Government Administration and Elections Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-1015
AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Title: AND MODERNIZING REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT.
Vote Date: 3/31/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/10/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
The Government Administration and Elections Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill seeks to make numerous changes to operations at the Department of Administrative
Services regarding state property and construction projects. Changes include the removal of
references to "update bid statement", reduction of certain deadlines for the disposition of
surplus real property, expansion of the Department of Administrative Services' ability to grant
and receive easements, clarification of the State Property Review Board's scope and
standard of review, raising the threshold for review of construction consultant contracts and
designating authority to the department over integrated works of art in state buildings.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Noel Petra, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS):
In his written testimony, Deputy Commissioner Petra expressed strong support for the bill.
Deputy Commissioner Petra acknowledged the potential for the provisions in the bill to help
streamline unnecessary bureaucracy, eliminate archaic and confusing statutory language,
allow contracting authorities to have greater power in terms of holding contractors
accountable, and ultimately give DAS greater accessibility to modern construction practices
and experts in the field.
Jeffrey Berger, Member, State Properties Review Board: Mr. Berger indicated the State
Properties Review Boards opposition to the bill. Mr. Berger contended that the bill was
designed to limit the scope of authority delegated to the State Properties Review Board.
Citing the watchdog role of the Board, Mr. Berger wrote that the bill in its current form
diminishes the oversight, accountability and transparency capabilities of the Board. The
Board is the only entity that reviews the merits of DAS/DCS contracts with respect to cost,
scope of work, the equitable distribution of contracts among consultants, or the compliance
with State laws for procurement. The State Properties Review Board believes that the bill
deliberately restricts qualifications of Board members and seeks to take away the power
vested to the Board by the legislature in 1975.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Connecticut: The Associated General
Contractors of Connecticut made clear their support for Section 3 of the bill, which would give
contractors two days after bidding opens to submit a pre-qualification statement and any
updated statements. Due to the strict nature of the current requirements that disqualify any
bidder who doesnt submit an updated statement, the AGC believes that the state has been
forced to award contracts to companies that were not always the lowest most qualified
bidder. By removing the current requirements, the AGC hopes that the extended time frame
would ensure that contracts are awarded to the companies most suitable for fulfilling a given
project.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed.
Reported by: Trevor Hoffman Date: 03/31/2021
Page 2 of 2 SB-1015


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 518: