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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

 


DIVISION 49
MODEL RULES

GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO PUBLIC CONTRACTS FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

137-049-0100
Application
(1) These division 49 rules apply to
Public Improvement Contracts as well as Public Contracts for ordinary construction
Services that are not Public Improvements. Model Rules that apply specifically to
Public Improvement Contracts are so identified. These division 49 rules apply to
Contracts for Construction Manager/General Contractor Services, whether the initial
Contract between the parties includes both pre-construction services and construction
services, or only contains pre-construction services, since the underlying procurement
for Construction Manager/General Contractor Services authorizes Contracting Agencies
to enter into Contracts for both pre-construction and construction services.
(2) These division 49 rules
address matters covered in ORS Chapter 279C (with the exception of Architectural,
Engineering, Land Surveying and Related Services, all of which are addressed in
division 48 of the Model Rules).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065
Stats. Implemented: ORS 279A.065
Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07,
cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 10-2014(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14; Administrative
correction, 1-27-15; DOJ 2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15
137-049-0110
Policies
In addition to the general Code policies set forth in ORS 279A.015, the 279C.300 policy on competition and the 279C.305 policy on least-cost for Public Improvements apply to these division 49 rules.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.300 & 279C.305

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05
137-049-0120
Definitions
(1) "Conduct Disqualification" means
a Disqualification pursuant to ORS 279C.440.
(2) "Disqualification" means
the preclusion of a Person from contracting with a Contracting Agency for a period
of time in accordance with OAR 137-049-0370. Disqualification may be a Conduct Disqualification
or DBE Disqualification.
(3) "Foreign Contractor"
means a Contractor that is not domiciled in or registered to do business in the
State of Oregon. See OAR 137-049-0480.
(4) "Notice" means any of
the alternative forms of public announcement of Procurements, as described in OAR
137-049-0210.
(5) "Work" means the furnishing
of all services, materials, equipment, labor and incidentals necessary to successfully
complete any individual item or the entire Contract and the carrying out and completion
of all duties and obligations imposed by the Contract.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065
Stats. Implemented: ORS 279A.065
Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 10-2014(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14; Administrative correction, 1-27-15; DOJ
2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15
137-049-0130
Competitive Bidding Requirement
A Contracting Agency shall solicit Bids
for Public Improvement Contracts by Invitation to Bid ("ITB"), except as otherwise
allowed or required pursuant to ORS 279C.335 on competitive bidding exceptions and
exemptions, 279A.030 on federal law overrides or 279A.100 on affirmative action.
Also see OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 regarding the use of Alternative Contracting
Methods, use of Alternative Contracting Methods for projects which are excepted
or exempt from the competitive bidding process, use of Alternative Contracting Methods
within the competitive bidding process and the process for obtaining an exemption
from competitive bidding requirements.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065
Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.335
Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 10-2014(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14; Administrative correction, 1-27-15; DOJ
2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15
137-049-0140
Contracts for Construction Other Than Public Improvements
(1) Procurement Under ORS Chapter 279B. Pursuant to ORS 279C.320, Public Contracts for construction Services that are not Public Improvement Contracts may be procured and amended as general trade Services under the provisions of ORS Chapter 279B rather than under the provisions of ORS Chapter 279C and these division 49 rules. Emergency Contracts for construction Services are not Public Improvement Contracts and are regulated under ORS 279B.080.
(2) Application of ORS Chapter 279C. Non-procurement provisions of ORS Chapter 279C and these division 49 rules may still be applicable to the resulting Contracts. See, for example, particular statutes on Disqualification (279C.440, 445, 450); Legal Actions (279C.460 and 465); Required Contract Conditions (279C.505, 515, 520, 530); Hours of Labor (279C.540, 545); Retainage (279C.550, 560 and 565); Subcontracts (279C.580); Action on Payment Bonds (279C.600, 605, 610, 615, 620, 625); Termination (279C.650, 660, 670); and all of the Prevailing Wage Rates requirements (279C.800 through 870) for Public Works Contracts.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.320

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08
137-049-0150
Emergency Contracts; Bidding and Bonding Exemptions
(1) Emergency Declaration. A Contracting Agency may declare that Emergency circumstances exist that require prompt execution of a Public Contract for Emergency construction or repair Work. The declaration shall be made at an administrative level consistent with the Contracting Agency's internal policies, by a Written declaration that describes the circumstances creating the Emergency and the anticipated harm from failure to enter into an Emergency Contract. The Emergency declaration shall be kept on file as a public record.
(2) Competition for Emergency Contracts. Pursuant to ORS 279C.320(1), Emergency Contracts are regulated under ORS 279B.080, which provides that, for an emergency procurement of construction services, the Contracting Agency shall ensure competition that is reasonable and appropriate under the Emergency circumstances, and may include Written requests for Offers, oral requests for Offers or direct appointments without competition in cases of extreme necessity, in whatever solicitation time periods the Contracting Agency considers reasonable in responding to the Emergency.
(3) Emergency Contract Scope. Although no dollar limitation applies to Emergency Contracts, the scope of the Contract must be limited to Work that is necessary and appropriate to remedy the conditions creating the Emergency as described in the declaration.
(4) Emergency Contract Modification. Emergency Contracts may be modified by change order or amendment to address the conditions described in the original declaration or an amended declaration that further describes additional Work necessary and appropriate for related Emergency circumstances.
(5) Excusing Bonds. Pursuant to ORS 279C.380(4) and this rule, the Emergency declaration may also state that the Contracting Agency waives the requirement of furnishing a performance bond and payment bond for the Emergency Contract. After making such an Emergency declaration those bonding requirements are excused for the procurement, but this Emergency declaration does not affect the separate Public Works bond requirement for the benefit of the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) in enforcing prevailing wage rate and overtime payment requirements. See OAR 137-049-0815 and BOLI rules at OAR 839-025-0015.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279B.080, 279C.320, 279C.380

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0160
Intermediate Procurements; Competitive Quotes and Amendments
(1) General. Public Improvement Contracts estimated by the Contracting Agency not to exceed $100,000 may be Awarded in accordance with intermediate level procurement procedures for competitive quotes established by this rule.
(2) Selection Criteria. The selection criteria may be limited to price or some combination of price, experience, specific expertise, availability, project understanding, contractor capacity, responsibility and similar factors.
(3) Request for Quotes. Contracting Agencies shall utilize Written requests for quotes whenever reasonably practicable. Written Request for Quotes shall include the selection criteria to be utilized in selecting a Contractor and, if the criteria are not of equal value, their relative value or ranking. When requesting quotations orally, prior to requesting the price quote the Contracting Agency shall state any additional selection criteria and, if the criteria are not of equal value, their relative value. For Public Works Contracts, oral quotations may be utilized only in the event that Written copies of the prevailing wage rates are not required by the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
(4) Number of Quotes; Record Required. Contracting Agencies shall seek at least three competitive quotes, and keep a Written record of the sources and amounts of the quotes received. If three quotes are not reasonably available the Contracting Agency shall make a Written record of the effort made to obtain those quotes.
(5) Award. If Awarded, the Contracting Agency shall Award the Contract to the prospective contractor whose quote will best serve the interests of the Contracting Agency, taking into account the announced selection criteria. If Award is not made to the Offeror offering the lowest price, the Contracting Agency shall make a Written record of the basis for Award.
(6) Price Increases. Intermediate level Public Improvement Contracts obtained by competitive quotes may be increased above the original amount of Award by Contracting Agency issuance of a Change to the Work or Amendment, pursuant to OAR 137-049-0910, within the following limitations:
(a) Up to an aggregate Contract Price increase of 25% over the original Contract amount when a Contracting Agency's contracting officer determines that a price increase is warranted for additional reasonably related Work, and;
(b) Up to an aggregate Contract Price increase of 50% over the original Contract amount, when a Contracting Agency's contracting officer determines that a price increase is warranted for additional reasonably related Work and a Contracting Agency official, board or governing body with administrative or review authority over the contracting officer approves the increase.
(7) Amendments. Amendments of intermediate level Public Improvement Contracts that exceed the thresholds stated in section (1) are specifically authorized by the Code, when made in accordance with this rule. Accordingly, such amendments are not considered new procurements and do not require an exemption from competitive bidding.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: Temporary provisions relating to competitive quotes were not codified but compiled as Legislative Counsel notes following ORS 279C.410.

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08

Formal Procurement Rules

137-049-0200
Solicitation Documents; Required Provisions; Assignment or Transfer
(1) Solicitation Document. Pursuant to ORS 279C.365 and this rule, the Solicitation Document shall include the following:
(a) General Information:
(A) Identification of the Public Improvement project, including the character of the Work, and applicable plans, Specifications and other Contract documents;
(B) Notice of any pre-Offer conference as follows:
(i) The time, date and location of any pre-Offer conference;
(ii) Whether attendance at the conference will be mandatory or voluntary; and
(iii) That statements made by the Contracting Agency's representatives at the conference are not binding upon the Contracting Agency unless confirmed by Written Addendum.
(C) The deadline for submitting mandatory prequalification applications and the class or classes of Work for which Offerors must be prequalified if prequalification is a requirement;
(D) The name and title of the authorized Contracting Agency Person designated for receipt of Offers and contact Person (if different);
(E) Instructions and information concerning the form and submission of Offers, including the address of the office to which Offers must be delivered, any Bid or Proposal security requirements, and any other required information or special information, e.g., whether Offers may be submitted by facsimile or electronic means (See OAR 137-049-0300 regarding facsimile Bids or Proposals and OAR 137-049-0310 regarding electronic Procurement);
(F) The time, date and place of Opening;
(G) The time and date of Closing after which a Contracting Agency will not accept Offers, which time shall be not less than five Days after the date of the last publication of the advertisement. Although a minimum of five Days is prescribed, Contracting Agencies are encouraged to use at least a 14 Day solicitation period when feasible. If the Contracting Agency is issuing an ITB that may result in a Public Improvement Contract with a value in excess of $100,000, the Contracting Agency shall designate a time of Closing consistent with the first-tier subcontractor disclosure requirements of ORS 279C.370(1)(b) and OAR 137-049-0360. For timing issues relating to Addenda, see OAR 137-049-0250;
(H) The office where the Specifications for the Work may be reviewed;
(I) A statement that each Bidder to an ITB must identify whether the Bidder is a "resident Bidder," as defined in ORS 279A.120;
(J) If the Contract resulting from a solicitation will be a Contract for a Public Work subject to ORS 279C.800 to 279C.870 or the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141 to 3148), a statement that no Offer will be received or considered by the Contracting Agency unless the Offer contains a statement by the Offeror as a part of its Offer that "Contractor agrees to be bound by and will comply with the provisions of 279C.838, 279C.840 or 40 U.S.C. 3141 to 3148."
(K) A statement that the Contracting Agency will not receive or consider an Offer for a Public Improvement Contract unless the Offeror is registered with the Construction Contractors Board, or is licensed by the State Landscape Contractors Board, as specified in OAR 137-049-0230;
(L) Whether a Contractor or a subcontractor under the Contract must be licensed under ORS 468A.720 regarding asbestos abatement projects;
(M) Contractor's certification of nondiscrimination in obtaining required subcontractors in accordance with ORS 279A.110(4). (See OAR 137-049-0440(3));
(N) How the Contracting Agency will notify Offerors of Addenda and how the Contracting Agency will make Addenda available (See OAR 137-049-0250); and
(O) When applicable, instructions and forms regarding First-Tier Subcontractor Disclosure requirements, as set forth in OAR 137-049-0360.
(b) Evaluation Process:
(A) A statement that the Contracting Agency may reject any Offer not in compliance with all prescribed Public Contracting procedures and requirements, including the requirement to demonstrate the Bidder’s responsibility under ORS 279C.375(3)(b), and may reject for good cause all Offers after finding that doing so is in the public interest;
(B) The anticipated solicitation schedule, deadlines, protest process and evaluation process, if any;
(C) Evaluation criteria, including the relative value applicable to each criterion, that the Contracting Agency will use to determine the Responsible Bidder with the lowest Responsive Bid (where Award is based solely on price) or the Responsible Proposer or Proposers with the best Responsive Proposal or Proposals (where use of competitive Proposals is authorized under ORS 279C.335 and OAR 137-049-0620), along with the process the Contracting Agency will use to determine acceptability of the Work;
(i) If the Solicitation Document is an Invitation to Bid, the Contracting Agency shall set forth any special price evaluation factors in the Solicitation Document. Examples of such factors include, but are not limited to, conversion costs, transportation cost, volume weighing, trade-in allowances, cash discounts, depreciation allowances, cartage penalties, and ownership or life-cycle cost formulas. Price evaluation factors need not be precise predictors of actual future costs; but, to the extent possible, such evaluation factors shall be objective, reasonable estimates based upon information the Contracting Agency has available concerning future use;
(ii) If the Solicitation Document is a Request for Proposals, the Contracting Agency shall refer to the additional requirements of OAR 137-049-0650; and
(c) Contract Provisions. The Contracting Agency shall include all Contract terms and conditions, including warranties, insurance and bonding requirements, that the Contracting Agency considers appropriate for the Public Improvement project. The Contracting Agency must also include all applicable Contract provisions required by Oregon law as follows:
(A) Prompt payment to all Persons supplying labor or material; contributions to Industrial Accident Fund; liens and withholding taxes (ORS 279C.505(1));
(B) Demonstrate that an employee drug testing program is in place (ORS 279C.505(2));
(C) If the Contract calls for demolition Work described in ORS 279C.510(1), a condition requiring the Contractor to salvage or recycle construction and demolition debris, if feasible and cost-effective;
(D) If the Contract calls for lawn or landscape maintenance, a condition requiring the Contractor to compost or mulch yard waste material at an approved site, if feasible and cost effective (ORS 279C.510(2);
(E) Payment of claims by public officers (ORS 279C.515(1));
(F) Contractor and first-tier subcontractor liability for late payment on Public Improvement Contracts pursuant to ORS 279C.515(2), including the rate of interest;
(G) Person's right to file a complaint with the Construction Contractors Board for all Contracts related to a Public Improvement Contract (ORS 279C.515(3));
(H) Hours of labor in compliance with ORS 279C.520;
(I) Environmental and natural resources regulations (ORS 279C.525);
(J) Payment for medical care and attention to employees (ORS 279C.530(1));
(K) A Contract provision substantially as follows: "All employers, including Contractor, that employ subject workers who work under this Contract in the State of Oregon shall comply with ORS 656.017 and provide the required Workers' Compensation coverage, unless such employers are exempt under ORS 656.126. Contractor shall ensure that each of its subcontractors complies with these requirements." (ORS 279C.530(2));
(L) Maximum hours, holidays and overtime (ORS 279C.540);
(M) Time limitation on claims for overtime (ORS 279C.545);
(N) Prevailing wage rates (ORS 279C.800 to 279C.870);
(O) BOLI Public Works bond (ORS 279C.830(2));
(P) Retainage (ORS 279C.550 to 279C.570);
(Q) Prompt payment policy, progress payments, rate of interest (ORS 279C.570);
(R) Contractor's relations with subcontractors (ORS 279C.580);
(S) Notice of claim (ORS 279C.605);
(T) Contractor's certification of compliance with the Oregon tax laws in accordance with ORS 305.385; and
(U) Contractor's certification that all subcontractors performing Work described in ORS 701.005(2) (i.e., construction Work) will be registered with the Construction Contractors Board or licensed by the State Landscape Contractors Board in accordance with ORS 701.035 to 701.055 before the subcontractors commence Work under the Contract.
(2) Assignment or Transfer Restricted. Unless otherwise provided in the Contract, the Contractor shall not assign, sell, dispose of, or transfer rights, or delegate duties under the Contract, either in whole or in part, without the Contracting Agency's prior Written consent. Unless otherwise agreed by the Contracting Agency in Writing, such consent shall not relieve the Contractor of any obligations under the Contract. Any assignee or transferee shall be considered the agent of the Contractor and be bound to abide by all provisions of the Contract. If the Contracting Agency consents in Writing to an assignment, sale, disposal or transfer of the Contractor's rights or delegation of Contractor's duties, the Contractor and its surety, if any, shall remain liable to the Contracting Agency for complete performance of the Contract as if no such assignment, sale, disposal, transfer or delegation had occurred unless the Contracting Agency otherwise agrees in Writing.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279A.110, 279A.120, 279C.365, 279C.370, 279C.390, 279C.505 - 580, 279C.605, 305.385, 468A.720, 701.005 & 701.055

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0210
Notice and Advertising Requirements; Posting
(1) Notice and Distribution Fee. A Contracting Agency shall furnish "Notice" as set forth below in subsections (a) through (c), to a number of Persons sufficient for the purpose of fostering and promoting competition. The Notice shall indicate where, when, how and for how long the Solicitation Document may be obtained and generally describe the Public Improvement project or Work. The Notice may contain any other appropriate information. The Contracting Agency may charge a fee or require a deposit for the Solicitation Document. The Contracting Agency may furnish Notice using any method determined to foster and promote competition, including:
(a) Mailing Notice of the availability of Solicitation Documents to Persons that have expressed an interest in the Contracting Agency's Procurements;
(b) Placing Notice on the Contracting Agency's Electronic Procurement System; or
(c) Placing Notice on the Contracting Agency's Internet Web site.
(2) Advertising. Pursuant to ORS 279C.360 and this rule, a Contracting Agency shall advertise every solicitation for competitive Bids or competitive Proposals for a Public Improvement Contract, unless the Contract Review Authority for that Contracting Agency has exempted the solicitation from the advertisement requirement as part of a competitive bidding exemption under ORS 279C.335.
(a) Unless the Contracting Agency publishes by Electronic Advertisement as permitted under subsection 2(b), the Contracting Agency shall publish the advertisement for Offers at least once in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the area where the Contract is to be performed and in as many additional issues and publications as the Contracting Agency may determine to be necessary or desirable to foster and promote competition.
(b) A Contracting Agency may publish by Electronic Advertisement if the Contract Review Authority for the Contracting Agency determines Electronic Advertisement is likely to be cost effective and, by rule or order, authorizes Electronic Advertisement.
(c) In addition to the Contracting Agency's publication required under subsection 2(a) or 2(b), the Contracting Agency shall also publish an advertisement for Offers in at least one trade newspaper of general statewide circulation if the Contract is for a Public Improvement with an estimated cost in excess of $125,000.
(d) All advertisements for Offers shall set forth:
(A) The Public Improvement project;
(B) The office where Contract terms, conditions and Specifications may be reviewed;
(C) The date that Persons must file applications for prequalification under ORS 279C.340, if prequalification is a requirement, and the class or classes of Work for which Persons must be prequalified;
(D) The scheduled Closing, which shall not be less than five Days after the date of the last publication of the advertisement;
(E) The name, title and address of the Contracting Agency Person authorized to receive Offers;
(F) The scheduled Opening; and
(G) If applicable, that the Contract is for a Public Work subject to ORS 279C.800 to 279C.870 or the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141 to 3148).
(3) Minority, Women Emerging Small Business. State Contracting Agencies shall provide timely notice of all solicitations to the Advocate for Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business if the estimated Contract Price exceeds $5,000. See ORS 200.035.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.360 & 200.035

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0220
Prequalification of Offerors
(1) Prequalification. Pursuant to ORS 279C.430 and this rule, two types of prequalification are authorized:
(a) Mandatory Prequalification. A Contracting Agency may, by rule, resolution, ordinance or other law or regulation, require mandatory prequalification of Offerors on forms prescribed by the Contracting Agency's Contract Review Authority. A Contracting Agency must indicate in the Solicitation Document if it will require mandatory prequalification. Mandatory prequalification is when a Contracting Agency conditions a Person's submission of an Offer upon the Person's prequalification. The Contracting Agency shall not consider an Offer from a Person that is not prequalified if the Contracting Agency required prequalification.
(b) Permissive Prequalification. A Contracting Agency may prequalify a Person for the Contracting Agency's solicitation list on forms prescribed by the Contracting Agency's Contract Review Authority, but in permissive prequalification the Contracting Agency shall not limit distribution of a solicitation to that list.
(2) Prequalification Presumed. If an Offeror is currently prequalified by either the Oregon Department of Transportation or the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to perform Contracts, the Offeror shall be rebuttably presumed qualified to perform similar Work for other Contracting Agencies.
(3) Standards for Prequalification. A Person may prequalify by demonstrating to the Contracting Agency's satisfaction:
(a) That the Person's financial, material, equipment, facility and personnel resources and expertise, or ability to obtain such resources and expertise, indicate that the Person is capable of meeting all contractual responsibilities;
(b) The Person's record of performance;
(c) The Person's record of integrity;
(d) The Person is qualified to contract with the Contracting Agency. (See, OAR 137-049-0390(2) regarding standards of responsibility.)
(4) Notice of Denial. If a Person fails to prequalify for a mandatory prequalification, the Contracting Agency shall notify the Person, specify the reasons under section (3) of this rule and inform the Person of the Person's right to a hearing under ORS 279C.445 and 279C.450.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.430 & 279C.435

