Contracting Preference Programs

While the public procurement official must always be committed to open competition, many socioeconomic programs have been adopted by legislature that can  impact public competition. Examples of social policies adopted in Connecticut include environmental and sustainability mandates, small and minority set-asides, locally grown or produced food products, and price preferences for veteran-owned businesses, microbusinesses, and more. In such instances, the contracting or purchasing official must abide by the laws surrounding the preference.

• Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) – C.G.S. Ch. 174 Sec. 10-298b and Food Services/Vending Preference – C.G.S. Ch. 174 Sec. 10-303
• Connecticut Grown and/or Produced – C.G.S. Ch. 58* Sec. 4a-51(b) 
• Correctional Enterprises of CT – C.G.S. Ch. 325 Sec. 18-88(g)
• Disabled Preference – C.G.S. Ch. 319mm Sec. 17b-656 
• Janitorial Work Pilot Program – C.G.S. Ch. 58* Sec. 4a-82 
• Supplier Diversity/Set Aside Program – C.G.S. Ch. 58 Sec. 4a-60g 
• Reciprocal Preference – C.G.S. Ch. 62 Sec. 4e-48
• Price Preferences – C.G.S. Ch. 58* Sec. 4a-59(c)
  • The purchase of goods with recycled materials other purchase of recyclable or remanufactured product (10%),
  • The purchase of motor vehicle powered by clean alternative fuel or to convert a motor vehicle to be able to use alternative fuel or dual use of clean alternative fuel (10%).
  • All other things being equal a preference to Connecticut based contractors.
  • C.G.S. Ch. 58* Sec. 4a-59 includes a micro-business price preference of 10%. “Micro-business” means a business with gross revenues not exceeding three million dollars in the most recently completed fiscal year.
  • Public Act 16-184 amended 4a-59 to include a 15% price preference for Veteran-Owned microbusinesses.