A Responsible Bidder Ordinance (RBO) simply outlines a set of criteria that a contractor bidding to work on a public construction project must meet in order to be awarded the contract. Most public bodies have a policy to award all construction work to the lowest bidder, or the lowest responsible bidder, but few define what it means to be considered responsible. An RBO provides a clear definition.
“Responsible Bidding ensures public dollars go to contractors, union and non-union, that adhere to a set of accountability measures and bring well-trained employees to the job.” – Illinois State Senator Terry Link
A quick overview of the criteria in a comprehensive RBO is as follows:
- Comply with all laws prerequisite to doing business in Illinois
- Produce Evidence of a Federal Employer tax ID number or social security number
- Provide evidence of compliance with Equal Opportunity Employer requirements
- Provide evidence of all specified insurance coverages
- Comply with all provisions of the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act
- Participate in a USDOL approved and registered apprenticeship program
- Comply with any other additional requirements a community may find beneficial
Here is a sample Ordinance that could be something any taxing body in Illinois could adopt to protect itself and its taxpayers from bad contractors: Download Sample