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0230
Eligibility to Bid or Propose; Registration or License
(1) Construction Contracts. A Contracting Agency shall not consider a Person's Offer to do Work as a contractor, as defined in ORS 701.005(2), unless the Person has a current, valid certificate of registration issued by the Construction Contractors Board at the time the Offer is made.
(2) Landscape Contracts. A Contracting Agency shall not consider a Person's Offer to do Work as a landscape contractor as defined in ORS 671.520(2), unless the Person has a current, valid landscape contractors license issued pursuant to 671.560 by the State Landscape Contractors Board at the time the offer is made.
(3) Noncomplying Entities. The Contracting Agency shall deem an Offer received from a Person that fails to comply with this rule nonresponsive and shall reject the Offer as stated in ORS 279C.365(1)(k), unless contrary to federal law or subject to different timing requirements set by federal funding agencies.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.365, 671.530 & 701.055

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05
137-049-0240
Pre-Offer Conferences
(1) Purpose. A Contracting Agency may hold pre-Offer conferences with prospective Offerors prior to Closing, to explain the Procurement requirements, obtain information or to conduct site inspections.
(2) Required attendance. The Contracting Agency may require attendance at the pre-Offer conference as a condition for making an Offer. Unless otherwise specified in the Solicitation Document, a mandatory attendance requirement is considered to have been met if, at any time during the mandatory meeting, a representative of an offering firm is present.
(3) Scheduled time. If a Contracting Agency holds a pre-Offer conference, it shall be held within a reasonable time after the Solicitation Document has been issued, but sufficiently before the Closing to allow Offerors to consider information provided at that conference.
(4) Statements Not Binding. Statements made by a Contracting Agency's representative at the pre-Offer conference do not change the Solicitation Document unless the Contracting Agency confirms such statements with a Written Addendum to the Solicitation Document.
(5) Contracting Agency Announcement. The Contracting Agency must set forth notice of any pre-Offer conference in the Solicitation Document in accordance with OAR 137-049-0200(1)(a)(B).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.365 & 279C.370

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05
137-049-0250
Addenda to Solicitation Documents
(1) Issuance; Receipt. The Contracting Agency may change a Solicitation Document only by Written Addenda. An Offeror shall provide Written acknowledgement of receipt of all issued Addenda with its Offer, unless the Contracting Agency otherwise specifies in the Addenda or in the Solicitation Document.
(2) Notice and Distribution. The Contracting Agency shall notify prospective Offerors of Addenda consistent with the standards of Notice set forth in OAR 137-049-0210(1). The Solicitation Document shall specify how the Contracting Agency will provide notice of Addenda and how the Contracting Agency will make the Addenda available (see, 137-049-0200(1)(a)(N). For example, "Contracting Agency will not mail notice of Addenda, but will publish notice of any Addenda on Contracting Agency's Web site. Addenda may be downloaded off the Contracting Agency's Web site. Offerors should frequently check the Contracting Agency's Web site until closing, i.e., at least once weekly until the week of Closing and at least once daily the week of the Closing."
(3) Timelines; Extensions. The Contracting Agency shall issue Addenda within a reasonable time to allow prospective Offerors to consider the Addenda in preparing their Offers. The Contracting Agency may extend the Closing if the Contracting Agency determines prospective Offerors need additional time to review and respond to Addenda. Except to the extent required by public interest, the Contracting Agency shall not issue Addenda less than 72 hours before the Closing unless the Addendum also extends the Closing.
(4) Request for Change or Protest. Unless a different deadline is set forth in the Addendum, an Offeror may submit a Written request for change or protest to the Addendum, as provided in OAR 137-049-0260, by the close of the Contracting Agency's next business day after issuance of the Addendum, or up to the last day allowed to submit a request for change or protest under 137-049-0260, whichever date is later. The Contracting Agency shall consider only an Offeror's request for change or protest to the Addendum; the Contracting Agency shall not consider a request for change or protest to matters not added or modified by the Addendum, unless the Offeror submits the request for change or protest before the deadline for the Contracting Agency's receipt of request for change or protests as set forth in 137-049-0260(2) and (3).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.395 & 279A.065

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05
137-049-0260
Request for Clarification or Change; Solicitation Protests
(1) Clarification. Prior to the deadline for submitting a Written request for change or protest, an Offeror may request that the Contracting Agency clarify any provision of the Solicitation Document. The Contracting Agency's clarification to an Offeror, whether orally or in Writing, does not change the Solicitation Document and is not binding on the Contracting Agency unless the Contracting Agency amends the Solicitation Document by Addendum.
(2) Request for Change.
(a) Delivery. An Offeror may request in Writing a change to the Specifications or Contract terms and conditions. Unless otherwise specified in the Solicitation Document, an Offeror must deliver the Written request for change to the Contracting Agency not less than 10 Days prior to Closing;
(b) Content of Request for Change.
(A) An Offeror's Written request for change shall include a statement of the requested change(s) to the Contract terms and conditions, including any Specifications, together with the reason for the requested change.
(B) An Offeror shall mark its request for change as follows:
(i) "Contract Provision Request for Change"; and
(ii) Solicitation Document number (or other identification as specified in the Solicitation Document).
(3) Protest.
(a) Delivery. An Offeror may protest Specifications or Contract terms and conditions. Unless otherwise specified in the Solicitation Document, an Offeror must deliver a Written protest on those matters to the Contracting Agency not less than 10 Days prior to Closing;
(b) Content of Protest.
(A) An Offeror's Written protest shall include:
(i) A detailed statement of the legal and factual grounds for the protest;
(ii) A description of the resulting prejudice to the Offeror; and
(iii) A statement of the desired changes to the Contract terms and conditions, including any Specifications.
(B) An Offeror shall mark its protest as follows:
(i) "Contract Provision Protest"; and
(ii) Solicitation Document number (or other identification as specified in the Solicitation Document).
(4) Contracting Agency Response. The Contracting Agency is not required to consider an Offeror's request for change or protest after the deadline established for submitting such request or protest. The Contracting Agency shall provide notice to the applicable Person if it entirely rejects a protest. If the Contracting Agency agrees with the Person's request or protest, in whole or in part, the Contracting Agency shall either issue an Addendum reflecting its determination under OAR 137-049-0260 or cancel the solicitation under OAR 137-049-0270.
(5) Extension of Closing. If a Contracting Agency receives a Written request for change or protest from an Offeror in accordance with this rule, the Contracting Agency may extend Closing if the Contracting Agency determines an extension is necessary to consider the request or protest and issue an Addendum, if any, to the Solicitation Document.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.345 & 279C.365

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0270
Cancellation of Solicitation Document
(1) Cancellation in the Public Interest. A Contracting Agency may cancel a solicitation for good cause if the Contracting Agency finds that cancellation is in the public interest. The Contracting Agency's reasons for cancellation shall be made part of the solicitation file.
(2) Notice of Cancellation. If the Contracting Agency cancels a solicitation prior to Opening, the Contracting Agency shall provide Notice of cancellation in accordance with OAR 137-049-0210(1). Such notice of cancellation shall:
(a) Identify the solicitation;
(b) Briefly explain the reason for cancellation; and
(c) If appropriate, explain that an opportunity will be given to compete on any resolicitation.
(3) Disposition of Offers.
(a) Prior to Offer Opening. If the Contracting Agency cancels a solicitation prior to Offer Opening, the Contracting Agency shall return all Offers it received to Offerors unopened, provided the Offeror submitted its Offer in a hard copy format with a clearly visible return address. If there is no return address on the envelope, the Contracting Agency shall open the Offer to determine the source and then return it to the Offeror.
(b) After Offer Opening. If the Contracting Agency rejects all Offers, the Contracting Agency shall retain all such Offers as part of the Contracting Agency's solicitation file.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.395

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0280
Offer Submissions
(1) Offer and Acceptance. The Bid or Proposal is the Bidder's or Proposer's offer to enter into a Contract.
(a) In competitive bidding and competitive Proposals, the Offer is always a "Firm Offer," i.e., the Offer shall be held open by the Offeror for the Contracting Agency's acceptance for the period specified in OAR 137-049-0410. The Contracting Agency may elect to accept the Offer at any time during the specified period, and the Contracting Agency's Award of the Contract to a Bidder constitutes acceptance of the Offer and binds the Offeror to the Contract.
(b) Notwithstanding the fact that a competitive Proposal is a "Firm Offer" for the period specified in OAR 137-049-0410, the Contracting Agency may elect to discuss or negotiate certain contractual provisions, as identified in these rules or in the Solicitation Document, with the Proposer. See 137-049-0650 on Requests for Proposals and 137-049-0290 on Bid or Proposal Security. Where negotiation is permitted by the rules or the Solicitation Document, Proposers are bound to an obligation to negotiate in good faith and only on those terms that the rules or the Solicitation Document has reserved for negotiation.
(2) Responsive Offer. A Contracting Agency may Award a Contract only to a Responsible Offeror with a Responsive Offer.
(3) Contingent Offers. Except to the extent that an Offeror is authorized to propose certain terms and conditions pursuant to OAR 137-049-0650, an Offeror shall not make an Offer contingent upon the Contracting Agency's acceptance of any terms or conditions (including Specifications) other than those contained in the Solicitation Document.
(4) Offeror's Acknowledgement. By signing and returning the Offer, the Offeror acknowledges it has read and understands the terms and conditions contained in the Solicitation Document and that it accepts and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Solicitation Document. If the Request for Proposals permits Proposal of alternative terms under OAR 137-049-0650, the Offeror's Offer includes the nonnegotiable terms and conditions and any proposed terms and conditions offered for negotiation upon and to the extent accepted by the Contracting Agency in Writing.
(5) Instructions. An Offeror shall submit and Sign its Offer in accordance with the Solicitation Document. An Offeror shall initial and submit any correction or erasure to its Offer prior to the Opening in accordance with the requirements for submitting an Offer under the Solicitation Document.
(6) Forms. An Offeror shall submit its Offer on the form(s) provided in the Solicitation Document, unless an Offeror is otherwise instructed in the Solicitation Document.
(7) Documents. An Offeror shall provide the Contracting Agency with all documents and Descriptive Literature required under the Solicitation Document.
(8) Facsimile or Electronic Submissions. If the Contracting Agency permits facsimile or electronic Offers in the Solicitation Document, the Offeror may submit facsimile or electronic Offers in accordance with the Solicitation Document. The Contracting Agency shall not consider facsimile or electronic Offers unless authorized by the Solicitation Document.
(9) Product Samples and Descriptive Literature. A Contracting Agency may require Product Samples or Descriptive Literature if it is necessary or desirable to evaluate the quality, features or characteristics of the offered items. The Contracting Agency will dispose of Product Samples, or return or make available for return Product Samples to the Offeror in accordance with the Solicitation Document.
(10) Identification of Offers.
(a) To ensure proper identification and handling, Offers shall be submitted in a sealed envelope appropriately marked or in the envelope provided by the Contracting Agency, whichever is applicable.
(b) The Contracting Agency is not responsible for Offers submitted in any manner, format or to any delivery point other than as required in the Solicitation Document.
(11) Receipt of Offers. The Offeror is responsible for ensuring that the Contracting Agency receives its Offer at the required delivery point prior to the Closing, regardless of the method used to submit or transmit the Offer.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.365 & 279C.375

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08
137-049-0290
Bid or Proposal Security
(1) Security Amount. If a Contracting Agency requires Bid or Proposal security, it shall be not more than 10% or less than 5% of the Offeror's Bid or Proposal, consisting of the base Bid or Proposal together with all additive alternates. A Contracting Agency shall not use Bid or Proposal security to discourage competition. The Contracting Agency shall clearly state any Bid or Proposal security requirements in its Solicitation Document. The Offeror shall forfeit Bid or Proposal security after Award if the Offeror fails to execute the Contract and promptly return it with any required performance bond, payment bond and any required proof of insurance. See ORS 279C.365(5) and 279C.385.
(2) Requirement for Bid Security (Optional for Proposals). Unless a Contracting Agency has otherwise exempted a solicitation or class of solicitations from Bid security pursuant to ORS 279C.390, the Contracting Agency shall require Bid security for its solicitation of Bids for Public Improvements. This requirement applies only to Public Improvement Contracts with a value, estimated by the Contracting Agency, of more than $100,000 or, in the case of Contracts for highways, bridges and other transportation projects, more than $50,000. See ORS 279C.365(6). The Contracting Agency may require Bid security even if it has exempted a class of solicitations from Bid security. Contracting Agencies may also require Proposal security in RFPs. See ORS 279C.400(5).
(3) Form of Bid or Proposal Security. A Contracting Agency may accept only the following forms of Bid or Proposal security:
(a) A surety bond from a surety company authorized to do business in the State of Oregon;
(b) An irrevocable letter of credit issued by an insured institution as defined in ORS 706.008; or
(c) A cashier's check or Offeror's certified check.
(4) Return of Security. A Contracting Agency shall return or release the Bid or Proposal security of all unsuccessful Offerors after a Contract has been fully executed and all required bonds and insurance have been provided, or after all Offers have been rejected. The Contracting Agency may return the Bid or Proposal security of unsuccessful Offerors prior to Award if the return does not prejudice Contract Award and the security of at least the Bidders with the three lowest Bids, or the Proposers with the three highest scoring Proposals, is retained pending execution of a Contract.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.365, 279C.385 & 279C.390

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0300
Facsimile Bids and Proposals
(1) Contracting Agency Authorization. A Contracting Agency may authorize Offerors to submit facsimile Offers. If the Contracting Agency determines that Bid or Proposal security is or will be required, the Contracting Agency shall not authorize facsimile Offers unless the Contracting Agency has established a method for receipt of such security. Prior to authorizing the submission of facsimile Offers, the Contracting Agency shall determine that the Contracting Agency's equipment and personnel are capable of receiving the size and volume of anticipated Offers within a short period of time. In addition, the Contracting Agency shall establish administrative procedures and controls:
(a) To receive, identify, record and safeguard facsimile Offers;
(b) To ensure timely delivery of Offers to the location of Opening; and
(c) To preserve the Offers as sealed.
(2) Provisions To Be Included in Solicitation Document. In addition to all other requirements, if the Contracting Agency authorizes a facsimile Offer for Bids or Proposals, the Contracting Agency shall include in the Solicitation Document (other than in a Request for Quotes) the following:
(a) A provision substantially in the form of the following: "A 'facsimile Offer', as used in this Solicitation Document, means an Offer, modification of an Offer, or withdrawal of an Offer that is transmitted to and received by the Contracting Agency via a facsimile machine";
(b) A provision substantially in the form of the following: "Offerors may submit facsimile Offers in response to this Solicitation Document. The entire response must arrive at the place and by the time specified in this Solicitation Document.";
(c) A provision that requires Offerors to Sign their facsimile Offers;
(d) A provision substantially in the form of the following: "The Contracting Agency reserves the right to Award the Contract solely on the basis of the facsimile Offer. However, upon the Contracting Agency's request the apparent successful Offeror shall promptly submit its complete original Signed Offer.";
(e) The data and compatibility characteristics of the Contracting Agency's receiving facsimile machine as follows:
(A) Telephone number; and
(B) Compatibility characteristics, e.g., make and model number, receiving speed, communications protocol; and
(f) A provision that the Contracting Agency is not responsible for any failure attributable to the transmission or receipt of the facsimile Offer including, but not limited to the following:
(A) Receipt of garbled or incomplete documents;
(B) Availability or condition of the receiving facsimile machine;
(C) Incompatibility between the sending and receiving facsimile machine;
(D) Delay in transmission or receipt of documents;
(E) Failure of the Offeror to properly identify the Offer documents;
(F) Illegibility of Offer documents; and
(G) Security and confidentiality of data.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.365

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06
137-049-0310
Electronic Procurement
(1) General. Contracting Agencies may utilize Electronic Advertisement of Public Improvement Contracts in accordance with ORS 279C.360(1), provided that advertisement of such Contracts with an estimated Contract Price in excess of $125,000 must also be published in a trade newspaper of general statewide circulation, and may post notices of intent to Award electronically as provided by ORS 279C.410(7).
(2) Alternative Procedures. In the event that a Contracting Agency desires to direct or permit the submission and receipt of Offers for a Public Improvement Contract by electronic means, as allowed under ORS 279C.365(1)(d), it shall first promulgate supporting procedures substantially in conformance with OAR 137-047-0330 (Electronic Procurement under ORS Chapter 279B), taking into account ORS Chapter 279C requirements for Written bids, opening bids publicly, bid security, first-tier subcontractor disclosure and inclusion of prevailing wage rates.
(3) Interpretation. Nothing in this rule shall be construed as prohibiting Contracting Agencies from making procurement documents for Public Improvement Contracts available in electronic format as well as in hard copy when Bids are to be submitted only in hard copy. See ORS 279C.365(2).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.365

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08
137-049-0320
Pre-Closing Modification or Withdrawal of Offers
(1) Modifications. An Offeror may modify its Offer in Writing prior to the Closing. An Offeror shall prepare and submit any modification to its Offer to the Contracting Agency in accordance with OAR 137-049-0280, unless otherwise specified in the Solicitation Document. Any modification must include the Offeror's statement that the modification amends and supersedes the prior Offer. The Offeror shall mark the submitted modification as follows:
(a) Bid (or Proposal) Modification; and
(b) Solicitation Number (or Other Identification as specified in the Solicitation Document).
(2) Withdrawals.
(a) An Offeror may withdraw its Offer by Written notice submitted on the Offeror's letterhead, Signed by an authorized representative of the Offeror, delivered to the location specified in the Solicitation Document (or the place of Closing if no location is specified), and received by the Contracting Agency prior to the Closing. The Offeror or authorized representative of the Offeror may also withdraw its Offer in Person prior to the Closing, upon presentation of appropriate identification and satisfactory evidence of authority.
(b) The Contracting Agency may release an unopened Offer withdrawn under subsection 2(a) to the Offeror or its authorized representative, after voiding any date and time stamp mark.
(c) The Offeror shall mark the Written request to withdraw an Offer as follows:
(A) Bid (or Proposal) Withdrawal; and
(B) Solicitation Number (or Other Identification as specified in the Solicitation Document).
(3) Documentation. The Contracting Agency shall include all documents relating to the modification or withdrawal of Offers in the appropriate solicitation file.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.360, 279C.365, 279C.375 & 279C.395

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0330
Receipt, Opening and Recording of Offers; Confidentiality of Offers
(1) Receipt. A Contracting Agency shall electronically or mechanically time-stamp or hand-mark each Offer and any modification upon receipt. The Contracting Agency shall not open the Offer or modification upon receipt, but shall maintain it as confidential and secure until Opening. If the Contracting Agency inadvertently opens an Offer or a modification prior to the Opening, the Contracting Agency shall return the Offer or modification to its secure and confidential state until Opening. The Contracting Agency shall document the resealing for the Procurement file (e.g. "Contracting Agency inadvertently opened the Offer due to improper identification of the Offer").
(2) Opening and Recording. A Contracting Agency shall publicly open Offers including any modifications made to the Offer pursuant to OAR 137-049-0320. In the case of Invitations to Bid, to the extent practicable, the Contracting Agency shall read aloud the name of each Bidder, the Bid price(s), and such other information as the Contracting Agency considers appropriate. In the case of Requests for Proposals or voluminous Bids, if the Solicitation Document so provides, the Contracting Agency will not read Offers aloud.
(3) Availability. After Opening, the Contracting Agency shall make Bids available for public inspection, but pursuant to ORS 279C.410 Proposals are not required to be available for public inspection until after notice of intent to award is issued. In any event Contracting Agencies may withhold from disclosure those portions of an Offer that the Offeror designates as trade secrets or as confidential proprietary data in accordance with applicable law. See ORS 192.501(2); 646.461 to 646.475. To the extent the Contracting Agency determines such designation is not in accordance with applicable law, the Contracting Agency shall make those portions available for public inspection. The Offeror shall separate information designated as confidential from other nonconfidential information at the time of submitting its Offer. Prices, makes, model or catalog numbers of items offered, scheduled delivery dates, and terms of payment are not confidential, and shall be publicly available regardless of an Offeror's designation to the contrary.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.365, 279C.375 & 279C.395

