ASSEMBLY LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 1706

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: MARCH 25, 1996

 

      The Assembly Local Government Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1706 with committee amendments.

      Assembly Bill No. 1706, as amended by the committee, requires that notification of revisions or addenda to advertisements or bid documents relating to construction bids, be made in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, by facsimile transmission with return facsimile receipt, or by next day delivery carrier. The bill, as amended by the committee, also requires that such notification be sent to any person who has submitted a bid, received a bid package, or filed a notification request, not later than seven days prior to the date for acceptance of bids, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted. Current law does not distinguish between construction bids and non-construction bids and requires that, no later than five days prior to the date for acceptance of bids, such notification be published in a legal newspaper and be made available in writing by certified mail to any person who has submitted a bid or who has received a bid package.

      The committee amended the bill to remove the publication requirement only for construction bids and to require that notice be sent to interested parties at least seven work days prior to the date for acceptance of bids. The committee also amended the effective date of the bill to provide that it shall not take effect until the first day of the fourth month next following enactment. This will permit time for local contracting units and contractors to be made aware of the new procedure.