Communications and conduct

(a) Except for communications authorized by sections 4b-24-4 and 4b-24-7 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, no other communications shall occur between employees of the State of Connecticut, interview panel members or screening panel members with substantive information concerning the work for which proposals are being solicited under sections 4b-24(4) or 4b-91(g) of the Connecticut General Statutes, and any member of a design-build team or special legislation contractor, or anyone on behalf of such teams or contractors. Nothing in this section prohibits communication with regard to nonsubstantive communications, such as directions to the department to pick up construction plans or information about the hours the department is open. (b) Each screening and interview panel member shall submit to the commissioner a written certification attesting to the facts set forth in section 4b-100a(e)(3) of the Connecticut General Statutes, and that the panel member: (1) has not communicated with any member of a design-build team or special legislation contractor, or anyone on their behalf, prior to the panel member's final scoring of each such team or contractor, except as provided in sections 4b-24-4 and 4b-24-7 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; and (2) has no financial, personal or other interest in the outcome of the selection process. (c) No employee shall participate in the selection of a design-build team or special legislation contractor or the award of a contract thereto if there is a conflict of interest, including, but not limited to the employee, the employee's spouse, child, child's spouse, brother, sister, mother, father, in-law or step children or their spouse, or fiancé or fiancée having a financial, personal or other interest in a person, firm, or other entity that is a design-build team member or a member of a special legislation contractor's construction team being considered for the contract award. For the purposes of this section, "financial, personal or other interest" shall include, but not be limited to, the receipt or promise of gifts, favors, services, or anything of value from such person, firm or entity. (d) Panel members involved in the selection of a design-build team or special legislation contractor and employees involved in the selection process or the award of a contract shall neither accept nor solicit gifts, favors, services or anything of value from a person, firm, or other entity that is seeking to do business or is doing business with the department. (e) All requests for additional information or an interpretation of the meaning of plans, specifications, proposal requirements and other documents shall be submitted in writing to the department's designated representative. The request shall be received at least five (5) business days prior to the deadline for submitting a proposal. No interpretations of the meaning of plans, specifications, proposal requirements and other contract documents shall be made orally to anyone who may submit a proposal or anyone on their behalf. All responses to such inquiries or requests shall be posted on the department's web site or be in the form of written addenda to the plans, specifications or other contract documents that shall be transmitted by mail, e-mail or fax to the lead firm of each design-build team or to the special legislation contractors.