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0340
Late Bids, Late Withdrawals and Late Modifications
Any Offer received after Closing is late. An Offeror's request for withdrawal or modification of an Offer received after Closing is late. A Contracting Agency shall not consider late Offers, withdrawals or modifications except as permitted in OAR 137-049-0350 or 137-049-0390.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.365, 279C.375 & 279C.395

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05
137-049-0350
Mistakes
(1) Generally. To protect the integrity of the competitive Procurement process and to assure fair treatment of Offerors, a Contracting Agency should carefully consider whether to permit waiver, correction or withdrawal of Offers for certain mistakes.
(2) Contracting Agency Treatment of Mistakes. A Contracting Agency shall not allow an Offeror to correct or withdraw an Offer for an error in judgment. If the Contracting Agency discovers certain mistakes in an Offer after Opening, but before Award of the Contract, the Contracting Agency may take the following action:
(a) A Contracting Agency may waive, or permit an Offeror to correct, a minor informality. A minor informality is a matter of form rather than substance that is evident on the face of the Offer, or an insignificant mistake that can be waived or corrected without prejudice to other Offerors. Examples of minor informalities include an Offeror's failure to:
(A) Return the correct number of Signed Offers or the correct number of other documents required by the Solicitation Document;
(B) Sign the Offer in the designated block, provided a Signature appears elsewhere in the Offer, evidencing an intent to be bound; and
(C) Acknowledge receipt of an Addendum to the Solicitation Document, provided that it is clear on the face of the Offer that the Offeror received the Addendum and intended to be bound by its terms; or the Addendum involved did not affect price, quality or delivery.
(b) A Contracting Agency may correct a clerical error if the error is evident on the face of the Offer or other documents submitted with the Offer, and the Offeror confirms the Contracting Agency's correction in Writing. A clerical error is an Offeror's error in transcribing its Offer. Unit prices shall prevail over extended prices in the event of a discrepancy between extended prices and unit prices.
(c) A Contracting Agency may permit an Offeror to withdraw an Offer based on one or more clerical errors in the Offer only if the Offeror shows with objective proof and by clear and convincing evidence:
(A) The nature of the error;
(B) That the error is not a minor informality under this subsection or an error in judgment;
(C) That the error cannot be corrected or waived under subsection (b) of this section;
(D) That the Offeror acted in good faith in submitting an Offer that contained the claimed error and in claiming that the alleged error in the Offer exists;
(E) That the Offeror acted without gross negligence in submitting an Offer that contained a claimed error;
(F) That the Offeror will suffer substantial detriment if the Contracting Agency does not grant the Offeror permission to withdraw the Offer;
(G) That the Contracting Agency's or the public's status has not changed so significantly that relief from the forfeiture will work a substantial hardship on the Contracting Agency or the public it represents; and
(H) That the Offeror promptly gave notice of the claimed error to the Contracting Agency.
(d) The criteria in subsection (2)(c) of this rule shall determine whether a Contracting Agency will permit an Offeror to withdraw its Offer after Closing. These criteria also shall apply to the question of whether a Contracting Agency will permit an Offeror to withdraw its Offer without forfeiture of its Bid bond (or other Bid or Proposal security), or without liability to the Contracting Agency based on the difference between the amount of the Offeror's Offer and the amount of the Contract actually awarded by the Contracting Agency, whether by Award to the next lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder or the best Responsive and Responsible Proposer, or by resort to a new solicitation.
(3) Rejection for Mistakes. The Contracting Agency shall reject any Offer in which a mistake is evident on the face of the Offer and the intended correct Offer is not evident or cannot be substantiated from documents submitted with the Offer.
(4) Identification of Mistakes after Award. The procedures and criteria set forth above are Offeror's only opportunity to correct mistakes or withdraw Offers because of a mistake. Following Award, an Offeror is bound by its Offer, and may withdraw its Offer or rescind a Contract entered into pursuant to this division 49 only to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.375 & 279C.395

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0360
First-Tier Subcontractors; Disclosure and Substitution
(1) Required Disclosure. Within two working hours after the Bid Closing on an ITB for a Public Improvement having a Contract Price anticipated by the Contracting Agency to exceed $100,000, all Bidders shall submit to the Contracting Agency a disclosure form as described by ORS 279C.370(2), identifying any first-tier subcontractors (those Entities that would be contracting directly with the prime contractor) that will be furnishing labor or labor and materials on the Contract, if Awarded, whose subcontract value would be equal to or greater than:
(a) Five percent of the total Contract Price, but at least $15,000; or
(b) $350,000, regardless of the percentage of the total Contract Price.
(2) Bid Closing, Disclosure Deadline and Bid Opening. For each ITB to which this rule applies, the Contracting Agency shall:
(a) Set the Bid Closing on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, and at a time between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., except that these Bid Closing restrictions do not apply to an ITB for maintenance or construction of highways, bridges or other transportation facilities, and provided that the two-hour disclosure deadline described by this rule would not then fall on a legal holiday;
(b) Open Bids publicly immediately after the Bid Closing; and
(c) Consider for Contract Award only those Bids for which the required disclosure has been submitted by the announced deadline on forms prescribed by the Contracting Agency.
(3) Bidder Instructions and Disclosure Form. For the purposes of this rule, a Contracting Agency in its solicitation shall:
(a) Prescribe the disclosure form that must be utilized, substantially in the form set forth in ORS 279C.370(2); and
(b) Provide instructions in a notice substantially similar to the following:
"Instructions for First-Tier Subcontractor Disclosure
Bidders are required to disclose information about certain first-tier subcontractors (see ORS 279C.370). Specifically, when the contract amount of a first-tier subcontractor furnishing labor or labor and materials would be greater than or equal to: (i) 5% of the project Bid, but at least $15,000; or (ii) $350,000 regardless of the percentage, the Bidder must disclose the following information about that subcontract either in its Bid submission, or within two hours after Bid Closing:
(A) The subcontractor's name;
(B) The category of Work that the subcontractor would be performing, and
(C) The dollar value of the subcontract. If the Bidder will not be using any subcontractors that are subject to the above disclosure requirements, the Bidder is required to indicate "NONE" on the accompanying form.
THE CONTRACTING AGENCY MUST REJECT A BID IF THE BIDDER FAILS TO SUBMIT THE DISCLOSURE FORM WITH THIS INFORMATION BY THE STATED DEADLINE (see OAR 137-049-0360)."
(4) Submission. A Bidder shall submit the disclosure form required by this rule either in its Bid submission, or within two working hours after Bid Closing in the manner specified by the ITB.
(5) Responsiveness. Compliance with the disclosure and submittal requirements of ORS 279C.370 and this rule is a matter of Responsiveness. Bids that are submitted by Bid Closing, but for which the disclosure submittal has not been made by the specified deadline, are not Responsive and shall not be considered for Contract Award.
(6) Contracting Agency Role. Contracting Agencies shall obtain, and make available for public inspection, the disclosure forms required by ORS 279C.370 and this rule. Contracting Agencies shall also provide copies of disclosure forms to the Bureau of Labor and Industries as required by ORS 279C.835. Contracting Agencies are not required to determine the accuracy or completeness of the information provided on disclosure forms.
(7) Substitution. Substitution of affected first-tier subcontractors shall be made only in accordance with ORS 279C.585. Contracting Agencies shall accept Written submissions filed under that statute as public records. Aside from issues involving inadvertent clerical error under ORS 279C.585, Contracting Agencies do not have a statutory role or duty to review, approve or resolve disputes concerning such substitutions. See ORS 279C.590 regarding complaints to the Construction Contractors Board on improper substitution.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.370, 279C.585, 279C.590 & 279C.835

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0370
Disqualification of Persons
(1) Authority. A Contracting Agency may disqualify a Person from consideration of Award of the Contracting Agency's Contracts after providing the Person with notice and a reasonable opportunity to be heard in accordance with sections (2) and (4) of this rule.
(a) Standards for Conduct Disqualification. As provided in ORS 279C.440, a Contracting Agency may disqualify a Person for:
(A) Conviction for the commission of a criminal offense as an incident in obtaining or attempting to obtain a public or private contract or subcontract, or in the performance of such contract or subcontract.
(B) Conviction under state or federal statutes of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, receiving stolen property or any other offense indicating a lack of business integrity or business honesty that currently, seriously and directly affects the Person's responsibility as a contractor.
(C) Conviction under state or federal antitrust statutes.
(D) Violation of a contract provision that is regarded by the Contracting Agency to be so serious as to justify Conduct Disqualification. A violation under this subsection (1)(a)(D) may include but is not limited to material failure to perform the terms of a contract or an unsatisfactory performance in accordance with the terms of the contract. However, a Person's failure to perform or unsatisfactory performance caused by acts beyond the Person's control is not a basis for Disqualification.
(b) Standards for DBE Disqualification. As provided in ORS 200.065, 200.075 or 279A.110, a Contracting Agency may disqualify a Person's right to submit an Offer or to participate in a Contract (e.g. subcontractors) as follows:
(A) For a DBE Disqualification under ORS 200.065, the Contracting Agency may disqualify a Person upon finding that:
(i) The Person fraudulently obtained or retained or attempted to obtain or retain or aided another Person to fraudulently obtain or retain or attempt to obtain or retain certification as a disadvantaged, minority, women or emerging small business enterprise; or
(ii) The Person knowingly made a false claim that any Person is qualified for certification or is certified under ORS 200.055 for the purpose of gaining a Contract or subcontract or other benefit; or
(iii) The Person has been disqualified by another Contracting Agency pursuant to ORS 200.065.
(B) For a DBE Disqualification under ORS 200.075, the Contracting Agency may disqualify a Person upon finding that:
(i) The Person has entered into an agreement representing that a disadvantaged, minority, women, or emerging small business enterprise, certified pursuant to ORS 200.055 ("Certified Enterprise"), will perform or supply materials under a Public Improvement Contract without the knowledge and consent of the Certified Enterprise; or
(ii) The Person exercises management and decision-making control over the internal operations, as defined by ORS 200.075(1)(b), of any Certified Enterprise; or
(iii) The Person uses a Certified Enterprise to perform Work under a Public Improvement Contract to meet an established Certified Enterprise goal, and such enterprise does not perform a commercially useful function, as defined by ORS 200.075(3), in performing its obligations under the contract.
(iv) If a Person is Disqualified for a DBE Disqualification under ORS 200.075, the affected Contracting Agency shall not permit such Person to participate in that Contracting Agency's Contracts.
(C) For a DBE Disqualification under ORS 279A.110, a Contracting Agency may disqualify a Person if the Contracting Agency finds that the Person discriminated against minority, women or emerging small business enterprises in awarding a subcontract under a contract with that Contracting Agency.
(2) Notice of Intent to Disqualify. The Contracting Agency shall notify the Person in Writing of a proposed Disqualification personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. This notice shall:
(a) State that the Contracting Agency intends to disqualify the Person;
(b) Set forth the reasons for the Disqualification;
(c) Include a statement of the Person's right to a hearing if requested in Writing within the time stated in the notice and that if the Contracting Agency does not receive the Person's Written request for a hearing within the time stated, the Person shall have waived its right to a hearing;
(d) Include a statement of the authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing will be held;
(e) Include a reference to the particular sections of the statutes and rules involved;
(f) State the proposed Disqualification period; and
(g) State that the Person may be represented by legal counsel.
(3) Hearing. The Contracting Agency shall schedule a hearing upon the Contracting Agency receipt of the Person's timely request. The Contracting Agency shall notify the Person of the time and place of the hearing and provide information on the procedures, right of representation and other rights related to the conduct of the hearing prior to hearing.
(4) Notice of Disqualification. The Contracting Agency will notify the Person in Writing of its Disqualification, personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice shall contain:
(a) The effective date and period of Disqualification;
(b) The grounds for Disqualification; and
(c) A statement of the Person's appeal rights and applicable appeal deadlines. For a Conduct Disqualification or a DBE Disqualification under ORS 279A.110, the disqualified person must notify the Contracting Agency in Writing within three business Days after receipt of the Contracting Agency's notice of Disqualification if the Person intends to appeal the Contracting Agency's decision.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 200.065, 200.075, 279C.440, 279C.445, 279C.450 & 279A.110

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06
137-049-0380
Bid or Proposal Evaluation Criteria
(1) General. A Public Improvement Contract,
if Awarded, must be Awarded to the Responsible Bidder submitting the lowest Responsive
Bid, or to the Responsible Proposer submitting the best Responsive Proposal. (See
OAR 137-049-0390, and Rules for Alternative Contracting Methods at 137-049-0600
to 137-049-0690.)
(2) Bid Evaluation Criteria.
Invitations to Bid may solicit lump-sum Offers, unit-price Offers or a combination
of the two.
(a) Lump Sum. If the ITB
requires a lump-sum Bid, without additive or deductive alternates, or if the Contracting
Agency elects not to award additive or deductive alternates, Bids must be compared
on the basis of lump-sum prices, or lump-sum base Bid prices, as applicable. If
the ITB calls for a lump-sum base Bid, plus additive or deductive alternates, the
total Bid price must be calculated by adding to or deducting from the base Bid those
alternates selected by the Contracting Agency, for the purpose of comparing Bids.
(b) Unit Price. If the Bid
includes unit pricing for estimated quantities, the total Bid price must be calculated
by multiplying the estimated quantities by the unit prices submitted by the Bidder,
and adjusting for any additive or deductive alternates selected by the Contracting
Agency, for the purpose of comparing Bids. Contracting Agencies shall specify within
the Solicitation Document the estimated quantity of the procurement to be used for
determination of the low Bidder. In the event of mathematical discrepancies between
unit price and any extended price calculations submitted by the Bidder, the unit
price governs. (See OAR 137-049-0350(2)(b).)
(3) Proposal Evaluation Criteria.
If the Contracting Agency's Contract Review Authority has exempted the Procurement
of a Public Improvement from the competitive bidding requirements of ORS 279C.335(1),
and has directed the Contracting Agency to use an Alternative Contracting Method
under 279C.335(4), the Contracting Agency shall set forth the evaluation criteria
in the Solicitation Documents. (See OAR 137-049-0640, 137-049-0650, 137-049-0670,
137-049-0690, ORS 279C.335 and 279C.405.)
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065, OL 2011,
ch 458
Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.335,
OL 2011, ch 458
Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 10-2011, f. 11-29-11,
cert. ef. 1-1-12; DOJ 10-2014(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14; Administrative
correction, 1-27-15; DOJ 2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15
137-049-0390
Offer Evaluation and Award; Determination of Responsibility
(1) General. If Awarded, the Contracting Agency shall Award the Contract to the Responsible Bidder submitting the lowest, Responsive Bid or the Responsible Proposer or Proposers submitting the best, Responsive Proposal or Proposals, provided that such Person is not listed by the Construction Contractors Board as disqualified to hold a Public Improvement Contract (ORS 279C.375(3)(a)) or is ineligible for Award as a nonresident education service district (ORS 279C.325). The Contracting Agency may Award by item, groups of items or the entire Offer provided such Award is consistent with the Solicitation Document and in the public interest. Where Award is based on competitive Bids, ORS 279C.375(5) permits multiple contract awards when specified in the ITB.
(2) Determination of Responsibility. Offerors are required to demonstrate their ability to perform satisfactorily under a Contract. Before Awarding a Contract, the Contracting Agency must have information that indicates that the Offeror meets the standards of responsibility set forth in ORS 279C.375(3)(b). To be a Responsible Offeror, the Contracting Agency must determine that the Offeror:
(a) Has available the appropriate financial, material, equipment, facility and personnel resources and expertise, or ability to obtain the resources and expertise, necessary to meet all contractual responsibilities;
(b) Has completed previous contracts of a similar nature with a satisfactory record of performance. A satisfactory record of performance means that, to the extent the costs associated with and time available to perform a previous contract were within the Offeror’s control, the Offeror stayed within the time and budget allotted for the procurement and otherwise performed the contract in a satisfactory manner. A Contracting Agency should carefully scrutinize an Offeror's record of contract performance if the Offeror is or recently has been materially deficient in contract performance. In reviewing the Offeror's performance, the Contracting Agency should determine whether the Offeror's deficient performance was expressly excused under the terms of contract, or whether the Offeror took appropriate corrective action. The Contracting Agency may review the Offeror's performance on both private and Public Contracts in determining the Offeror's record of contract performance. The Contracting Agency shall make its basis for determining an Offeror not Responsible under this paragraph part of the Solicitation file;
(c) Has a satisfactory record of integrity. An Offeror may lack integrity if a Contracting Agency determines the Offeror demonstrates a lack of business ethics such as violation of state environmental laws or false certifications made to a Contracting Agency. A Contracting Agency may find an Offeror not Responsible based on the lack of integrity of any Person having influence or control over the Offeror (such as a key employee of the Offeror that has the authority to significantly influence the Offeror's performance of the Contract or a parent company, predecessor or successor Person). The standards for Conduct Disqualification under OAR 137-049-0370 may be used to determine an Offeror's integrity. A Contracting Agency may find an Offeror non-responsible based on previous convictions of offenses related to obtaining or attempting to obtain a contract or subcontract or in connection with the Offeror’s performance of a contract or subcontract. The Contracting Agency shall make its basis for determining that an Offeror is not Responsible under this paragraph part of the Solicitation file;
(d) Is legally qualified to contract with the Contracting Agency; and
(e) Has supplied all necessary information in connection with the inquiry concerning responsibility. If the Offeror fails to promptly supply information requested by the Contracting Agency concerning responsibility, the Contracting Agency shall base the determination of responsibility upon any available information, or may find the Offeror not Responsible.
(3) Documenting Agency Determinations. Contracting Agencies shall document their compliance with ORS 279C.375(3) and the above sections of this rule on a Responsibility Determination Form substantially as set forth in 279.375(3)(c), and file that form with the Construction Contractors Board within 30 days after Contract Award.
(4) Contracting Agency Evaluation. The Contracting Agency shall evaluate an Offer only as set forth in the Solicitation Document and in accordance with applicable law. The Contracting Agency shall not evaluate an Offer using any other requirement or criterion.
(5) Offeror Submissions.
(a) The Contracting Agency may require an Offeror to submit Product Samples, Descriptive Literature, technical data, or other material and may also require any of the following prior to Award:
(A) Demonstration, inspection or testing of a product prior to Award for characteristics such as compatibility, quality or workmanship;
(B) Examination of such elements as appearance or finish; or
(C) Other examinations to determine whether the product conforms to Specifications.
(b) The Contracting Agency shall evaluate product acceptability only in accordance with the criteria disclosed in the Solicitation Document to determine that a product is acceptable. The Contracting Agency shall reject an Offer providing any product that does not meet the Solicitation Document requirements. A Contracting Agency's rejection of an Offer because it offers nonconforming Work or materials is not Disqualification and is not appealable under ORS 279C.445.
(6) Evaluation of Bids. The Contracting Agency shall use only objective criteria to evaluate Bids as set forth in the ITB. The Contracting Agency shall evaluate Bids to determine which Responsible Offeror offers the lowest Responsive Bid.
(a) Nonresident Bidders. In determining the lowest Responsive Bid, the Contracting Agency shall, in accordance with OAR 137-046-0310, add a percentage increase to the Bid of a nonresident Bidder equal to the percentage, if any, of the preference given to that Bidder in the state in which the Bidder resides.
(b) Clarifications. In evaluating Bids, a Contracting Agency may seek information from a Bidder only to clarify the Bidder's Bid. Such clarification shall not vary, contradict or supplement the Bid. A Bidder must submit Written and Signed clarifications and such clarifications shall become part of the Bidder's Bid.
(c) Negotiation Prohibited. The Contracting Agency shall not negotiate scope of Work or other terms or conditions under an Invitation to Bid process prior to Award.
(7) Evaluation of Proposals. See OAR 137-049-0650 regarding rules applicable to Requests for Proposals.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.335, 279C.365, 279C.375 & 279C.395

