Projects included in the Authorized State Building Program, project approvals by the Building Commission, and selection of project architects and engineers. (FE)

The bill also raises from $185,000 to $300,000 the threshold for projects that are subject to single prime contracting, and the bill creates an exception to single prime contracting, including certain bidding requirements, for certain construction projects. Specifically, under the bill, the Department of Administration may let any construction project that exceeds $300,000 to a contractor whose primary business is the performance of a trade (single trade contractor) for all work on the project if at least 85 percent of the estimated construction cost of the project is for work that involves the trade that is the primary business of the single trade contractor. For purposes of the bill, “trade” means mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or fire protection work. The current law requirements with respect to the solicitation of bids or proposals for construction projects and the award of contracts to the lowest responsible bidder apply to single trade contracts under the bill. The single prime contracting process for certifying, selecting, and contracting with subcontractors does not apply to single trade contractors under the bill.

Finally, under the bill, the secretary of administration is required to establish a committee for each construction project under the department's supervision, except certain emergency projects, for the purpose of selecting an architect or engineer for the project. If the estimated cost of a construction project is $7,400,000 or more, the selection committee must use a request-for-proposal process established by the department to select an architect or engineer for the project based on qualifications.