The Connecticut legislature has recently passed a new statute, Public Act 11-229, effective October 1, 2011, which makes significant changes to the state’s public contracting laws in an effort to provide a boost to the stagnated Connecticut construction industry. The new law could be a double-edged sword, opening up possible opportunities for smaller New England-based utility contractors looking to break into the Connecticut market, while potentially limiting opportunities for non-Connecticut contractors who regularly perform utility work for the State of Connecticut. The new law, among other things, revamps the state statute concerning gift affidavits, relaxes the criteria for businesses to qualify as certified small business enterprises, and tasks the Department of Administrative Services with implementing a program to increase the number of public contracts awarded to Connecticut firms.

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