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0395
Notice of Intent to Award
(1) Notice. At least seven days before the Award of a Public Improvement Contract, the Contracting Agency shall issue to each Bidder (pursuant to ORS 279C.375(2)) and each Proposer (pursuant to 279C.410(7)), or post electronically or otherwise, a notice of the Contracting Agency's intent to Award the Contract. This requirement does not apply to Award of a small (under $5,000) or intermediate (informal competitive quotes) Public Improvement Contract awarded under 279C.335(1)(c) or (d).
(2) Form and Manner of Posting. The form and manner of posting notice shall conform to customary practices within the Contracting Agency's procurement system, and may be made electronically.
(3) Finalizing Award. The Contracting Agency's Award shall not be final until the later of the following:
(a) Seven Days after the date of the notice, unless the Solicitation Document provided a different period for protest; or
(b) The Contracting Agency provides a Written response to all timely-filed protests that denies the protest and affirms the Award.
(4) Prior Notice Impractical. Posting of notice of intent to award shall not be required when the Contracting Agency determines that it is impractical due to unusual time constraints in making prompt Award for its immediate procurement needs, documents the Contract file as to the reasons for that determination, and posts notice of that action as soon as reasonably practical.
Stat. Auth,: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.375

Hist.: DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08
137-049-0400
Documentation of Award; Availability of Award Decisions
(1) Basis of Award. After Award, the Contracting Agency shall make a record showing the basis for determining the successful Offeror part of the Contracting Agency's solicitation file.
(2) Contents of Award Record for Bids. The Contracting Agency's record shall include:
(a) All submitted Bids;
(b) Completed Bid tabulation sheet; and
(c) Written justification for any rejection of lower Bids.
(3) Contents of Award Record for Proposals. Where the use of Requests for Proposals is authorized as set forth in OAR 137-049-0650, the Contracting Agency's record shall include:
(a) All submitted Proposals.
(b) The completed evaluation of the Proposals;
(c) Written justification for any rejection of higher scoring Proposals or for failing to meet mandatory requirements of the Request for Proposal; and
(d) If the Contracting Agency permitted negotiations in accordance with OAR 137-049-0650, the Contracting Agency's completed evaluation of the initial Proposals and the Contracting Agency's completed evaluation of final Proposals.
(4) Contract Document. The Contracting Agency shall deliver a fully executed copy of the final Contract to the successful Offeror.
(5) Bid Tabulations and Award Summaries. Upon request of any Person the Contracting Agency shall provide tabulations of Awarded Bids or evaluation summaries of Proposals for a nominal charge which may be payable in advance. Requests must contain the Solicitation Document number and, if requested, be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Contracting Agencies may also provide tabulations of Bids and Proposals Awarded on designated Web sites or on the Contracting Agency's Electronic Procurement System.
(6) Availability of Solicitation Files. The Contracting Agency shall make completed solicitation files available for public review at the Contracting Agency.
(7) Copies from Solicitation Files. Any Person may obtain copies of material from solicitation files upon payment of a reasonable copying charge.
(8) Minority, Women Emerging Small Business. State Contracting Agencies shall provide timely notice of Contract Award to the Advocate for Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business if the estimated Contract Price exceeds $5,000. See ORS 200.035.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.365 & 279C.375

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0410
Time for Contracting Agency Acceptance; Extension
(1) Time for Offer Acceptance. An Offeror's Bid, or Proposal submitted as a Firm Offer (see OAR 137-049-0280), is irrevocable, valid and binding on the Offeror for not less than 30 Days from Closing unless otherwise specified in the Solicitation Document.
(2) Extension of Acceptance Time. A Contracting Agency may request, orally or in Writing, that Offerors extend, in Writing, the time during which the Contracting Agency may consider and accept their Offer(s). If an Offeror agrees to such extension, the Offer shall continue as a Firm Offer, irrevocable, valid and binding on the Offeror for the agreed-upon extension period.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.375

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05
137-049-0420
Negotiation With Bidders Prohibited
(1) Bids. Except as permitted by ORS 279C.340 and OAR 137-049-0430 when all bids exceed the cost estimate, a Contracting Agency shall not negotiate with any Bidder prior to Contract Award. After Award of the Contract, the Contracting Agency and Contractor may modify the resulting Contract only by change order or amendment to the Contract in accordance with 137-049-0910.
(2) Requests for Proposals. A Contracting Agency may conduct discussions or negotiations with Proposers only in accordance with the requirements of OAR 137-049-0650.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.340 & 279C.375

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06
137-049-0430
Negotiation When Bids Exceed Cost Estimate
(1) Generally. In accordance with ORS 279C.340, if all Responsive Bids from Responsible Bidders on a competitively Bid Project exceed the Contracting Agency's Cost Estimate, prior to Contract Award the Contracting Agency may negotiate Value Engineering and Other Options with the Responsible Bidder submitting the lowest, Responsive Bid in an attempt to bring the Project within the Contracting Agency's Cost Estimate. The subcontractor disclosure and substitution requirements of OAR 137-049-0360 do not apply to negotiations under this rule.
(2) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this administrative rule:
(a) "Cost Estimate" means the Contracting Agency's most recent pre-Bid, good faith assessment of anticipated Contract costs, consisting either of an estimate of an architect, engineer or other qualified professional, or confidential cost calculation work sheets, where available, and otherwise consisting of formal planning or budgetary documents.
(b) "Other Options" means those items generally considered appropriate for negotiation in the RFP process, relating to the details of Contract performance as specified in OAR 137-049-0650, but excluding any material requirements previously announced in the solicitation process that would likely affect the field of competition.
(c) "Project" means a Public Improvement.
(d) "Value Engineering" means the identification of alternative methods, materials or systems which provide for comparable function at reduced initial or life-time cost. It includes proposed changes to the plans, Specifications, or other Contract requirements which may be made, consistent with industry practice, under the original Contract by mutual agreement in order to take advantage of potential cost savings without impairing the essential functions or characteristics of the Public Improvement. Cost savings include those resulting from life cycle costing, which may either increase or decrease absolute costs over varying time periods.
(3) Rejection of Bids. In determining whether all Responsive Bids from Responsible Bidders exceed the Cost Estimate, only those Bids that have been formally rejected, or Bids from Bidders who have been formally disqualified by the Contracting Agency, shall be excluded from consideration.
(4) Scope of Negotiations. Contracting Agencies shall not proceed with Contract Award if the scope of the Project is significantly changed from the original Bid. The scope is considered to have been significantly changed if the pool of competition would likely have been affected by the change; that is, if other Bidders would have been expected by the Contracting Agency to participate in the Bidding process had the change been made during the solicitation process rather than during negotiation. This rule shall not be construed to prohibit resolicitation of trade subcontracts.
(5) Discontinuing Negotiations. The Contracting Agency may discontinue negotiations at any time, and shall do so if it appears to the Contracting Agency that the apparent low Bidder is not negotiating in good faith or fails to share cost and pricing information upon request. Failure to rebid any portion of the project, or to obtain subcontractor pricing information upon request, shall be considered a lack of good faith.
(6) Limitation. Negotiations may be undertaken only with the lowest Responsive, Responsible Bidder pursuant to ORS 279C.340. That statute does not provide any additional authority to further negotiate with Bidders next in line for Contract Award.
(7) Public Records. To the extent that a Bidder's records used in Contract negotiations under ORS 279C.340 are public records, they are exempt from disclosure until after the negotiated Contract has been awarded or the negotiation process has been terminated, at which time they are subject to disclosure pursuant to the provisions of the Oregon Public Records Law, ORS 192.410 to 192.505.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279C.340 & 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.340

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0440
Rejection of Offers
(1) Rejection of an Offer.
(a) A Contracting Agency may reject any Offer upon finding that to accept the Offer may impair the integrity of the Procurement process or that rejecting the Offer is in the public interest.
(b) The Contracting Agency shall reject an Offer upon the Contracting Agency's finding that the Offer:
(A) Is contingent upon the Contracting Agency's acceptance of terms and conditions (including Specifications) that differ from the Solicitation Document;
(B) Takes exception to terms and conditions (including Specifications);
(C) Attempts to prevent public disclosure of matters in contravention of the terms and conditions of Solicitation Document or in contravention of applicable law;
(D) Offers Work that fails to meet the Specifications of the Solicitation Document;
(E) Is late;
(F) Is not in substantial compliance with the Solicitation Documents;
(G) Is not in substantial compliance with all prescribed public solicitation procedures.
(c) The Contracting Agency shall reject an Offer upon the Contracting Agency's finding that the Offeror:
(A) Has not been prequalified under ORS 279C.430 and the Contracting Agency required mandatory prequalification;
(B) Has been Disqualified;
(C) Has been declared ineligible under ORS 279C.860 by the Commissioner of Bureau of Labor and Industries and the Contract is for a Public Work;
(D) Is listed as not qualified by the Construction Contractors Board, if the Contract is for a Public Improvement;
(E) Has not met the requirements of ORS 279A.105 if required by the Solicitation Document;
(F) Has not submitted properly executed Bid or Proposal security as required by the Solicitation Document;
(G) Has failed to provide the certification required under section 3 of this rule;
(H) Is not Responsible. See OAR 137-049-0390(2) regarding Contracting Agency determination that the Offeror has met statutory standards of responsibility.
(2) Form of Business. For purposes of this rule, the Contracting Agency may investigate any Person submitting an Offer. The investigation may include that Person's officers, Directors, owners, affiliates, or any other Person acquiring ownership of the Person to determine application of this rule or to apply the Disqualification provisions of ORS 279C.440 to 279C.450 and OAR 137-049-0370.
(3) Certification of Non-Discrimination. The Offeror shall certify and deliver to the Contracting Agency Written certification, as part of the Offer that the Offeror has not discriminated and will not discriminate against minority, women or emerging small business enterprises in obtaining any required subcontracts. Failure to do so shall be grounds for disqualification.
(4) Rejection of all Offers. A Contracting Agency may reject all Offers for good cause upon the Contracting Agency's Written finding it is in the public interest to do so. The Contracting Agency shall notify all Offerors of the rejection of all Offers, along with the good cause justification and finding.
(5) Criteria for Rejection of All Offers. The Contracting Agency may reject all Offers upon a Written finding that:
(a) The content of or an error in the Solicitation Document, or the solicitation process unnecessarily restricted competition for the Contract;
(b) The price, quality or performance presented by the Offerors is too costly or of insufficient quality to justify acceptance of the Offer;
(c) Misconduct, error, or ambiguous or misleading provisions in the Solicitation Document threaten the fairness and integrity of the competitive process;
(d) Causes other than legitimate market forces threaten the integrity of the competitive Procurement process. These causes include, but are not limited to, those that tend to limit competition such as restrictions on competition, collusion, corruption, unlawful anti-competitive conduct and inadvertent or intentional errors in the Solicitation Document;
(e) The Contracting Agency cancels the solicitation in accordance with OAR 137-049-0270; or
(f) Any other circumstance indicating that Awarding the Contract would not be in the public interest.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.375, 279C.380, 279C.395, 279A.105 & 279A.110

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0450
Protest of Contractor Selection, Contract Award
(1) Purpose. An adversely affected or aggrieved Offeror must exhaust all avenues of administrative review and relief before seeking judicial review of the Contracting Agency's Contractor selection or Contract Award decision.
(2) Notice of Competitive Range. Unless otherwise provided in the RFP, when the competitive Proposal process is authorized under OAR 137-049-0650, the Contracting Agency shall provide Written notice to all Proposers of the Contracting Agency's determination of the Proposers included in the Competitive Range. The Contracting Agency's notice of the Proposers included in the Competitive Range shall not be final until the later of the following:
(a) 10 Days after the date of the notice, unless otherwise provided therein; or
(b) Until the Contracting Agency provides a Written response to all timely-filed protests that denies the protest and affirms the notice of the Proposers included in the Competitive Range.
(3) Notice of Intent to Award. The Contracting Agency shall provide Written notice to all Offerors of the Contracting Agency's intent to Award the Contract, as provided by OAR 137-049-0395.
(4) Right to Protest Award.
(a) An adversely affected or aggrieved Offeror may submit to the Contracting Agency a Written protest of the Contracting Agency's intent to Award within seven Days after issuance of the notice of intent to Award the Contract, unless a different protest period is provided under the Solicitation Document.
(b) The Offeror's protest must be in Writing and must specify the grounds upon which the protest is based.
(c) An Offeror is adversely affected or aggrieved only if the Offeror is eligible for Award of the Contract as the Responsible Bidder submitting the lowest Responsive Bid or the Responsible Proposer submitting the best Responsive Proposal and is next in line for Award, i.e., the protesting Offeror must claim that all lower Bidders or higher-scored Proposers are ineligible for Award:
(A) Because their Offers were nonresponsive; or
(B) The Contracting Agency committed a substantial violation of a provision in the Solicitation Document or of an applicable Procurement statute or administrative rule, and the protesting Offeror was unfairly evaluated and would have, but for such substantial violation, been the Responsible Bidder offering the lowest Bid or the Responsible Proposer offering the highest-ranked Proposal.
(d) The Contracting Agency shall not consider a protest submitted after the time period established in this rule or such different period as may be provided in the Solicitation Document. A Proposer may not protest a Contracting Agency's decision not to increase the size of the Competitive Range above the size of the Competitive Range set forth in the RFP.
(5) Right to Protest Competitive Range.
(a) An adversely affected or aggrieved Proposer may submit to the Contracting Agency a Written protest of the Contracting Agency's decision to exclude the Proposer from the Competitive Range within seven Days after issuance of the notice of the Competitive Range, unless a different protest period is provided under the Solicitation Document. (See procedural requirements for the use of RFPs at OAR 137-049-0650.)
(b) The Proposer's protest shall be in Writing and must specify the grounds upon which the protest is based.
(c) A Proposer is adversely affected only if the Proposer is responsible and submitted a Responsive Proposal and is eligible for inclusion in the Competitive Range, i.e., the protesting Proposer must claim it is eligible for inclusion in the Competitive Range if all ineligible higher-scoring Proposers are removed from consideration, and that those ineligible Proposers are ineligible for inclusion in the Competitive Range because:
(A) Their Proposals were not responsive; or
(B) The Contracting Agency committed a substantial violation of a provision in the RFP or of an applicable Procurement statute or administrative rule, and the protesting Proposer was unfairly evaluated and would have, but for such substantial violation, been included in the Competitive Range.
(d) The Contracting Agency shall not consider a protest submitted after the time period established in this rule or such different period as may be provided in the Solicitation Document. A Proposer may not protest a Contracting Agency's decision not to increase the size of the Competitive Range above the size of the Competitive Range set forth in the RFP.
(6) Authority to Resolve Protests. The head of the Contracting Agency, or such Person's designee, may settle or resolve a Written protest submitted in accordance with the requirements of this rule.
(7) Decision. If a protest is not settled, the head of the Contracting Agency, or such Person's designee, shall promptly issue a Written decision on the protest. Judicial review of this decision will be available if provided by statute.
(8) Award. The successful Offeror shall promptly execute the Contract after the Award is final. The Contracting Agency shall execute the Contract only after it has obtained all applicable required documents and approvals.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.375, 279C.380, 279C.385 & 279C.460

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06
137-049-0460
Performance and Payment Security; Waiver
(1) Public Improvement Contracts. Unless the required performance bond is waived under ORS 279C.380(1)(a), excused in cases of emergency under 279C.380(4), or unless the Contracting Agency's Contract Review Authority exempts a Contract or classes of contracts from the required performance bond and payment bond pursuant to 279C.390, the Contractor shall execute and deliver to the Contracting Agency a performance bond and a payment bond each in a sum equal to the Contract Price for all Public Improvement Contracts. This requirement applies only to Public Improvement Contracts with a value, estimated by the Contracting Agency, of more than $100,000 or, in the case of Contracts for highways, bridges and other transportation projects, more than $50,000. See 279C.380(5). Under 279C.390(3)(b) the Director of the Oregon Department of Transportation may reduce the performance bond amount for contracts financed from the proceeds of bonds issued under 367.620(3)(a). Also see OAR 137-049-0815 and BOLI rules at 839-025-0015 regarding the separate requirement for a Public Works bond.
(2) Other Construction Contracts. A Contracting Agency may require performance security for other construction Contracts that are not Public Improvement Contracts. Such requirements shall be expressly set forth in the Solicitation Document.
(3) Requirement for Surety Bond. The Contracting Agency shall accept only a performance bond furnished by a surety company authorized to do business in Oregon unless otherwise specified in the Solicitation Document (i.e., the Contracting Agency may accept a cashier's check or certified check in lieu or all or a portion of the required performance bond if specified in the Solicitation Document). The payment bond must be furnished by a surety company authorized to do business in Oregon, and in an amount equal to the full Contract Price.
(4) Time for Submission. The apparent successful Offeror must promptly furnish the required performance security upon the Contracting Agency's request. If the Offeror fails to furnish the performance security as requested, the Contracting Agency may reject the Offer and Award the Contract to the Responsible Bidder with the next lowest Responsive Bid or the Responsible Proposer with the next highest-scoring Responsive Proposal, and, at the Contracting Agency's discretion, the Offeror shall forfeit its Bid or Proposal security.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.375, 279C.380 & 279C.390

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06
137-049-0470
Substitute Contractor
If the Contractor provided a performance bond, the Contracting Agency may afford the Contractor's surety the opportunity to provide a substitute contractor to complete performance of the Contract. A substitute contractor shall perform all remaining Contract Work and comply with all terms and conditions of the Contract, including the provisions of the performance bond and the payment bond. Such substitute performance does not involve the Award of a new Contract and shall not be subject to the competitive Procurement provisions of ORS Chapter 279C.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.365, 279C.370, 279C.375, 279C.380 & 279C.390

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05
137-049-0490
Foreign Contractor
If the Contract Price exceeds $10,000 and the Contractor is a Foreign Contractor, the Contractor shall promptly report to the Oregon Department of Revenue on forms provided by the Department of Revenue, the Contract Price, terms of payment, Contract duration and such other information as the Department of Revenue may require before final payment can be made on the Contract. A copy of the report shall be forwarded to the Contracting Agency. The Contracting Agency Awarding the Contract shall satisfy itself that the above requirements have been complied with before it issues final payment on the Contract.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279A.120

