CT SB00850

Changes prequalification certificate denial from discretionary ("may not issue") to mandatory ("shall deny") for contractors with disqualifying convictions or those with principals/key personnel with relevant convictions within the past five years, effective October 1, 2011.

Adds a new disqualification criterion: contractors receiving three or more unsatisfactory written evaluations within the past five years shall be denied prequalification certificates, effective October 1, 2011.

Expands liability protection for public agencies and officials conducting contractor evaluations to include substantial subcontractors and subcontractors, unless the agency acts in a willful, wanton, or reckless manner, effective October 1, 2011.

Requires the Commissioner of Transportation to adopt regulations by October 1, 2012 for awarding contracts over $500,000 for public building construction/reconstruction, including a provision that bidders with three or more unsatisfactory evaluations within the past seven years cannot be prequalified.

Removes "nonrenewal" from appeal rights language for contractors challenging certification decisions, allowing appeals only for preliminary determinations, denials, reductions in classification, or revocations, effective October 1, 2011.