The public official may require, from a firm proposing to bid on public work duly advertised, a standard qualification statement and a letter from a licensed bonding company confirming that the firm has the financial capacity to perform the work before furnishing that person with plans and specifications for the proposed public work advertised.

The Director of General Services, after consultation with the appropriate department head or superintendent of schools, may refuse to release plans and specifications to a general contractor or subcontractor for the purpose of bidding on a project:

1. Untimely completion. If, in the opinion of the director, there is evidence the general contractor or subcontractor has not completed in a timely manner a prior construction project or projects and the resulting noncompletion clearly reflects disregard for the completion date and has created a hardship for the owner;

2. Incomplete work. If, in the opinion of the director, there is evidence the general contractor or subcontractor has a history of inability to complete similar work;

3. Insufficient resources. If, in the opinion of the director, there is evidence the general contractor or subcontractor does not have sufficient resources to successfully complete the work or if the general contractor or subcontractor is unable to obtain bonding for the project; or

4. Misconduct. If the general contractor or subcontractor has been convicted of collusion or fraud or any other civil or criminal violation relating to construction projects.

If a general contractor or subcontractor is disqualified for any of the reasons stated in subsection 1, 2 or 4, the director may disallow the general contractor or subcontractor from bidding on any similar public improvements for a period not to exceed one year.

Sec. 4. Application. This Act applies to public improvement projects for which contracts are signed on or after January 1, 2000.