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05

Alternative Contracting Methods

137-049-0600
Purpose
OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 are
intended to provide guidance to Contracting Agencies regarding the use of Alternative
Contracting Methods for Public Improvement Contracts, as may be directed by a Contracting
Agency's Contract Review Authority under ORS 279C.335. These Alternative Contracting
Methods include, but are not limited to, the following forms of contracting: Design-Build,
Energy Savings Performance Contract and the Construction Manager/General Contractor
Method. To the extent any such Alternative Contracting Methods are utilized within
the competitive bidding process set forth in 279C.335(1), these OAR 137-049-0600
to 137-049-0690 rules are advisory only and may be used or referred to by a Contracting
Agency in whole, in part or not at all, within the discretion of the Contracting
Agency. As to ESPC contracting, these 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 rules implement
the requirements of ORS 279C.335 pertaining to the adoption of Model Rules appropriate
for use by all Contracting Agencies to govern the procedures for entering into ESPCs.
As to contracting for Construction Manager/General Contractor Services requiring
an exemption from competitive bidding under 279C.335(2) , OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690
include mandatory and optional provisions pertaining to the procurement of Construction
Manager/General Contractor Services, pursuant to the requirements of ORS 279C.337.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279C.335, 279A.065
& 351.086
Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.335,
279C.337, 279A.065 & 351.086
Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 10-2014(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14; Administrative
correction, 1-27-15; DOJ 2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15
137-049-0610
Definitions for Alternative Contracting
Methods
The following definitions shall apply
to these OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 rules, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1) Affiliate has the meaning
set forth in ORS 279C.332(1).
(2) Alternative Contracting
Methods means innovative techniques for procuring or performing Public Improvement
Contracts, utilizing processes other than the traditional methods involved in the
design-bid-build construction contracting method (with Award of a Public Improvement
Contract based solely on price, in which a final design is issued with formal Bid
documents, construction Work is obtained by sealed Bid Awarded to the Responsible
Bidder submitting the lowest Responsive Bid, and the project is built in accordance
with those documents). In industry practice, such methods commonly include variations
of Design-Build contracting, CM/GC forms of contracting and ESPCs, which are specifically
addressed in these OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 rules. These methods also include
other developing techniques, which include but are not limited to general "performance
contracting," "cost plus time" contracting (as more particularly described in ORS
279C.332(3)(b)(D)(iii)(I)) and “qualifications plus project approach”
contracting (as more particularly described in ORS 279C.332(3)(b)(D)(iii)(II)).
Procedural requirements for these methods are identified in these OAR 137-049-0600
to 137-049-0690 rules, when a Contracting Agency uses an Alternative Contracting
Method in a procurement that requires an exemption from competitive bidding under
ORS 279C.335(2) or in an ESPC procurement that is excepted from competitive bidding
under ORS 279.335(1).
(3) Construction Manager/General
Contractor (or "CM/GC") has the meaning set forth in ORS 279C.332(2).
(4) Construction Manager/General
Contractor Method (or “CM/GC Method”) means the Alternative Contracting
Method which involves a Contracting Agency’s selection of a CM/GC to perform
CM/GC Services for a project or projects.
(5) Construction Manager/General
Contractor Services (or “CM/GC Services”) has the meaning set forth
in ORS 279C.332(3).
(6) Design-Build means a
form of Procurement that results in a Public Improvement Contract in which the construction
Contractor also provides or obtains specified design services, participates on the
project team with the Contracting Agency, and manages both design and construction.
In this form of Contract, a single Person provides the Contracting Agency with all
of the Personal Services and construction Work necessary to both design and construct
the project.
(7) Early Work means construction
services, construction materials and other Work authorized by the parties to be
performed under the CM/GC Contract in advance of the establishment of the GMP, fixed
price or other maximum, not-to-exceed price for the project. Permissible Early Work
shall be limited to early procurement of materials and supplies, early release of
bid or proposal packages for site development and related activities, and any other
advance Work related to important components of the project for which performance
prior to establishment of the GMP will materially and positively affect the development
or completion of the project.
(8) Energy Conservation Measures
(or "ECMs") (also known as "energy efficiency measures") means, as used in ESPC
Procurement, any equipment, fixture or furnishing to be added to or used in an existing
building or structure, and any repair, alteration or improvement to an existing
building or structure that is designed to reduce energy consumption and related
costs, including those costs related to electrical energy, thermal energy, water
consumption, waste disposal, and future contract-labor costs and materials costs
associated with maintenance of the building or structure. For purposes of these
OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 rules, use of either or both of the terms "building"
or "structure" shall be deemed to include existing energy, water and waste disposal
systems connected or related to or otherwise used for the building or structure
when such system(s) are included in the project, either as part of the project together
with the building or structure, or when such system(s) are the focus of the project.
Maintenance services are not Energy Conservation Measures, for purposes of these
137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 rules.
(9) Energy Savings Guarantee
means the energy savings and performance guarantee provided by the ESCO under an
ESPC Procurement, which guarantees to the Contracting Agency that certain energy
savings and performance will be achieved for the project covered by the RFP, through
the installation and implementation of the agreed-upon ECMs for the project. The
Energy Savings Guarantee shall include, but shall not be limited to, the specific
energy savings and performance levels and amounts that will be guaranteed, provisions
related to the financial remedies available to the Contracting Agency in the event
the guaranteed savings and performance are not achieved, the specific conditions
under which the ESCO will guarantee energy savings and performance (including the
specific responsibilities of the Contracting Agency after final completion of the
design and construction phase), and the term of the energy savings and performance
guarantee.
(10) Energy Savings Performance
Contract (or "ESPC") means a Public Improvement Contract between a Contracting Agency
and a Qualified Energy Service Company for the identification, evaluation, recommendation,
design and construction of Energy Conservation Measures, including a Design-Build
Contract, that guarantee energy savings or performance.
(11) General Conditions Work
(or “GC Work”) means a general grouping of project Work required to
support construction operations on the project that is not included within the Contractor’s
overhead or fee.
(12) Guaranteed Maximum Price
(or "GMP") has the meaning set forth in ORS 279C.332(4), pertaining to procurements
for CM/GC Services. For Alternative Contracting Methods other than the CM/GC Method,
“Guaranteed Maximum Price” or “GMP” means the total maximum
price provided to the Contracting Agency by the Contractor and accepted by the Contracting
Agency that includes all reimbursable costs and fees for completion of the Contract
Work and any particularly identified contingency amounts, as defined by the Public
Improvement Contract.
(13) Measurement and Verification
(or "M & V") means, as used in ESPC Procurement, the examination of installed
ECMs using the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol ("IPMVP"),
or any other comparable protocol or process, to monitor and verify the operation
of energy-using systems pre-installation and post-installation.
(14) Project Development
Plan means a secondary phase of Personal Services and Work performed by an ESCO
in an ESPC Procurement when the ESCO performs more extensive design of the agreed-upon
ECMs for the project, provides the detailed provisions of the ESCO's Energy Savings
Guarantee that the fully installed and commissioned ECMs will achieve a particular
energy savings level for the building or structure, and prepares an overall report
or plan summarizing the ESCO's Work during this secondary phase of the Work and
otherwise explaining how the agreed-upon ECMs will be implemented during the design
and construction phase of the Work; The term "Project Development Plan" can also
refer to the report or plan provided by the ESCO at the conclusion of this phase
of the Work.
(15) Qualified Energy Service
Company (or "ESCO") means, as used in ESPC Procurement, a company, firm or other
legal Person with the following characteristics: demonstrated technical, operational,
financial and managerial capabilities to design, install, construct, commission,
manage, measure and verify, and otherwise implement Energy Conservation Measures
and other Work on building systems or building components that are directly related
to the ECMs in existing buildings and structures; a prior record of successfully
performing ESPCs on projects involving existing buildings and structures that are
comparable to the project under consideration by the Contracting Agency; and the
financial strength to effectively guarantee energy savings and performance under
the ESPC for the project in question, or the ability to secure necessary financial
measures to effectively guarantee energy savings under an ESPC for that project.
(16) Savings has the meaning
set forth in ORS 279C.337(4), pertaining to CM/GC Services procurements. For other
Alternative Contracting Methods, “Savings” means a positive difference
between a Guaranteed Maximum Price or other maximum not-to-exceed price set forth
in a Public Improvement Contract and the actual cost of the Contractor’s performance
of the Contract Work payable by the Contracting Agency under the terms of the Contract,
including costs for which a Contracting Agency reimburses a Contractor and fees,
profits or other payments the Contractor earns.
(17) Technical Energy Audit
means, as used in ESPC Procurement, the initial phase of Personal Services to be
performed by an ESCO that includes a detailed evaluation of an existing building
or structure, an evaluation of the potential ECMs that could be effectively utilized
at the facility, and preparation of a report to the Contracting Agency of the ESCO's
Findings during this initial phase of the Work; the term "Technical Energy Audit"
can also refer to the report provided by the ESCO at the conclusion of this phase
of the Work.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065
Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.332,
279C.335 & 279A.065
Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 10-2014(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14; Administrative correction, 1-27-15; DOJ
2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15
137-049-0620
Use of Alternative Contracting Methods
(1) Competitive Bidding Exemptions.
ORS Chapter 279C requires a competitive bidding process for Public Improvement Contracts,
unless a statutory exception applies, a class of Contracts has been exempted from
the competitive bidding process, or an individual Contract has been exempted from
the competitive bidding process, in accordance with 279C.335 and any applicable
Contracting Agency administrative rules. Use of Alternative Contracting Methods
may be directed by the Contracting Agency if that use is within the competitive
bidding process, if feasible, or through an available statutory exception to the
competitive bidding process. Use of Alternative Contracting Methods must be directed
through a Contracting Agency's Contract Review Authority, however, when use of the
Alternative Contracting Method requires an exemption to the prescribed competitive
bidding requirement of 279C.335. In any of these circumstances, use of Alternative
Contracting Methods must be justified in accordance with any applicable Code and
Contracting Agency requirements and, if required, these OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690
rules. See 137-049-0630 regarding required Findings and restrictions on exemptions
from the competitive bidding requirement under ORS 279C.335.
(2) Energy Savings Performance
Contracts. ESPCs are excepted from the competitive bidding requirements for Public
Improvement Contracts pursuant to ORS 279C.335(1)(f), if the Contracting Agency
complies with the procedures set forth in OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 or parallel
administrative rules meeting the requirements of ORS 279A.065 related to the solicitation,
negotiation and contracting for ESPC Work. If those procedures are not followed,
an ESPC procurement may still be exempted from competitive bidding requirements
by following the general exemption procedures within 279C.335.
(3) Post-Project Evaluation.
ORS 279C.355 requires that the Contracting Agency prepare a formal post-project
evaluation of Public Improvement projects in excess of $100,000 when the Contracting
Agency does not use the competitive bidding process required by 279C.335. The purpose
of this evaluation is to determine whether it was actually in the Contracting Agency's
best interest to use an Alternative Contracting Method outside the competitive bidding
process. The evaluation must be delivered to the Contracting Agency's Contract Review
Authority within 30 Days of the date the Contracting Agency "accepts" the Public
Improvement project, which event is typically defined in the Contract. In the absence
of such definition, acceptance of the Project occurs on the later of the date of
final payment or the date of final completion of the Contract Work. ORS 279C.355
describes the timing and content of this evaluation, with three required elements:
(a) Financial information,
consisting of cost estimates, any Guaranteed Maximum Price, changes and actual costs;
(b) A narrative description
of successes and failures during design, engineering and construction; and
(c) An objective assessment
of the use of the Alternative Contracting Method as compared to the exemption Findings.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279C.335 & 279A.065
Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.335,
279A.065, 279C.355 & 351.086
Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09,
cert. ef. 1-1-10; DOJ 10-2014(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14; Administrative
correction, 1-27-15; DOJ 2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15
137-049-0630
Findings, Notice and Hearing
(1) Cost Savings and Other Substantial
Benefits Factors. When Findings are required under ORS 279C.335 to exempt a Contract
or class of Contracts from the competitive bidding requirements, the "substantial
cost savings and other substantial benefits" criteria at 279C.335(2)(b) require
consideration of the type, cost and amount of the Contract and, to the extent applicable,
the other factors set forth in 279C.335(2)(b). If a particular factor has no application
whatsoever to the particular Public Improvement Contract or class of Public Improvement
Contracts, the Director of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, the
Director of Transportation or the local contract review board does not need to consider
that factor, and the Contracting Agency is not required to address the factor, other
than to explain why the factor has no application whatsoever to the particular Public
Improvement Contract or class of Public Improvement Contracts..
(2) Required Information.
The statutory definition of "Findings" at ORS 279C.330(2), which applies to exemptions
from competitive bidding under ORS 279C.335, means the justification for a Contracting
Agency or State Agency conclusion regarding the factors listed in both ORS 279C.335(2)(a)
and 279C.335(2)(b) or, in the alternative, both 279C.335(2)(a) and 279C.335(2)(c).
For an exemption granted by the Director of the Oregon Department of Administrative
Services or the Director of Transportation under ORS 279C.350 by order, however,
the order must also include the findings listed in ORS 279C.330(1).
(3) Addressing Cost Savings.
Accordingly, when the Contract or class of Contracts under consideration for an
exemption contemplates the use of Alternative Contracting Methods, the "substantial
cost savings and other substantial benefits" requirement may be addressed by a combination
of:
(a) Specified Findings that
address the factors and other information specifically identified by statute, including,
but not limited to, an analysis or reasonable forecast of present and future cost
savings and other substantial benefits; and
(b) Additional Findings that
address industry practices, surveys, trends, past experiences, evaluations of completed
projects required by ORS 279C.355 and related information regarding the expected
benefits and drawbacks of particular Alternative Contracting Methods. To the extent
practicable, such Findings shall relate back to the specific characteristics of
the project or projects at issue in the exemption request.
(c) As an alternative to
the "substantial cost savings and other substantial benefits" requirement in ORS
279C.335(2)(b), if an Alternative Contracting Method has not been previously used,
the Contracting Agency or State Agency may make a Finding that identifies the project
as a "pilot project" under ORS 279C.335(2)(c). Nevertheless, the Contracting Agency
or State Agency must still make the findings required in ORS 279C.335(2)(a).
(4) Favoritism and Competition.
The criteria at ORS 279C.335(2)(a) that the exemption "is unlikely to encourage
favoritism" or "substantially diminish competition" may be addressed in contemplating
the use of Alternative Contracting Methods by specifying the manner in which an
RFP process will be utilized, that the Procurement will be formally advertised with
public notice and disclosure of the planned Alternative Contracting Method, competition
will be encouraged, Award made based upon identified selection criteria and an opportunity
to protest that Award.
(5) Descriptions. Findings
supporting a competitive bidding exemption must describe with specificity any Alternative
Contracting Method to be used in lieu of competitive bidding, including, but not
limited to, whether a one-step (request for Proposals), two-step (beginning with
a Request for Qualifications, followed by a request for Proposals) or other solicitation
process will be utilized. The Findings may also describe anticipated characteristics
or features of the resulting Public Improvement Contract. However, the purpose of
an exemption from competitive bidding is limited to a determination of the Procurement
method. Any unnecessary or incidental descriptions of the specific details of the
anticipated Contract within the supporting Findings are not binding upon the Contracting
Agency. The parameters of the Public Improvement Contract are those characteristics
or specifics that are announced in the Solicitation Document.
(6) Class Exemptions. In
making the findings supporting a class exemption the Contracting Agency shall clearly
identify the “class” with respect to its defining characteristics, pursuant
to the requirements of ORS 279C.335(3). The class must meet the following requirements:
(a) The class cannot be based
on a single characteristic or factor, so that an Agency directly or indirectly creates
a class whereby the Agency uses, for example, the CM/GC Method for all Agency construction
projects or all Agency construction projects over a particular dollar amount, unidentified
future Agency construction projects of a particular work category, or all Agency
construction projects from a particular funding source such as the sale of bonds;
and
(b) The class must include
a combination of factors, be defined by the Agency through characteristics that
reasonably relate to the exemption criteria set forth in ORS 279C.335(2) and must
reflect a detailed evaluation of those characteristics so that the class is defined
in a limited way that effectively meets the Agency’s objectives while allowing
for impartial and open competition, and protecting the integrity of the exemption
process. An example of a class that might be permitted under the statute is a series
of projects, such as a specific group of building renovation projects, that
(A) Involve renovations for
a common purpose;
(B) Require completion on
a related schedule in order to avoid unnecessary disruption of Contracting Agency
operations;
(C) Share common characteristics,
such as historic building considerations, the presence of asbestos or other hazardous
substances, or the presence of agency staff during construction;
(D) Otherwise possess characteristics
that meet the requirements of ORS 279C.335(2); and
(E) Otherwise meet the requirements
of the Director of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, the Director
of Transportation or the local contract review board, as applicable.
(7) Public Hearing. Before
final adoption of Findings exempting a Public Improvement Contract or class of Contracts
from the requirement of competitive bidding, a Contracting Agency or State Agency
shall give notice and hold a public hearing as required by ORS 279C.335(5). The
hearing shall be for the purpose of receiving public comment on the Contracting
Agency’s or State Agency's draft Findings.
(8) Prior Review of Draft
Findings. State Contracting Agencies shall submit draft Findings to their Contract
Review Authority for review and concurrence prior to advertising the public hearing
required by ORS 279C.335(5). State Contracting Agencies shall also submit draft
Findings to the Department of Justice for review and comment prior to advertising
the public hearing.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065
Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.335
& 279A.065
Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07,
cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 10-2014(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14; Administrative
correction, 1-27-15; DOJ 2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15
137-049-0640
Competitive Proposals; Procedure
Contracting Agencies may utilize the
following RFP process for Public Improvement Contracts, allowing flexibility in
both Proposal evaluation and Contract negotiation, only in accordance with ORS 279C.330
to 279C.337, 279C.400 to 279C.410 and OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690, unless other
applicable statutes control a Contracting Agency's use of competitive Proposals
for Public Improvement Contracts. Also see the subdivision of rules in this division
49 entitled “Formal Procurement Rules,” 137-049-0200 to 137-049-0480,
and RFP related rules under the Alternative Contracting Methods subdivision at 137-049-0640
to 137-049-0660. For ESPCs, the following RFP process as further specified in 137-049-0645,
137-049-0650, 137-049-0660 and 137-049-0680 shall be utilized, if a Contracting
Agency desires the Procurement process to be exempt from the competitive bidding
requirements of ORS 279C.335. The RFP process for the Alternative Contracting Methods
identified in OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 includes the following steps:
(1) Proposal Evaluation.
Factors in addition to price may be considered in the selection process, but only
as set forth in the RFP. Proposal evaluation shall be as objective as possible.
Evaluation factors need not be precise predictors of future costs and performance,
but to the extent possible such evaluation factors shall:
(a) Be reasonable estimates
based on information available to the Contracting Agency;
(b) Treat all Proposals equitably;
and
(c) Recognize that public
policy requires that Public Improvements be constructed at the least overall cost
to the Contracting Agency. See ORS 279C.305. For ESPC Proposal evaluations, the
Contracting Agency may provide in the RFP that qualifications-based evaluation factors
will outweigh the Contracting Agency's consideration of price-related factors, due
to the fact that prices for the major components of the Work to be performed during
the ESPC process contemplated by the RFP will likely not be determinable at the
time of Proposal evaluation. For CM/GC Services Proposal evaluations, the Contracting
Agency must comply with ORS 279C.337.
(2) Evaluation Factors.
(a) In basic negotiated construction
contracting, where the only reason for an RFP is to consider factors other than
price, those factors may consist of firm and personnel experience on similar projects,
adequacy of equipment and physical plant, sources of supply, availability of key
personnel, financial capacity, past performance, safety records, project understanding,
proposed methods of construction, proposed milestone dates, references, service,
and related matters that could affect the cost or quality of the Work.
(b) In CM/GC contracting,
in addition to (a) above, those factors may also include the ability to respond
to the technical complexity or unique character of the project, analyze and propose
solutions or approaches to complex project problems, analyze and propose value engineering
options, analyze and propose energy efficiency measures or alternative energy options,
coordinate multiple disciplines on the project, effectively utilize the time available
to commence and complete the improvement, and related matters that could affect
the cost or quality of the Work.
(c) In Design-Build contracting,
in addition to (a) and (b) above, those factors may also include design professional
qualifications, specialized experience, preliminary design submittals, technical
merit, design-builder team experience and related matters that could affect the
cost or quality of the Work.
(d) In ESPC contracting,
in addition to the factors set forth in subsections (a), (b) and (c) above, those
factors may also include sample Technical Energy Audits from similar projects, sample
M & V reports, financial statements and related information of the ESCO for
a time period established in the RFP, financial statements and related information
of joint venturers comprising the ESCO, the ESCO's capabilities and experience in
performing energy baseline studies for facilities (independently or in cooperation
with an independent third-party energy baseline consultant), past performance of
the ESCO in meeting energy guarantee Contract levels, the specific Person that will
provide the Energy Savings Guarantee to be offered by the ESCO, the ESCO's management
plan for the project, information on the specific methods, techniques and equipment
that the ESCO will use in the performance of the Work under the ESPC, the ESCO's
team members and consultants to be assigned to the project, the ESCO's experience
in the Energy Savings Performance Contracting field, the ESCO's experience acting
as the prime contractor on previous ESPC projects (as opposed to a sub-contractor
or consultant to a prime ESCO), the ESCO's vendor and product neutrality related
to the development of ECMs, the ESCO's project history related to removal from an
ESPC project or the inability or unwillingness of the ESCO to complete an ESPC project,
the ESCO's M & V capabilities and experience (independently or in cooperation
with an independent third-party M & V consultant), the ESCO's ability to explain
the unique risks associated with ESPC projects and the assignment of risk in the
particular project between the Contracting Agency and the ESCO, the ESCO's equipment
performance guarantee policies and procedures, the ESCO's energy savings and cost
savings guarantee policies and procedures, the ESCO's project cost guarantee policies
and procedures, the ESCO's pricing methodologies, the price that the ESCO will charge
for the Technical Energy Audit phase of the Work and the ESCO's fee structure for
all phases of the ESPC.
(3) Contract Negotiations.
Contract terms may be negotiated to the extent allowed by the RFP and OAR 137-049-0600
to 137-049-0690, provided that the general Work scope remains the same and that
the field of competition does not change as a result of material changes to the
requirements stated in the Solicitation Document. See 137-049-0650. Terms that may
be negotiated consist of details of Contract performance, methods of construction,
timing, assignment of risk in specified areas, fee, and other matters that could
affect the cost or quality of the Work. For the CM/GC Method, terms that may be
negotiated also include the specific scope of pre-construction services, the GC
Work, any Early Work and other construction Work to be performed by the CM/GC, and
any other terms that the Contracting Agency has identified as being subject to negotiation,
consistent with the requirements of OAR 137-049-0690. In ESPC contracting, terms
that may be negotiated also include the scope of preliminary design of ECMs to be
evaluated by the parties during the Technical Energy Audit phase of the Work, the
scope of Personal Services and Work to be performed by the ESCO during the Project
Development Plan phase of the Work, the detailed provisions of the Energy Savings
Guarantee to be provided by the ESCO and scope of Work, methodologies and compensation
terms and conditions during the design and construction phase and M & V phase
of the Work, consistent with the requirements of OAR 137-049-0680.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279C.335 & 279A.065
Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.335,
279A.065 & 351.086
Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 10-2014(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14; Administrative correction, 1-27-15; DOJ
2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15
137-049-0645
Requests for Qualifications (RFQ)
As provided by ORS 279C.405(1), Contracting Agencies may utilize Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) to obtain information useful in the preparation or distribution of a Request for Proposals (RFPs). When using RFQs as the first step in a two step solicitation process, in which distribution of the RFPs will be limited to the firms identified as most qualified through their submitted statements of qualification, Contracting Agencies shall first advertise and provide notice of the RFQ in the same manner in which RFPs are advertised, specifically stating that RFPs will be distributed only to the firms selected in the RFQ process. In such cases the Contracting Agencies shall also provide within the RFQ a protest provision substantially in the form of OAR 137-049-0450(5) regarding protests of the Competitive Range. Thereafter, contracting agencies may distribute RFPs to the selected firms without further advertisement of the solicitation.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279C.405, 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.405

