Disclosure of Consulting Agreements
Sec. 4a-81. Contracts for goods and services over fifty thousand dollars. Affidavit by bidder or vendor re consulting agreements. Failure to submit. Disqualification.
a. (a) No state agency or quasi-public agency shall execute a contract for the purchase of goods or services, which contract has a total value to the state of fifty thousand dollars or more in any calendar or fiscal year, unless the state agency or quasi-public agency obtains the affidavit described in subsection (b) of this section.
b.
1. Any principal or key personnel of a person, firm or corporation who submit bids or proposals for a contract described in subsection (a) of this section shall attest in an affidavit as to whether any consulting agreement has been entered into in connection with any such contract. Such affidavit shall be required if any duties of the consultant included communications concerning business of a state or quasi-public agency, whether or not direct contact with a state agency, state or public official or state employee was expected or made. As used in this section, "consulting agreement" means any written or oral agreement to retain the services, for a fee, of a consultant for the purposes of (A) providing counsel to a contractor, vendor, consultant or other entity seeking to conduct, or conducting, business with the state, (B) contacting, whether in writing or orally, any executive, judicial, or administrative office of the state, including any department, institution, bureau, board, commission, authority, official or employee for the purpose of solicitation, dispute resolution, introduction, requests for information, or (C) any other similar activity related to such contracts. "Consulting agreement" does not include any agreements entered into with a consultant who is registered under the provisions of chapter 10 as of the date such affidavit is submitted in accordance with the provisions of this section.
2. Such affidavit shall be sworn as true to the best knowledge and belief of the person signing the certification on the affidavit and shall be subject to the penalties of false statement.
3. Such affidavit shall include the following information for each consulting agreement listed: The name of the consultant, the consultant's firm, the basic terms of the consulting agreement, a brief description of the services provided, and an indication as to whether the consultant is a former state employee or public official. If the consultant is a former state employee or public official, such affidavit shall indicate his or her former agency and the date such employment terminated.
4. After the initial submission of such affidavit, the principal or key personnel of the person, firm or corporation shall not be required to resubmit such affidavit unless there is a change in the information contained in such affidavit. If there is any change in the information contained in the most recently filed affidavit required under this section, the principal or key personnel of a person, firm or corporation who submit bids or proposals for a contract described in subsection (a) of this section shall submit an updated affidavit either (A) not later than thirty days after the effective date of any such change, or (B) upon the submittal of any new bid or proposal, whichever is earlier.
c. Each state agency and quasi-public agency shall include a notice of the affidavit requirements of this section in the bid specifications or request for proposals for any contract that is described in subsection (a) of this section.
d. In the event that a bidder or vendor refuses to submit the affidavit required under subsection (b) of this section, such bidder or vendor shall be disqualified and the state agency or quasi-public agency shall award the contract to the next highest ranked vendor or the next lowest responsible qualified bidder or seek new bids or proposals.