Substitute House Bill No. 6903, Public Act No. 23-91, is a legislative act that revises the oversight and requirements for contracts managed by the Connecticut Port Authority, effective July 1, 2023. The bill outlines the roles and responsibilities of construction managers in the bidding process, including the requirement to use the State Contracting Portal for bids, maintain sealed bids until public opening, and award contracts to the lowest responsible qualified bidder. It also mandates detailed accounting of state fund expenditures by construction managers and prohibits "success fee" provisions in state-financed contracts. The bill allows for competitive bidding or negotiation for procurement, with exceptions for minor or emergency purchases under $10,000, and exempts certain public utility services from competitive bidding. Contracts must be awarded based on criteria such as the lowest responsible qualified bidder or highest scoring bidder in a multiple criteria bid.

The bill also amends the general statutes by repealing and substituting Section 15-31b, effective October 1, 2023, to redefine the purposes and powers of the Connecticut Port Authority. It includes the authority's ability to enter into contracts, adopt bylaws, manage properties, make financial transactions, award grants, and employ personnel. The bill modifies the definition of "state contracting agency" to include the Connecticut Port Authority for all provisions of chapter 62 except section 4e-16, and removes the specific end date of July 1, 2026, for the authority's status as a state contracting agency, suggesting an indefinite extension of this status. Additionally, the bill requires the authority to consider price as a factor in competitive negotiation and to evaluate bidders' past performance, skill, ability, and integrity.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 1-120
GAE Joint Favorable: 1-120
File No. 624: 1-120
File No. 803: 15-31b
Public Act No. 23-91: 15-31b