Hist.: DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0650
Requests for Proposals ("RFP")
(1) Generally. The use of competitive
Proposals must be specially authorized for a Public Improvement Contract under the
competitive bidding exception and exemption requirements of ORS 279C.335, OAR 137-049-0130
and 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690. Also see ORS 279C.337 and 279C.400 to 279C.410
for statutory requirements regarding competitive Proposals and OAR 137-049-0640
regarding competitive Proposal procedures.
(2) Solicitation Documents.
In addition to the Solicitation Document requirements of OAR 137-049-0200, this
rule applies to the requirements for RFPs. RFP Solicitation Documents shall conform
to the following standards:
(a) The Contracting Agency
shall set forth selection criteria in the Solicitation Document. Examples of evaluation
criteria include price or cost, quality of a product or service, past performance,
management, capability, personnel qualification, prior experience, compatibility,
reliability, operating efficiency, expansion potential, experience of key personnel,
adequacy of equipment or physical plant, financial wherewithal, sources of supply,
references and warranty provisions. See OAR 137-049-0640 regarding Proposal evaluation
and evaluation factors. Evaluation factors need not be precise predictors of actual
future costs and performance, but to the extent possible, such factors must be reasonable
estimates based on information available to the Contracting Agency. Subject to ORS
279C.410(4), the Solicitation Document may provide for discussions with Proposers
to be conducted for the purpose of Proposal evaluation prior to award or prior to
establishing any Competitive Range;
(b) When the Contracting
Agency is willing to negotiate terms and conditions of the Contract or allow submission
of revised Proposals following discussions, the Contracting Agency shall identify
the specific terms and conditions in or provisions of the Solicitation Document
that are subject to negotiation or discussion and authorize Offerors to propose
certain alternative terms and conditions in lieu of the terms and conditions the
Contracting Agency has identified as authorized for negotiation. The Contracting
Agency shall describe the evaluation, discussion and negotiation processes, including
how the Contracting Agency will establish the Competitive Range, if any;
(c) The anticipated size
of any Competitive Range must be stated in the Solicitation Document, but may be
decreased if the number of Proposers that submit responsive Proposals is less that
the specified number, or may be increased as provided in OAR 137-049-0650(4)(a)(B);
(d) When the Contracting
Agency intends to Award Contracts to more than one Proposer, the Contracting Agency
shall identify in the Solicitation Document the manner in which it will determine
the number of Contracts it will Award. The Contracting Agency shall also include
the criteria it will use to determine how the Contracting Agency will endeavor to
achieve optimal value, utility and substantial fairness when selecting a particular
Contractor to provide Personal Services or Work from those Contractors Awarded Contracts.
(3) Evaluation of Proposals.
(a) Evaluation. The Contracting
Agency shall evaluate Proposals only in accordance with criteria set forth in the
RFP and applicable law. The Contracting Agency shall evaluate Proposals to determine
the Responsible Proposer or Proposers submitting the best Responsive Proposal or
Proposals.
(A) Clarifications. In evaluating
Proposals, a Contracting Agency may seek information from a Proposer to clarify
the Proposer's Proposal. A Proposer shall submit Written and Signed clarifications
and such clarifications shall become part of the Proposer's Proposal.
(B) Limited Negotiation.
If the Contracting Agency did not permit negotiation in its RFP, the Contracting
Agency may, nonetheless, negotiate with the highest-ranked Proposer, but may then
only negotiate the:
(i) Statement of Work; and
(ii) Contract Price as it
is affected by negotiating the statement of Work. The process for discussions or
negotiations that is outlined and explained in subsections (5)(b) and (6) of this
rule does not apply to this limited negotiation.
(b) Discussions; Negotiations.
If the Contracting Agency permitted discussions or negotiations in the RFP, the
Contracting Agency shall evaluate Proposals and establish the Competitive Range,
and may then conduct discussions and negotiations in accordance with this rule.
(A) If the Solicitation Document
provided that discussions or negotiations may occur at Contracting Agency's discretion,
the Contracting Agency may forego discussions and negotiations and evaluate all
Proposals in accordance with this rule.
(B) If the Contracting Agency
proceeds with discussions or negotiations, the Contracting Agency shall establish
a negotiation team tailored for the acquisition. The Contracting Agency's team may
include legal, technical, auditing and negotiating personnel.
(c) Cancellation. Nothing
in this rule shall restrict or prohibit the Contracting Agency from canceling the
solicitation at any time.
(4) Competitive Range; Protest;
Award.
(a) Determining Competitive
Range.
(A) If the Contracting Agency
does not cancel the solicitation, after the Opening the Contracting Agency will
evaluate all Proposals in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in the
RFP. After evaluation of all Proposals in accordance with the criteria set forth
in the RFP, the Contracting Agency will rank the Proposers based on the Contracting
Agency’s scoring and determine the Competitive Range.
(B) The Contracting Agency
may increase the number of Proposers in the Competitive Range if the Contracting
Agency's evaluation of Proposals establishes a natural break in the scores of Proposers
indicating a number of Proposers greater than the initial Competitive Range are
closely competitive, or have a reasonable chance of being determined the best Proposer
after the Contracting Agency's evaluation of revised Proposals submitted in accordance
with the process described in this rule.
(b) Protesting Competitive
Range. The Contracting Agency shall provide Written notice to all Proposers identifying
Proposers in the Competitive Range. A Proposer that is not within the Competitive
Range may protest the Contracting Agency's evaluation and determination of the Competitive
Range in accordance with OAR 137-049-0450.
(c) Intent to Award; Discuss
or Negotiate. After the protest period provided in accordance with these rules expires,
or after the Contracting Agency has provided a final response to any protest, whichever
date is later, the Contracting Agency may either:
(A) Provide Written notice
to all Proposers in the Competitive Range of its intent to Award the Contract to
the highest-ranked Proposer in the Competitive Range.
(i) An unsuccessful Proposer
may protest the Contracting Agency's intent to Award in accordance with OAR 137-049-0450.
(ii) After the protest period
provided in accordance with OAR 137-049-0450 expires, or after the Contracting Agency
has provided a final response to any protest, whichever date is later, the Contracting
Agency shall commence final Contract negotiations with the highest-ranked Proposer
in the Competitive Range; or
(B) Engage in discussions
with Proposers in the Competitive Range and accept revised Proposals from them,
and, following such discussions and receipt and evaluation of revised Proposals,
conduct negotiations with the Proposers in the Competitive Range.
(5) Discussions; Revised
Proposals. If the Contracting Agency chooses to enter into discussions with and
receive revised Proposals from the Proposers in the Competitive Range, the Contracting
Agency shall proceed as follows:
(a) Initiating Discussions.
The Contracting Agency shall initiate oral or Written discussions with all of the
Proposers in the Competitive Range regarding their Proposals with respect to the
provisions of the RFP that the Contracting Agency identified in the RFP as the subject
of discussions. The Contracting Agency may conduct discussions for the following
purposes:
(A) Informing Proposers of
deficiencies in their initial Proposals;
(B) Notifying Proposers of
parts of their Proposals for which the Contracting Agency would like additional
information; and
(C) Otherwise allowing Proposers
to develop revised Proposals that will allow the Contracting Agency to obtain the
best Proposal based on the requirements and evaluation criteria set forth in the
RFP.
(b) Conducting Discussions.
The Contracting Agency may conduct discussions with each Proposer in the Competitive
Range necessary to fulfill the purposes of this section, but need not conduct the
same amount of discussions with each Proposer. The Contracting Agency may terminate
discussions with any Proposer in the Competitive Range at any time. However, the
Contracting Agency shall offer all Proposers in the Competitive Range the opportunity
to discuss their Proposals with Contracting Agency before the Contracting Agency
notifies Proposers of the date and time pursuant to this section that revised Proposals
will be due.
(A) In conducting discussions,
the Contracting Agency:
(i) Shall treat all Proposers
fairly and shall not favor any Proposer over another;
(ii) Shall not discuss other
Proposers' Proposals;
(iii) Shall not suggest specific
revisions that a Proposer should make to its Proposal, and shall not otherwise direct
the Proposer to make any specific revisions to its Proposal.
(B) At any time during the
time allowed for discussions, the Contracting Agency may:
(i) Continue discussions
with a particular Proposer;
(ii) Terminate discussions
with a particular Proposer and continue discussions with other Proposers in the
Competitive Range; or
(iii) Conclude discussions
with all remaining Proposers in the Competitive Range and provide notice to the
Proposers in the Competitive Range to submit revised Proposals.
(c) Revised Proposals. If
the Contracting Agency does not cancel the solicitation at the conclusion of the
Contracting Agency's discussions with all remaining Proposers in the Competitive
Range, the Contracting Agency shall give all remaining Proposers in the Competitive
Range notice of the date and time by which they must submit revised Proposals. This
notice constitutes the Contracting Agency's termination of discussions, and Proposers
must submit revised Proposals by the date and time set forth in the Contracting
Agency's notice.
(A) Upon receipt of the revised
Proposals, the Contracting Agency shall evaluate the revised Proposals based upon
the evaluation criteria set forth in the RFP, and rank the revised Proposals based
on the Contracting Agency's scoring.
(B) The Contracting Agency
may conduct discussions with and accept only one revised Proposal from each Proposer
in the Competitive Range unless otherwise set forth in the RFP.
(d) Intent to Award; Protest.
The Contracting Agency shall provide Written notice to all Proposers in the Competitive
Range of the Contracting Agency's intent to Award the Contract. An unsuccessful
Proposer may protest the Contracting Agency's intent to Award in accordance with
OAR 137-049-0450. After the protest period provided in accordance with that rule
expires, or after the Contracting Agency has provided a final response to any protest,
whichever date is later, the Contracting Agency shall commence final Contract negotiations.
(6) Negotiations.
(a) Initiating Negotiations.
The Contracting Agency may determine to commence negotiations with the highest-ranked
Proposer in the Competitive Range following the:
(A) Initial determination
of the Competitive Range; or
(B) Conclusion of discussions
with all Proposers in the Competitive Range and evaluation of revised Proposals.
(b) Conducting Negotiations.
Scope. The Contracting Agency may negotiate:
(A) The statement of Work;
(B) The Contract Price as
it is affected by negotiating the statement of Work; and
(C) Any other terms and conditions
reasonably related to those expressly authorized for negotiation in the RFP. Accordingly,
Proposers shall not submit, and Contracting Agency shall not accept, for negotiation
any alternative terms and conditions that are not reasonably related to those expressly
authorized for negotiation in the RFP.
(c) Continuing Negotiations.
If the Contracting Agency terminates negotiations with a Proposer, the Contracting
Agency may then commence negotiations with the next highest scoring Proposer in
the Competitive Range, and continue the process described in this rule until the
Contracting Agency has:
(A) Determined to Award the
Contract to the Proposer with whom it is currently negotiating; or
(B) Completed one round of
negotiations with all Proposers in the Competitive Range, unless the Contracting
Agency provided for more than one round of discussions or negotiations in the RFP,
in which case the Contracting Agency may proceed with any authorized further rounds
of discussions or negotiations.
(7) Terminating Discussions
or Negotiations. At any time during discussions or negotiations conducted in accordance
with this rule, the Contracting Agency may terminate discussions or negotiations
with the Proposer with whom it is currently conducting discussions or negotiations
if the Contracting Agency reasonably believes that:
(a) The Proposer is not discussing
or negotiating in good faith; or
(b) Further discussions or
negotiations with the Proposer will not result in the parties agreeing to the terms
and conditions of a final Contract in a timely manner.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065
Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.400
- 279C.410
Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09,
cert. ef. 1-1-10; DOJ 10-2011, f. 11-29-11, cert. ef. 1-1-12; DOJ 10-2014(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14; Administrative correction, 1-27-15; DOJ
2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15
137-049-0660
RFP Pricing Mechanisms
(1) An RFP may result in a Contract
with a lump-sum Contract Price or a fixed Contract Price, as in the case of competitive
bidding. Alternatively, an RFP may result in a cost reimbursement Contract with
a GMP or some other maximum price specified in the Contract.
(2) Economic incentives or
disincentives may be included to reflect stated Contracting Agency purposes related
to time of completion, safety or other Public Contracting objectives, including
but not limited to total least cost mechanisms such as life cycle costing.
(3) A Guaranteed Maximum
Price may be used as the pricing mechanism for CM/GC Services Contracts where a
total Contract Price is provided in the design phase in order to assist the Contracting
Agency in determining whether the project scope is within the Contracting Agency's
budget, and allowing for design changes during preliminary design rather than after
final design services have been completed.
(a) If the collaborative
process described above in this section (3) is successful, the Contractor shall
propose a final GMP, which may be accepted by the Contracting Agency and included
within the Contract.
(b) If the collaborative
process described above in this section (3) is not successful, and no mutually agreeable
resolution on the GMP for the project construction Work can be achieved with the
Contractor, then the Contracting Agency shall terminate the Contract. The public
Contracting Agency may then proceed to negotiate a new Contract (and GMP) with the
firm that was next ranked in the original selection process, or employ other means
for continuing the project under ORS Chapter 279C.
(4) When cost reimbursement
Contracts are utilized, regardless of whether a GMP is included, the Contracting
Agency shall provide for audit controls that will effectively verify rates and ensure
that costs are reasonable, allowable and properly allocated.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.335

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 10-2014(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14; Administrative correction, 1-27-15; DOJ
2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15
137-049-0670
Design-Build Contracts
(1) General. The Design-Build form of contracting, as defined at OAR 137-049-0610(3), has technical complexities that are not readily apparent. Contracting Agencies shall use this contracting method only with the assistance of knowledgeable staff or consultants who are experienced in its use. In order to use the Design-Build process, the Contracting Agency must be able to reasonably anticipate the following types of benefits:
(a) Obtaining, through a Design-Build team, engineering design, plan preparation, value engineering, construction engineering, construction, quality control and required documentation as a fully integrated function with a single point of responsibility;
(b) Integrating value engineering suggestions into the design phase, as the construction Contractor joins the project team early with design responsibilities under a team approach, with the potential of reducing Contract changes;
(c) Reducing the risk of design flaws, misunderstandings and conflicts inherent in construction Contractors building from designs in which they have had no opportunity for input, with the potential of reducing Contract claims;
(d) Shortening project time as construction activity (early submittals, mobilization, subcontracting and advance Work) commences prior to completion of a "Biddable" design, or where a design solution is still required (as in complex or phased projects); or
(e) Obtaining innovative design solutions through the collaboration of the Contractor and design team, which would not otherwise be possible if the Contractor had not yet been selected.
(2) Authority. Contracting Agencies shall utilize the Design-Build form of contracting only in accordance with the requirements of these OARs 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 rules. See particularly 137-049-0620 on "Use of Alternative Contracting Methods" and 137-049-0680 pertaining to ESPCs.
(3) Selection. Design-Build selection criteria may include those factors set forth above in OAR 137-049-0640(2)(a), (b) and (c).
(4) QBS Inapplicable. Because the value of construction Work predominates the Design-Build form of contracting, the qualifications based selection (QBS) process mandated by ORS 279C.110 for State Contracting Agencies in obtaining certain consultant Personal Services is not applicable.
(5) Licensing. If a Design-Build Contractor is not an Oregon licensed design professional, the Contracting Agency shall require that the Design-Build Contractor disclose in its Written Offer that it is not an Oregon licensed design professional, and identify the Oregon licensed design professional(s) who will provide design services. See ORS 671.030(2)(g) regarding the offer of architectural services, and 672.060(11) regarding the offer of engineering services that are appurtenant to construction Work.
(6) Performance Security. ORS 279C.380(1)(a) provides that for Design-Build Contracts the surety's obligation on performance bonds, or the Bidder's obligation on cashier's or certified checks accepted in lieu thereof, includes the preparation and completion of design and related Personal Services specified in the Contract. This additional obligation, beyond performance of construction Work, extends only to the provision of Personal Services and related design revisions, corrective Work and associated costs prior to final completion of the Contract (or for such longer time as may be defined in the Contract). The obligation is not intended to be a substitute for professional liability insurance, and does not include errors and omissions or latent defects coverage.
(7) Contract Requirements. Contracting Agencies shall conform their Design-Build contracting practices to the following requirements:
(a) Design Services. The level or type of design services required must be clearly defined within the Procurement documents and Contract, along with a description of the level or type of design services previously performed for the project. The Personal Services and Work to be performed shall be clearly delineated as either design Specifications or performance standards, and performance measurements must be identified.
(b) Professional Liability. The Contract shall clearly identify the liability of design professionals with respect to the Design-Build Contractor and the Contracting Agency, as well as requirements for professional liability insurance.
(c) Risk Allocation. The Contract shall clearly identify the extent to which the Contracting Agency requires an express indemnification from the Design-Build Contractor for any failure to perform, including professional errors and omissions, design warranties, construction operations and faulty Work claims.
(d) Warranties. The Contract shall clearly identify any express warranties made to the Contracting Agency regarding characteristics or capabilities of the completed project (regardless of whether errors occur as the result of improper design, construction, or both), including any warranty that a design will be produced that meets the stated project performance and budget guidelines.
(e) Incentives. The Contract shall clearly identify any economic incentives and disincentives, the specific criteria that apply and their relationship to other financial elements of the Contract.
(f) Honoraria. If allowed by the RFP, honoraria or stipends may be provided for early design submittals from qualified finalists during the solicitation process on the basis that the Contracting Agency is benefited from such deliverables.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279C.335 & 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.335, 279A.065, 279C.110 & 351.086

