Township of West Deptford, NJ Chapter 13 Contracts for Significant Public Works Projects

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of West Deptford as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

Article I Workforce Standards

[Adopted 5-1-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-8]

§ 13-1 Purpose.

A. The Township of West Deptford ("Township") undertakes public works projects for the good and betterment of the citizens of the Township of West Deptford.

B. The Township regularly awards contracts under the local public contracts law to contractors charged with performing the work on these projects.

C. The Township seeks to establish procedures which will insure that the workmanship on each public works project will meet the highest standards of quality.

D. For the purpose of assuring such quality on significant public works projects, the Township, as a matter of public policy, desires that each successful bidder employ a workforce consisting of individuals who each possess the highest degree of skill available for a particular job, and who each receive fair compensation for his or her work.

E. The Township further desires that with respect to significant public works projects, the Township may be objectively assured that it will receive the highest quality workmanship only when a contractor assigns, to each particular job on the project, employees who have been trained in the trade related to that job, under an apprenticeship program established in compliance with N.J.S.A. 34:1A-32.

F. The payment of fair compensation, to the extent that it includes not only hourly compensation in compliance with our state's wage and hour laws and the Prevailing Wage Act (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.25 et seq.) but also the provision of health and hospital insurance benefits and participation in the defined benefit pension plan, provides workers assigned to significant public works projects with a level of confidence about their future which permits them to focus their full attention on the quality of their work.

G. Such fair compensation also attracts the highest quality workers available.

H. It is desirable public policy that all workers employed in the construction of significant public works projects undertaken by West Deptford Township receive health insurance coverage for themselves and their families and that they have the ability to plan for their future retirement through a pension.

I. It is necessary and proper for the Township of West Deptford to ensure that contracts for significant public works projects are awarded to the lowest responsible bidder in an open and competitive manner pursuant to specifications that are reasonably related to the work.

J. For the foregoing reasons, bid specifications for significant Township public works projects, as defined below, shall include the following material specifications designed to insure quality workmanship.

§ 13-2 Definitions.

As used in this article, the following term shall have the meaning indicated:

SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT

Construction, reconstruction, demolition, alteration, or repair work, or maintenance work, including painting and decorating, done under contract and paid for in whole or in part out of Township funds which equal or exceed the sum of $100,000 which sum shall be adjusted in accordance with the bid threshold provision of N.J.S.A. 40A:11-3, as amended from time to time.

§ 13-3 Requirements.

A. Any workers employed on a significant project shall be covered by a health and hospital insurance plan issued by an insurer licensed by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, a defined benefit pension plan, and an apprentice training program pursuant to the standards established under the Department of Labor and Industry Act of 1948 (N.J.S.A. 34:1A-34, et seq.).

B. A detailed statement describing the health insurance and pension plans and apprenticeship programs as required herein shall be completed and submitted as a material requirement of the bid in order for the bid to be accepted.

§ 13-4 Compliance required.

The Township of West Deptford may refuse to award a contract to a person or entity submitting a bid or proposal if that person or entity has filed or submitted false information, or failed to file or submit the information required by this article. Upon the award of a contract on a bid or proposal, the Township may require further proof of compliance with the standards set forth above. Upon request, the contractor shall make all relevant records available to the Township or its designee.