ID H0542

Amends Idaho Code Section 67-5711C to include contractor participation in apprenticeship programs registered with the United States Department of Labor as a prequalification standard for state construction projects.

Adds apprenticeship program participation to the list of criteria for evaluating contractor qualifications, alongside technical competence, experience, past performance, safety record, and equipment availability.

Applies to projects where prequalification is deemed in the best interest of the state, requiring a two-stage bidding process that first identifies qualified contractors before accepting bid prices.

Clarifies that prequalification standards must be based on demonstrated competence and performance history, with the apprenticeship requirement included in request for qualifications documents.