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0680
Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC)
(1) Generally. These OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 rules include a limited, efficient method for Contracting Agencies to enter into ESPCs outside the competitive bidding requirements of ORS 279C.335 for existing buildings or structures, but not for new construction. See ORS 279C.335(1)(f). If a Contracting Agency chooses not to utilize the ESPC Procurement method provided for by these OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 rules, the Contracting Agency may still enter into an ESPC by complying with the competitive bidding exemption process set forth in ORS 279C.335, or by otherwise complying with the Procurement requirements applicable to any Contracting Agency not subject to all the requirements of 279C.335.
(2) ESPC Contracting Method. The ESPC form of contracting, as defined at OAR 137-049-0610(6), has unique technical complexities associated with the determination of what ECMs are feasible for the Contracting Agency, as well as the additional technical complexities associated with a Design-Build Contract. Contracting Agencies shall only utilize the ESPC contracting method with the assistance of knowledgeable staff or consultants who are experienced in its use. In order to utilize the ESPC contracting process, the Contracting Agency must be able to reasonably anticipate one or more of the following types of benefits:
(a) Obtaining, through an ESCO, the following types of integrated Personal Services and Work: facility profiling, energy baseline studies, ECMs, Technical Energy Audits, project development planning, engineering design, plan preparation, cost estimating, life cycle costing, construction administration, project management, construction, quality control, operations and maintenance staff training, commissioning services, M & V services and required documentation as a fully integrated function with a single point of responsibility;
(b) Obtaining, through an ESCO, an Energy Savings Guarantee;
(c) Integrating the Technical Energy Audit phase and the Project Development Plan phase into the design and construction phase of Work on the project;
(d) Reducing the risk of design flaws, misunderstandings and conflicts inherent in the construction process, through the integration of ESPC Personal Services and Work;
(e) Obtaining innovative design solutions through the collaboration of the members of the ESCO integrated ESPC team;
(f) Integrating cost-effective ECMs into an existing building or structure, so that the ECMs pay for themselves through savings realized over the useful life of the ECMs;
(g) Preliminary design, development, implementation and an Energy Savings Guarantee of ECMs into an existing building or structure through an ESPC, as a distinct part of a major remodel of that building or structure that is being performed under a separate remodeling Contract; and
(h) Satisfying local energy efficiency design criteria or requirements.
(3) Authority. Contracting Agencies desiring to pursue an exemption from the competitive bidding requirements of ORS 279C.335 (and, if applicable, ORS 351.086), shall utilize the ESPC form of contracting only in accordance with the requirements of these OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 rules.
(4) No Findings Required. A Contracting Agency is only required to comply with the ESPC contracting procedures set forth in these OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 rules in order for the ESPC to be exempt from the competitive bidding processes of ORS 279C.335. No Findings are required for an ESPC to be exempt from the competitive bidding process for Public Improvement Contracts pursuant to 279C.335, unless the Contracting Agency is subject to the requirements of ORS 279C.335 and chooses not to comply with the ESPC contracting procedures set forth in OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690.
(5) Selection. ESPC selection criteria may include those factors set forth above in OAR 137-049-0640(2)(a), (b), (c) and (d). Since the Energy Savings Guarantee is such a fundamental component in the ESPC contracting process, Proposers must disclose in their Proposals the identity of any Person providing (directly or indirectly) any Energy Savings Guarantee that may be offered by the successful ESCO during the course of the performance of the ESPC, along with any financial statements and related information pertaining to any such Person.
(6) QBS Inapplicable. Because the value of construction Work predominates in the ESPC method of contracting, the qualifications based selection (QBS) process mandated by ORS 279C.110 for State Contracting Agencies in obtaining certain consultant services is not applicable.
(7) Licensing. If the ESCO is not an Oregon licensed design professional, the Contracting Agency shall require that the ESCO disclose in the ESPC that it is not an Oregon licensed design professional, and identify the Oregon licensed design professional(s) who will provide design services. See ORS 671.030(5) regarding the offer of architectural services, and 672.060(11) regarding the offer of engineering services that are appurtenant to construction Work.
(8) Performance Security. At the point in the ESPC when the parties enter into a binding Contract that constitutes a Design-Build Contract, the ESCO must provide a performance bond and a payment bond, each for 100% of the full Contract Price, including the construction Work and design and related Personal Services specified in the ESPC Design-Build Contract, pursuant to ORS 279C.380(1)(a). For ESPC Design-Build Contracts, these "design and related services" include conventional design services, commissioning services, training services for the Contracting Agency's operations and maintenance staff, and any similar Personal Services provided by the ESCO under the ESPC Design-Build Contract prior to final completion of construction. M & V services, and any Personal Services or Work associated with the ESCO's Energy Savings Guarantee are not included in these 279C.380(1)(a) "design and related services." Nevertheless, a Contracting Agency may require that the ESCO provide performance security for M & V services and any Personal Services or Work associated with the ESCO's Energy Savings Guarantee, if the Contracting Agency so provides in the RFP.
(9) Contracting Requirements. Contracting Agencies shall conform their ESPC contracting practices to the following requirements:
(a) General ESPC Contracting Practices. An ESPC involves a multi-phase project, which includes the following contractual elements:
(A) A contractual structure which includes general Contract terms describing the relationship of the parties, the various phases of the Work, the contractual terms governing the Technical Energy Audit for the project, the contractual terms governing the Project Development Plan for the project, the contractual terms governing the final design and construction of the project, the contractual terms governing the performance of the M & V services for the project, and the detailed provisions of the ESCO's Energy Savings Guarantee for the project.
(B) The various phases of the ESCO's Work will include the following:
(i) The Technical Energy Audit phase of the Work;
(ii) The Project Development Plan phase of the Work;
(iii) A third phase of the Work that constitutes a Design-Build Contract, during which the ESCO completes any plans and Specifications required to implement the ECMs that have been agreed to by the parties to the ESPC, and the ESCO performs all construction, commissioning, construction administration and related Personal Services or Work to actually construct the project; and
(iv) A final phase of the Work, whereby the ESCO, independently or in cooperation with an independent consultant hired by the Contracting Agency, performs M & V services to ensure that the Energy Savings Guarantee identified by the ESCO in the earlier phases of the Work and agreed to by the parties has actually been achieved.
(b) Design-Build Contracting Requirements in ESPCs. At the point in the ESPC when the parties enter into a binding Contract that constitutes a Design-Build Contract, the Contracting Agency shall conform its Design-Build contracting practices to the Design-Build contracting requirements set forth in OAR 137-040-0560(7) above.
(c) Pricing Alternatives. The Contracting Agency may utilize one of the following pricing alternatives in an ESPC:
(A) A fixed price for each phase of the Personal Services and Work to be provided by the ESCO;
(B) A cost reimbursement pricing mechanism, with a maximum not-to-exceed price or a GMP; or
(C) A combination of a fixed fee for certain components of the Personal Services to be performed, a cost reimbursement pricing mechanism for the construction Work to be performed with a GMP, a single or annual fixed fee for M & V services to be performed for an identified time period after final completion of the construction Work, and a single or annual Energy Savings Guarantee fixed fee payable for an identified time period after final completion of the construction Work that is conditioned on certain energy savings being achieved at the facility by the ECMs that have been implemented by the ESCO during the project (in the event an annual M & V services fee and annual Energy Savings Guarantee fee is utilized by the parties, the parties may provide in the Design-Build Contract that, at the sole option of the Contracting Agency, the ESCO's M & V services may be terminated prior to the completion of the M & V/Energy Savings Guarantee period and the Contracting Agency's future obligation to pay the M & V services fee and Energy Savings Guarantee fee will likewise be terminated, under terms agreed to by the parties).
(d) Permitted ESPC Scope of Work. The scope of Work under the ESPC is restricted to implementation and installation of ECMs, as well as other Work on building systems or building components that are directly related to the ECMs, and that, as an integrated unit, will pay for themselves over the useful life of the ECMs installed. The permitted scope of Work for ESPCs resulting from a solicitation under these 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 rules does not include maintenance services for the project facility.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279C.335 & 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.335, 279A.065, 279C.110 & 351.086

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0690
Construction Manager/General Contractor Services
("CM/GC Services")
(1) General. The CM/GC Method is a technically
complex project delivery system. Contracting Agencies shall use this contracting
method only with the assistance of legal counsel with substantial experience and
necessary expertise in using the CM/GC Method, as well as knowledgeable staff, consultants
or both staff and consultants who have a demonstrated capability of managing the
CM/GC process in the necessary disciplines of engineering, construction scheduling
and cost control, accounting, legal, Public Contracting and project management.
Unlike the Design-Build form of contracting, the CM/GC Method does not contemplate
a "single point of responsibility" under which the CM/GC is responsible for successful
completion of all Work related to a performance Specification. The CM/GC has defined
contract obligations, including responsibilities as part of the project team along
with the Contracting Agency and design professional, although with the CM/GC Method
there is a separate contract between the Contracting Agency and design professional.
In order to utilize the CM/GC Method, the Contracting Agency must be able to reasonably
anticipate the following types of benefits:
(a) Time Savings. With the
CM/GC Method, the Public Improvement has significant schedule ramifications, such
that concurrent design and construction are necessary in order to meet critical
deadlines and shorten the overall duration of construction. The Contracting Agency
may consider operational and financial data that show significant savings or increased
opportunities for generating revenue as a result of early completion, as well as
less disruption to public facilities as a result of shortened construction periods;
(b) Cost Savings. With the
CM/GC Method, early CM/GC input during the design process is expected to contribute
to significant cost savings. The Contracting Agency may consider value engineering,
building systems analysis, life cycle costing analysis and construction planning
that lead to cost savings. The Contracting Agency shall specify any special factors
influencing this analysis, including high rates of inflation, market uncertainty
due to material and labor fluctuations or scarcities, and the need for specialized
construction expertise due to technical challenges; or
(c) Technical Complexity.
With the CM/GC Method, the Public Improvement presents significant technical complexities
that are best addressed by a collaborative or team effort between the Contracting
Agency, design professionals, any Contracting Agency project management or technical
consultants and the CM/GC, in which the CM/GC will assist in addressing specific
project challenges through pre-construction Personal Services. The Contracting Agency
may consider the need for CM/GC input on issues such as operations of the facility
during construction, tenant occupancy, public safety, delivery of an early budget
or GMP, financing, historic preservation, difficult remodeling projects and projects
requiring complex phasing or highly coordinated scheduling.
(2) Authority. Contracting
Agencies shall use the CM/GC form of contracting only in accordance with the requirements
of these division 49 Model Rules and ORS 279C.337, when a competitive bidding exemption
is approved. See particularly OAR 137-049-0600 on “Purpose” and 137-049-0620
on "Use of Alternative Contracting Methods".
(3) Selection. CM/GC selection
criteria may include those factors set forth above in OAR 137-049-0640(2)(b).
(4) Basis for Payment. The
CM/GC process adds specified construction manager Personal Services to traditional
design-bid-build general contractor Work, requiring full Contract performance within
a negotiated GMP, fixed Contract Price or other maximum Contract Price. For a GMP
pricing method, the basis for payment is reimbursable direct costs as defined under
the Contract, plus a fee constituting full payment for construction Work and Personal
Services rendered, which together shall not exceed the GMP. See GMP definition at
OAR 137-049-0610 and Pricing Mechanisms at 137-049-0660.
(5) Contract Requirements.
Contracting Agencies shall conform their CM/GC contracting practices to the following
requirements:
(a) Nature of the Initial
CM/GC Services Contract Document. A solicitation for CM/GC Services is a Procurement
for a Public Improvement, since the scope of the Procurement includes not only pre-construction
Personal Services to be performed by the CM/GC, but also construction Work that
is expected to result in a completed Public Improvement. In the traditional CM/GC
Services contracting approach, the text of the resulting CM/GC Services Contract
will include comprehensive contract provisions that will not only fully govern the
relationship between the Contracting Agency and the CM/GC for the pre-construction
Personal Services, but will also include the general contract provisions that will
control the CM/GC’s providing of the construction Work necessary to complete
the project (with any remaining necessary construction-related contract provisions
being added through Early Work amendments to the Contract, the GMP amendment to
the Contract or, if necessary, a conventional amendment to the Contract). The traditional
CM/GC Services contracting approach, however, also contemplates that the Contracting
Agency will only authorize the CM/GC to perform the pre-construction Personal Services
when the Contract is first executed unless construction Work is specifically included
in the initial CM/GC Contract. Under this approach, the construction phase or phases
of the CM/GC Services project are not yet authorized and the Contract only becomes
a Public Improvement Contract once the parties amend the Contract, through an Early
Work or a GMP amendment, to authorize the construction of a portion of the project
or the entire project. See also OAR 839-025-0020, regarding the Bureau of Labor
and Industries’ determination of when a Contract for CM/GC Services becomes
a “public works” Contract for purposes of paying prevailing wage rates
for construction Work under the CM/GC Contract.
(b) Setting the GMP, Fixed
Contract Price or Other Maximum Contract Price. The GMP, fixed Contract Price or
other maximum Contract Price shall be set at an identified time consistent with
industry practice and project conditions and after supporting information reasonably
considered necessary to its use has been developed, which will normally take place
by the end of the design development phase of the project. The supporting information
for the GMP must define with particularity both what Personal Services and construction
Work are included and excluded from the GMP, fixed Contract Price or other maximum
Contract Price. A set of project drawings and Specifications shall be produced establishing
the scope of construction Work contemplated by the GMP, fixed Contract Price or
other maximum Contract Price.
(c) Adjustments to the GMP,
Fixed Contract Price or Other Maximum Contract Price. The Contract shall clearly
identify the standards or factors under which changes or additional construction
Work will be considered outside of the Work scope that warrants an increase in the
GMP, fixed Contract Price or other maximum Contract Price, as well as criteria for
decreasing the GMP, fixed Contract Price or other maximum Contract Price. The GMP,
fixed Contract Price or other maximum Contract Price shall not be increased without
a concomitant increase to the scope of the Work defined at the establishment of
the GMP, fixed Contract Price or other maximum Contract Price or most recent amendment
to the GMP, fixed Contract Price or other maximum Contract Price. An increase to
the scope of the Work may take the form of conventional additions to the project
scope, as well as corrections to the Contract terms and conditions, additions to
insurance coverage required by the Contracting Agency and other changes to the Work.
(d) Cost Savings. The Contract
shall clearly identify the disposition of any Cost Savings resulting from completion
of the Work below the GMP, fixed Contract Price or other maximum Contract Price;
that is, under what circumstances, if any, the CM/GC might share in those Cost Savings,
or whether the Cost Savings accrue only to the Contracting Agency's benefit. Unless
there is a clearly articulated reason for sharing the Cost Savings set forth in
the Contract, the Cost Savings must accrue to the Contracting Agency.
(e) Cost Reimbursement. The
Contract shall clearly identify what items or categories of items are eligible for
cost reimbursement within the GMP, fixed Contract Price or other maximum Contract
Price, including any category of GC Work costs, and may also incorporate a mutually-agreeable
cost-reimbursement standard.
(f) Audit. Cost reimbursements
shall be made subject to final audit adjustment, and the Contract shall establish
an audit process to ensure that Contract costs are allowable, properly allocated
and reasonable.
(g) Fee. Compensation for
the CM/GC's Personal Services and construction Work, where the Contract uses a GMP,
shall include a fee that is inclusive of profit, overhead and all other indirect
or non-reimbursable costs. Costs determined to be included within the fee shall
be expressly defined in the Contract terms and conditions at the time the Contracting
Agency selects the CM/GC. The fee, which may be expressed as either a fixed dollar
amount or as a proposed percentage of all reimbursable costs, shall be identified
during and become an element of the selection process. It shall subsequently be
expressed as a fixed amount for particular construction Work authorized to be performed,
when Early Work is added to the Contract through an amendment and when the GMP is
established. The CM/GC fee does not include any fee paid to the CM/GC for performing
pre-construction services during a separate pre-construction phase.
(h) Incentives. The Contract
shall clearly identify any economic incentives, the specific criteria that apply
and their relationship to other financial elements of the Contract (including the
GMP, fixed Contract Price or other maximum Contract Price).
(i) Controlled Insurance
Programs. For projects where an owner-controlled or contractor-controlled insurance
program is permitted under ORS 737.602, the Contract shall clearly identify whether
an owner-controlled or contractor-controlled insurance program is anticipated or
allowable. If so, the Contract shall clearly identify (1) anticipated cost savings
from reduced premiums, claims reductions and other factors, (2) the allocation of
cost savings, and (3) safety responsibilities, incentives or both safety responsibilities
and incentives.
(j) Early Work. The RFP shall
clearly identify, whenever feasible, the circumstances under which any Early Work
may be authorized and undertaken for compensation prior to establishing the GMP,
fixed Contract Price or other maximum Contract Price.
(k) Subcontractor Selection.
Subcontracts under the Contract are not Public Contracts within the meaning of the
Code. However, the Contract must include provisions that clearly meet the requirements
of ORS 279C.337(3) and other Contracting Agency requirements. Within the scope of
279C.337(3), the CM/GC’s subcontractor selection process must meet the following
parameters:
(A) Absent a written justification
prepared by the CM/GC and approved by the Contracting Agency as more particularly
provided for in this section, the CM/GC’s Subcontractor selection process
must be “competitive”, meaning that the process should include publicly-advertised
subcontractor solicitations and be based on a low-bid competitive method, a low-quote
competitive method for contracts in a specified dollar range agreeable to the Contracting
Agency, or a method whereby both price and qualifications of the subcontractors
are evaluated in a competitive environment, consistent with the RFP and Contract
requirements;
(B) When the Subcontractor
selection process for a particular Work package will not be “competitive”
as provided for in this section, the process must meet the following requirements:
(i) The CM/GC must prepare
and submit a written justification to the Contracting Agency, explaining the project
circumstances that support a non-competitive Subcontractor selection process for
a particular Work package, including, but not limited to, Emergency circumstances,
the CM/GC’s need to utilize a key Subcontractor member of the CM/GC’s
project team consistent with the CM/GC’s project Proposal, the need to meet
other specified Contract requirements, the continuation or expansion of an existing
Subcontractor agreement that was awarded through a “competitive process”
along with facts supporting the continuation or expansion of the Subcontractor agreement,
or a “sole source” justification;
(ii) For a “sole source”
selection of a subcontractor to proceed, the Contracting Agency must evaluate the
written justification provided by the CM/GC and must find that critical project
efficiencies require utilization of labor, services or materials from one subcontractor;
that technical compatibility issues on the project require labor, services or materials
from one subcontractor; that particular labor, services or materials are needed
as part of an experimental or pilot project or as part of an experimental or pilot
aspect of the project; or that other project circumstances exist to support the
conclusion that the labor, services or materials are available from only one subcontractor;
(iii) The CM/GC must provide
an independent cost estimate for the Work package that will be subject to the non-competitive
process, if required by the Contracting Agency;
(iv) The CM/GC must fully
respond to any questions or comments submitted to the CM/GC by the Contracting Agency;
and
(v) The Contracting Agency
must approve the CM/GC’s use of the non-competitive Subcontractor selection
process prior to the CM/GC’s pursuit of the non-competitive process.
(C) A competitive selection
process may be preceded by a publicly advertised sub-contractor pre-qualification
process, with only those subcontractors meeting the pre-qualification requirements
being invited to participate in the later competitive process through which the
CM/GC will select the subcontractor to perform the construction Work described in
the selection process;
(D) If the CM/GC or an Affiliate
or subsidiary of the CM/GC will be included in the subcontractor selection process
to perform particular construction Work on the project, the CM/GC must disclose
that fact in the selection process documents and announcements. The Contract must
also identify the conditions, processes and procedures the CM/GC will utilize in
that competitive process in order to make the process impartial, competitive and
fair, including but not limited to objective, independent review and opening of
bids or proposals for the elements of Work involved, by a representative of the
Contracting Agency or another independent third party.
(l) Subcontractor Approvals
and Protests. The Contract shall clearly establish whether the Contracting Agency
must approve subcontract awards, and to what extent, if any, the Contracting Agency
will resolve or be involved in the resolution of protests of the CM/GC’s selection
of subcontractors and suppliers. The procedures and reporting mechanisms related
to the resolution of sub-contractor and supplier protests shall be established in
the Contract with certainty, including the CM/GC’s roles and responsibilities
in this process and whether the CM/GC's subcontracting records are considered to
be public records. In any event, the Contracting Agency must retain the right to
monitor the subcontracting process in order to protect the Contracting Agency's
interests and to confirm the CM/GC’s compliance with the Contract and with
applicable statutes, administrative rules and other legal requirements.
(m) CM/GC Self-Performance
or Performance by CM/GC Affiliates or Subsidiaries Without Competition. Consistent
with the requirements of ORS 279C.337(3)(c), the Contract must establish the conditions
under which the CM/GC or an Affiliate or subsidiary of the CM/GC may perform elements
of the construction Work without competition from subcontractors, including, for
example, job-site GC Work. Other than for GC Work, in order for the CM/GC or an
Affiliate or subsidiary of the CM/GC to perform elements of the construction Work
without competition from subcontractors, the CM/GC must provide, or must have included
in the CM/GC’s RFP Proposal to perform CM/GC Services for the project, a detailed
proposal for performance of the Work by the CM/GC or an Affiliate or subsidiary
of the CM/GC. If required by the Contracting Agency, the CM/GC’s proposal
to perform the construction Work must be supported by at least one independent cost
estimate prior to the Work being included in the Contract.
(n) Unsuccessful Subcontractor
Briefing. ORS 279C.337(3)(e) is designed to allow a subcontractor who was not selected
by the CM/GC to perform a particular element of the construction Work to obtain
specific information from the CM/GC, and meet with the CM/GC to discuss the subcontractor
qualification and selection process involved and the CM/GC’s subcontractor
selection decisions, in order to better understand why the subcontractor was not
successful in being selected to perform the particular element of the Work and to
improve the subcontractor’s substantive qualifications or the subcontractor’s
methods in competing for elements of the Work for the particular project involved,
or for future projects. The briefing meetings may be held with individual subcontractors
or, if the subcontractors agree, in groups of subcontractors, with those groups
established by bid package or other designation agreed to by the contracting agency
and the CM/GC. Nevertheless, the CM/GC is not obligated to provide this briefing
opportunity unless the CM/GC receives a written request from a subcontractor to
discuss the subcontractor qualification and selection process involved. Unless the
Contracting Agency and the CM/GC agree on a different schedule, the CM/GC Contract
should include provisions:
(A) Allowing a subcontractor
60 days from the CM/GC’s notice of award of a subcontract for a particular
Work package to request, in writing, a post-selection meeting with the CM/GC under
this section; and
(B) Requiring the CM/GC to
set a meeting with the subcontractor under this section within 45 days of the subcontractor’s
written request.
(o) Performance and Payment
Bonds. Provided no construction Work is included with the pre-construction services
to be performed under the initial form of the CM/GC Contract, no performance bond
or payment bond is required to be provided by the CM/GC at the time of Contract
signing, consistent with ORS 279C.380. Once construction Work is included in the
Contract and authorized by the Contracting Agency to be performed by the CM/GC,
however, the CM/GC must provide a performance bond and payment bond each in the
full amount of any Early Work to be performed by the CM/GC, or the full amount of
the GMP, fixed Contract Price or other maximum Contract Price, as applicable. Furthermore,
in the event additional Early Work is added to the CM/GC Contract after the initial
Early Work or in the event an amendment to the CM/GC Contract is made so that the
GMP, fixed Contract Price or other maximum Contract Price must be increased, the
performance bond and the payment bond must each be increased in an amount equal
to the additional Early Work or the increased GMP, fixed Contract Price or other
maximum Contract Price.
(p) Independent Review of
CM/GC Performance; Conflicts of Interest. If a Contracting Agency requires independent
review, monitoring, inspection or other oversight of a CM/GC’s performance
of pre-construction Personal Services, construction Work or both pre-construction
Personal Services and construction Work, the Contracting Agency must obtain those
independent review services from a Contractor independent of the CM/GC, the CM/GC’s
Affiliates and the CM/GC’s Subcontractors, pursuant to the requirements of
ORS 279C.307. However, ORS 279C.307 does not prohibit the following:
(A) The CM/GC’s performance
of both pre-construction Personal Services and construction Work that are included
within the definition of CM/GC Services, consistent with ORS 279C.307(2); or
(B) The CM/GC’s performance
of internal quality control services, quality assurance services or other internal
peer review of CM/GC work product that is intended to confirm the CM/GC’s
performance of the CM/GC Contract according to its terms.
(q) Socio-Economic Programs.
The Contract shall clearly identify conditions relating to any required socio-economic
programs (such as Affirmative Action or Prison Inmate Labor Programs), including
the manner in which such programs affect the CM/GC's subcontracting requirements,
the enforcement mechanisms available, and the respective responsibilities of the
CM/GC and Contracting Agency.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065
Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.335,
279C.337 & 279C.380(2)
Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 10-2014(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14; Administrative correction, 1-27-15; DOJ
2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15

