(Formerly Sec. 4-134c). Consultant services. Invitation of responses. Consideration by selection panel

(a) Whenever consultant services are required by the commissioner in fulfilling the responsibilities under section 4b-1, and in the case of each project, the commissioner shall invite responses from such firms by posting notice on the State Contracting Portal, except that the commissioner may receive consultant services under a contract entered into pursuant to subsection (e) of section 4b-51. The commissioner shall prescribe, by regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54, the advance notice required for, the manner of submission, and conditions and requirements of, such responses. (b) In the case of a project, the responses received shall be considered by the selection panel. The panel shall select from among those responding no fewer than three firms, which such panel determines in accordance with criteria established by the commissioner are most qualified to perform the required consultant services. In the case of any project that requires consultant services by an architect or professional engineer, additional criteria to be considered by such panel in selecting a list of the most qualified firms shall include: (1) Such firm's knowledge of this state's building and fire codes, and (2) the geographic location of such firm in relation to the geographic location of the proposed project. The selection panel shall submit a list of the most qualified firms to the commissioner for the commissioner's consideration unless fewer than three responses for a particular project have been received, in which case the panel shall submit the names of all firms who have submitted responses. (c) In the case of consultants selected under subsection (e) of section 4b-51, except consultants selected under subparagraph (B)(ii) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 4b-51, the responses received shall be considered by the selection panel. The panel shall select, from among those persons responding, a list of those persons most qualified to perform the consultant services. Knowledge of the state building and fire code and whether the consultant is a micro business, as defined in subsection (c) of section 4a-59, shall be considered in determining a consultant's qualifications.