance to each
project. The agency shall rank the bidder according to the established criteria and award to the highest ranked bidder. Every
state agency and school district shall, on a yearly basis, file a report with every member of the General Assembly and the
Governor that states which projects were bid under best value and what contractor was awarded each contract.
b. A contract may be awarded to a bidder other than the lowest responsible and responsive bidde