HB 5692 Summary

• Establishes competitive bidding and competitive negotiation requirements for Connecticut Port Authority contracts for supplies, materials, equipment, and contractual services, with exceptions for minor/emergency purchases of $10,000 or less and specified public utility services.

• Requires the authority to award contracts to the lowest responsible qualified bidder, highest scoring bidder in multiple criteria bids, or most advantageous proposer, while considering past performance, financial responsibility, and other objective criteria.

• Mandates that purchase notices indicate the type of goods/services and estimated contract value, include nondiscrimination and small contractor requirements, and that all bids and proposals remain sealed until publicly opened.

• Requires the authority to adopt procedures establishing standards for competitive negotiation, including criteria and weightings for evaluation, and to include price as an explicit factor in competitive negotiation awards.

• Makes the Connecticut Port Authority a state contracting agency subject to Chapter 62 contracting requirements and the State Contracting Standards Board, effective October 1, 2023.