(a) Contract for supplies or services.--
(1) In the case of competitive sealed bidding or competitive sealed proposals for a contract for supplies or services, bidders or offerors may be required by the contracting officer to provide bid or proposal security. Bid or proposal security shall be in the form of a certified or bank check or a bond provided by a surety company authorized to do business in this Commonwealth or another form of security as specified in the invitation for bids or request for proposals. Bid or proposal security shall be at least in the minimum amount or percentage of the amount of the bid as shall be specified in the advertisement, invitation for bids or request for proposals.
(2) When the invitation for bids or the request for proposals requires security, noncompliance by the bidder or offeror with the instructions in the invitation for bids or request for proposals requires that the bid or proposal be rejected unless it is determined that the bid or proposal fails to comply with the security requirements in a nonsubstantial manner.
(3) After the bids or proposals are opened, they shall be irrevocable for the period specified in the invitation for bids or the request for proposals except as provided in section 512(f) (relating to competitive sealed bidding). If a bidder or offeror is permitted to withdraw its bid or proposal before award, no action shall be had against the bidder or offeror or against the bid or proposal security.
(4) A contractor may be required by the contracting officer to provide a performance bond executed by a surety company authorized to do business in this Commonwealth. In lieu of a bond, a contractor may provide other security as permitted by the head of the purchasing agency. The performance bond or other required security shall be in an amount determined by the head of the purchasing agency, and it shall be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the contract.
(b) Contract for construction.--Bid security and performance bonds as required for contracts for construction are provided for in sections 902 (relating to bid or proposal security) and 903 (relating to contract performance security and payment bonds).
(Dec. 3, 2002, P.L.1147, No.142, eff. imd.)
2002 Amendment. Act 142 amended subsec. (a)(3).
Cross References. Section 533 is referred to in section 3753 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 5 - Source Selection and Contract Formation
Section 511 - Methods of source selection
Section 512 - Competitive sealed bidding
Section 512.1 - Competitive electronic auction bidding
Section 513 - Competitive sealed proposals
Section 514 - Small procurements
Section 515 - Sole source procurement
Section 516 - Emergency procurement
Section 518 - Competitive selection procedures for certain services
Section 519 - Selection procedure for insurance and notary bonds
Section 520 - Supplies manufactured and services performed by persons with disabilities
Section 521 - Cancellation of invitations for bids or requests for proposals
Section 531 - Debarment or suspension
Section 532 - Prequalification of bidders and offerors
Section 533 - Security and performance bonds
Section 534 - Cost or pricing data
Section 541 - Approval of accounting system
Section 542 - Multiterm contracts
Section 543 - Effective contracts
Section 551 - Right to inspect plant
Section 552 - Right to audit records
Section 561 - Finality of determinations
Section 562 - Anticompetitive practices