Contract Provisions

137-049-0800
Required Contract Clauses
Except as provided by OAR 137-0490-0150 and 137-049-0160, Contracting Agencies shall include in all Solicitation Documents for Public Improvement Contracts all of the ORS Chapter 279C required Contract clauses, as set forth in the checklist contained in OAR 137-049-0200(1)(c) regarding Solicitation Documents. The following series of rules provides further guidance regarding particular Public Contract provisions.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 297C.505 - 279C.545 & 279C.800 - 279C.870

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0810
Waiver of Delay Damages Against Public Policy
Contracting Agencies shall not place any provision in a Public Improvement Contract purporting to waive, release, or extinguish the rights of a Contractor to damages resulting from a Contracting Agency's unreasonable delay in performing the Contract. However, Contract provisions requiring notice of delay, providing for alternative dispute resolution such as arbitration (where allowable) or mediation, providing other procedures for settling contract disputes, or providing for reasonable liquidated damages, are permissible.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.315

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05
137-049-0815
BOLI Public Works Bond
Pursuant to ORS 279C.830(2), the specifications for every Public Works Contract shall contain a provision stating that the Contractor and every subcontractor must have a Public Works bond filed with the Construction Contractors Board before starting Work on the project, unless otherwise exempt. This bond is in addition to performance bond and payment bond requirements. See BOLI rule at OAR 839-025-0015.
Stat. Auth: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.830

Hist.: DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
137-049-0820
Retainage
(1) Withholding of Retainage. A Contracting
Agency shall not retain an amount in excess of five percent of the Contract Price
for Work completed. If the Contractor has performed at least 50 percent of the Contract
Work and is progressing satisfactorily, upon the Contractor's submission of Written
application containing the surety's Written approval, the Contracting Agency may,
in its discretion, reduce or eliminate retainage on any remaining progress payments.
The Contracting Agency shall respond in Writing to all such applications within
a reasonable time. When the Contract Work is 97-1/2 percent completed, the Contracting
Agency may, at its discretion and without application by the Contractor, reduce
the retained amount to 100 percent of the value of the remaining unperformed Contract
Work. A Contracting Agency may at any time reinstate retainage. Retainage shall
be included in the final payment of the Contract Price.
(2) Form of Retainage. Unless
a Contracting Agency that reserves an amount as retainage finds in writing that
accepting a bond or instrument described in part (a) or (b) of this section poses
an extraordinary risk that is not typically associated with the bond or instrument,
the Contracting Agency, in lieu of withholding moneys from payment, shall accept
from the Contractor:
(a) Bonds, securities or
other instruments that are deposited and accepted as provided in subsection (4)(a)
of this rule; or
(b) A surety bond deposited
as provided in subsection (4)(b) of this rule.
(3) Deposit in interest-bearing
accounts. Upon request of the Contractor, a Contracting Agency shall deposit cash
retainage in an interest-bearing account in a bank, savings bank, trust company,
or savings association, for the benefit of the Contracting Agency. Earnings on such
account shall accrue to the Contractor. State Contracting Agencies shall establish
the account through the State Treasurer.
(4) Alternatives to cash
retainage. In lieu of cash retainage to be held by a Contracting Agency, the Contractor
may substitute one of the following:
(a) Deposit of bonds, securities
or other instruments:
(A) The Contractor may deposit
bonds, securities or other instruments with the Contracting Agency or in any bank
or trust company to be held for the benefit of the Contracting Agency. If the Contracting
Agency accepts the deposit, the Contracting Agency shall reduce the cash retainage
by an amount equal to the value of the bonds and securities, and reimburse the excess
to the Contractor.
(B) Bonds, securities or
other instruments deposited or acquired in lieu of cash retainage must be of a character
approved by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, which may include,
without limitation:
(i) Bills, certificates,
notes or bonds of the United States.
(ii) Other obligations of
the United States or agencies of the United States.
(iii) Obligations of a corporation
wholly owned by the Federal Government.
(iv) Indebtedness of the
Federal National Mortgage Association.
(v) General obligation bonds
of the State of Oregon or a political subdivision of the State of Oregon.
(vii) Irrevocable letters
of credit issued by an insured institution, as defined in ORS 706.008.
(C) Upon the Contracting
Agency's determination that all requirements for the protection of the Contracting
Agency's interests have been fulfilled, it shall release to the Contractor all bonds
and securities deposited in lieu of retainage.
(b) Deposit of surety bond.
A Contracting Agency, at its discretion, may allow the Contractor to deposit a surety
bond in a form acceptable to the Contracting Agency in lieu of all or a portion
of funds retained or to be retained. A Contractor depositing such a bond shall accept
surety bonds from its subcontractors and suppliers in lieu of retainage. In such
cases, retainage shall be reduced by an amount equal to the value of the bond, and
the excess shall be reimbursed.
(5) Recovery of costs. A
Contracting Agency may recover from the Contractor all costs incurred in the proper
handling of retainage by reduction of the final payment.
(6) Additional Retainage
When Certified Payroll Statements Not Filed. Pursuant to ORS 279C.845(7), if a Contractor
is required to file certified payroll statements and fails to do so, the Contracting
Agency shall retain 25 percent of any amount earned by the Contractor on a Public
Works Contract until the Contractor has filed such statements with the Contracting
Agency. The Contracting Agency shall pay the Contractor the amount retained under
this provision within 14 days after the Contractor files the certified statements,
regardless of whether a subcontractor has filed such statements (but see 279C.845(1)
regarding the requirement for both contractors and subcontractors to file certified
statements with the Contracting Agency). See BOLI rule at OAR 839-025-0010.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065 & 279C.845
Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.560,
279C.570 & 701.420
Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09,
cert. ef. 1-1-10; DOJ 10-2014(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14; Administrative
correction, 1-27-15; DOJ 2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15
137-049-0830
Contractor Progress Payments
(1) Request for progress payments. Each month the Contractor shall submit to the Contracting Agency its Written request for a progress payment based upon an estimated percentage of Contract completion. At the Contracting Agency's discretion, this request may also include the value of material to be incorporated in the completed Work that has been delivered to the premises and appropriately stored. The sum of these estimates is referred to as the "value of completed Work." With these estimates as a base, the Contracting Agency will make a progress payment to the Contractor, which shall be equal to:
(a) The value of completed Work;
(b) Less those amounts that have been previously paid;
(c) Less other amounts that may be deductible or owing and due to the Contracting Agency for any cause; and
(d) Less the appropriate amount of retainage.
(2) Progress payments do not mean acceptance of Work. Progress payments shall not be construed as an acceptance or approval of any part of the Work, and shall not relieve the Contractor of responsibility for defective workmanship or material.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.570

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05
137-049-0840
Interest
(1) Prompt payment policy. A Contracting Agency shall pay promptly all payments due and owing to the Contractor on Contracts for Public Improvements.
(2) Interest on progress payments. Late payment interest shall begin to accrue on payments due and owing on the earlier of 30 Days after receipt of invoice or 15 Days after Contracting Agency approval of payment (the "Progress Payment Due Date"). The interest rate shall equal three times the discount rate on 90-day commercial paper in effect on the Progress Payment Due Date at the Federal Reserve Bank in the Federal Reserve district that includes Oregon, up to a maximum rate of 30 percent.
(3) Interest on final payment. Final payment on the Contract Price, including retainage, shall be due and owing no later than 30 Days after Contract completion and acceptance of the Work. Late-payment interest on such final payment shall thereafter accrue at the rate of one and one-half percent per month until paid.
(4) Settlement or judgment interest. In the event of a dispute as to compensation due a Contractor for Work performed, upon settlement or judgment in favor of the Contractor, interest on the amount of the settlement or judgment shall be added to, and not made part of, the settlement or judgment. Such interest, at the discount rate on 90-day commercial paper in effect at the Federal Reserve Bank in the Federal Reserve District that includes Oregon, shall accrue from the later of the Progress Payment Due Date, or thirty Days after the Contractor submitted a claim for payment to the Contracting Agency in Writing or otherwise in accordance with the Contract requirements.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.570

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05
137-049-0850
Final Inspection
(1) Notification of Completion; inspection. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Agency in Writing when the Contractor considers the Contract Work completed. Within 15 Days of receiving Contractor's notice, the Contracting Agency will inspect the project and project records, and will either accept the Work or notify the Contractor of remaining Work to be performed.
(2) Acknowledgment of acceptance. When the Contracting Agency finds that all Work required under the Contract has been completed satisfactorily, the Contracting Agency shall acknowledge acceptance of the Work in Writing.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.570

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05
137-049-0860
Public Works Contracts
(1) Generally. ORS 279C.800
to 279C.870 regulates Public Works Contracts, as defined in 279C.800(6), and requirements
for payment of prevailing wage rates. Also see administrative rules of the Bureau
of Labor and Industries (BOLI) at OAR chapter 839.
(2) Required Contract Conditions.
As detailed in the above statutes and rules, every Public Works Contract must contain
the following provisions:
(a) Contracting Agency authority
to pay certain unpaid claims and charge such amounts to Contractors, as set forth
in ORS 279C.515(1).
(b) Maximum hours of labor and
overtime, as set forth in ORS 279C.520(1).
(c) Employer notice to employees
of hours and days that employees may be required to work, as set forth in ORS 279C.520(2).
(d) Contractor required payments
for certain services related to sickness or injury, as set forth in ORS 279C.530.
(e) A requirement for payment
of prevailing rate of wage, as set forth in ORS 279C.830(1). If both state and federal
prevailing rates of wage apply, the contract and every subcontract must provide
that all workers must be paid the higher of the applicable state or federal prevailing
rate of wage.
(f) A requirement for filing
a public works bond by contractor and every subcontractor, as set forth in ORS 279C.830(2).
(3) Requirements for Specifications.
The Specifications for every Public Works Contract, consisting of the procurement
package (such as the project manual, Bid or Proposal booklets, request for quotes
or similar procurement Specifications), must contain the following provisions:
(a) The state prevailing rate
of wage, and, if applicable, the federal prevailing rate of wage, as required by
ORS 279C.830(1)(a):
(A) Physically contained within
or attached to hard copies of procurement Specifications;
(B) Included by a statement
incorporating the applicable wage rate publication into the Specifications by reference,
in compliance with OAR 839-025-0020; or, (iii) when the rates are available electronically
or by Internet access, the rates may be incorporated into the Specifications by
referring to the rates and providing adequate information on how to access them
in compliance with OAR 839-025-0020.
(b) If both state and federal
prevailing rates of wage apply, a requirement that the contractor shall pay the
higher of the applicable state or federal prevailing rate of wage to all workers.
See BOLI rules at OAR 839-025-0020 and 0035.
(c) A requirement for filing
a public works bond by contractor and every subcontractor, as set forth in ORS 279C.830(2).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.800
- 279C.870, OL 2011, ch 458

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04,
cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07,
cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 15-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; DOJ 10-2011, f. 11-29-11,
cert. ef. 1-1-12
137-049-0870
Specifications; Brand Name Products
(1) Generally. The Contracting Agency's Solicitation Document shall not expressly or implicitly require any product by brand name or mark, nor shall it require the product of any particular manufacturer or seller, except pursuant to an exemption granted under ORS 279C.345(2).
(2) Equivalents. A Contracting Agency may identify products by brand names as long as the following language: "approved equal"; "or equal"; "approved equivalent" or "equivalent," or similar language is included in the Solicitation Document. The Contracting Agency shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether an Offeror's alternate product is "equal" or "equivalent."
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.345

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06
137-049-0880
Records Maintenance; Right to Audit Records
(1) Records Maintenance; Access. Contractors and subcontractors shall maintain all fiscal records relating to Contracts in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). In addition, Contractors and subcontractors shall maintain all other records necessary to clearly document (i) their performance; and (ii) any claims arising from or relating to their performance under a Public Contract. Contractors and subcontractors shall make all records pertaining to their performance and any claims under a Contract (the books, fiscal records and all other records, hereafter referred to as "Records") accessible to the Contracting Agency at reasonable times and places, whether or not litigation has been filed as to such claims.
(2) Inspection and Audit. A Contracting Agency may, at reasonable times and places, have access to and an opportunity to inspect, examine, copy, and audit the Records of any Person that has submitted cost or pricing data according to the terms of a Contract to the extent that the Records relate to such cost or pricing data. If the Person must provide cost or pricing data under a Contract, the Person shall maintain such Records that relate to the cost or pricing data for 3 years from the date of final payment under the Contract, unless a shorter period is otherwise authorized in Writing.
(3) Records Inspection; Contract Audit. The Contracting Agency, and its authorized representatives, shall be entitled to inspect, examine, copy, and audit any Contractor's or subcontractor's Records, as provided in section 1 of this rule. The Contractor and subcontractor shall maintain the Records and keep the Records accessible and available at reasonable times and places for a minimum period of 3 years from the date of final payment under the Contract or subcontract, as applicable, or until the conclusion of any audit, controversy or litigation arising out of or related to the Contract, whichever date is later, unless a shorter period is otherwise authorized in Writing.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279A.030, 279C.375, 279C.380 & 279C.440

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05
137-049-0890
Contracting Agency Payment for Unpaid Labor or Supplies
(1) Contract incomplete. If the Contract is still in force, the Contracting Agency may, in accordance with ORS 279C.515(1), pay a valid claim to the Person furnishing the labor or services, and charge the amount against payments due or to become due to the Contractor under the Contract. If a Contracting Agency chooses to make such a payment as provided in 279C.515(1), the Contractor and the Contractor's surety shall not be relieved from liability for unpaid claims.
(2) Contract completed. If the Contract has been completed and all funds disbursed to the prime Contractor, all claims shall be referred to the Contractor's surety for resolution. The Contracting Agency shall not make payments to subcontractors or suppliers for Work already paid for by the Contracting Agency.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.515

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05
137-049-0900
Contract Suspension; Termination Procedures
(1) Suspension of Work. In the event a Contracting Agency suspends performance of Work for any reason considered by the Contracting Agency to be in the public interest other than a labor dispute, the Contractor shall be entitled to a reasonable extension of Contract time, and to reasonable compensation for all costs, including a reasonable allowance for related overhead, incurred by the Contractor as a result of the suspension.
(2) Termination of Contract by mutual agreement for reasons other than default.
(a) Reasons for termination. The parties may agree to terminate the Contract or a divisible portion thereof if:
(A) The Contracting Agency suspends Work under the Contract for any reason considered to be in the public interest (other than a labor dispute, or any judicial proceeding relating to the Work filed to resolve a labor dispute); and
(B) Circumstances or conditions are such that it is impracticable within a reasonable time to proceed with a substantial portion of the Work.
(b) Payment. When a Contract, or any divisible portion thereof, is terminated pursuant to this section (2), the Contracting Agency shall pay the Contractor a reasonable amount of compensation for preparatory Work completed, and for costs and expenses arising out of termination. The Contracting Agency shall also pay for all Work completed, based on the Contract Price. Unless the Work completed is subject to unit or itemized pricing under the Contract, payment shall be calculated based on percent of Contract completed. No claim for loss of anticipated profits will be allowed.
(3) Public interest termination by Contracting Agency. A Contracting Agency may include in its Contracts terms detailing the circumstances under which the Contractor shall be entitled to compensation as a matter of right in the event the Contracting Agency unilaterally terminates the Contract for any reason considered by the Contracting Agency to be in the public interest.
(4) Responsibility for completed Work. Termination of the Contract or a divisible portion thereof pursuant to this rule shall not relieve either the Contractor or its surety of liability for claims arising out of the Work performed.
(5) Remedies cumulative. The Contracting Agency may, at its discretion, avail itself of any or all rights or remedies set forth in these rules, in the Contract, or available at law or in equity.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279C.650, 279C.655, 279C.660, 279C.665 & 279C.670

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06
137-049-0910
Changes to the Work and Contract Amendments
(1) Definitions for Rule. As used in this rule:
(a) "Amendment" means a Written modification to the terms and conditions of a Public Improvement Contract, other than by Changes to the Work, within the general scope of the original Procurement that requires mutual agreement between the Contracting Agency and the Contractor.
(b) "Changes to the Work" means a mutually agreed upon change order, or a construction change directive or other Written order issued by the Contracting Agency or its authorized representatives to the Contractor requiring a change in the Work within the general scope of a Public Improvement Contract and issued under its changes provisions in administering the Contract and, if applicable, adjusting the Contract Price or contract time for the changed Work.
(2) Changes Provisions. Changes to the Work are anticipated in construction and, accordingly, Contracting Agencies shall include changes provisions in all Public Improvement Contracts that detail the scope of the changes clause, provide pricing mechanisms, authorize the Contracting Agency or its authorized representatives to issue Changes to the Work and provide a procedure for addressing Contractor claims for additional time or compensation. When Changes to the Work are agreed to or issued consistent with the Contract's changes provisions they are not considered to be new Procurements and an exemption from competitive bidding is not required for their issuance by Contracting Agencies.
(3) Change Order Authority. Contracting Agencies may establish internal limitations and delegations for authorizing Changes to the Work, including dollar limitations. Dollar limitations on Changes to the Work are not set by these Model Rules, but such changes are limited by the above definition of that term.
(4) Contract Amendments. Contract Amendments within the general scope of the original Procurement are not considered to be new Procurements and an exemption from competitive bidding is not required in order to add components or phases of Work specified in or reasonably implied from the Solicitation Document. Amendments to a Public Improvement Contract may be made only when:
(a) They are within the general scope of the original Procurement;
(b) The field of competition and Contractor selection would not likely have been affected by the Contract modification. Factors to be considered in making that determination include similarities in Work, project site, relative dollar values, differences in risk allocation and whether the original Procurement was accomplished through competitive bidding, competitive Proposals, competitive quotes, sole source or Emergency contract;
(c) In the case of a Contract obtained under an Alternative Contracting Method, any additional Work was specified or reasonably implied within the findings supporting the competitive bidding exemption; and
(d) The Amendment is made consistent with this rule and other applicable legal requirements.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 279A.065

Stats. Implemented: ORS 279A.065, 279C.335 & 279C.400

Hist.: DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05; DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06

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