§ 15-820 — Frequency and time period of payments to prime contractor

- Exemption - Suspension and resumption of work. A. Bid Projects. 1. On all private construction projects in which a set of plans or specifications or both plans and specifications are issued for bid, the owner shall specify in writing the frequency and time period for payments to the prime contractor. The general specifications and the first page of all bid plans shall include the following, or substantially similar, language: OWNER SHALL ISSUE PAYMENTS WITH A FREQUENCY OF __________. OWNER SHALL ISSUE EACH PAYMENT TO THE PRIME CONTRACTOR WITHIN ________ DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF CONTRACTOR’S BILLING. Any resulting contract shall include the payment frequency and time period prescribed in the general specifications and bid plans. An architect, engineer, or other entity preparing the plans and specifications for the owner shall not be liable for the failure to include the payment terms on a set of plans or specifications used for bidding purposes. 2. If the owner fails to comply with the provisions of paragraph 1 of this subsection, the following shall be applicable: a. the owner shall make monthly progress payments, and b. payments shall be due within twenty-eight (28) calendar days after receipt of billing. 3. The owner may reduce the progress payment as provided for in the contract. 4. Subcontractors shall be paid by the prime contractor within ten (10) calendar days of payment from the owner, or as otherwise agreed to by the parties. Payment may be reduced as provided for in the subcontract. B. Private Negotiated Projects. 1. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall not be applicable to private negotiated projects. 2. An owner may choose to negotiate a construction contract with a contractor, and may also choose to keep the payment terms of that contract private. 3. If a contractor invites a subcontractor to bid on any portion of a negotiated project, the contractor shall clearly define the contractor’s payment term upon issuance of the invitation to bid. Such payment term shall be defined as to the frequency that payments shall be made, and a specific day of the month that the subcontractor shall expect to receive each payment. 4. Any subcontract negotiated pursuant to this subsection shall include the same payment terms as were represented by the prime contractor to the subcontractor prior to the acceptance of the bid of the subcontractor. Payment may be reduced as provided for in the subcontract. C. Suspension of Work for Bid Projects and Private Negotiated Projects. 1. The prime contractor may suspend work: a. when payment has not been received within ten (10) calendar days of the date payment should have been received, b. if the prime contractor has complied with the contract, and c. if the prime contractor has given the owner ten (10) calendar days written notice of work suspension delivered by certified mail or other verifiable service. 2. Subcontractors may suspend work: a. when payment has not been received within ten (10) calendar days of the date payment should have been received, b. if the subcontractor has complied with the subcontract, and c. if the subcontractor has given the prime contractor ten (10) calendar days written notice of work suspension delivered by certified mail or other verifiable service. D. Resumption of Work. No prime contractor or subcontractor shall be required to resume work until: 1. Receipt of full payment of undisputed portions of outstanding billing; 2. The contracted work schedule is extended the number of days of delay; and 3. A change order is issued for the verifiable direct cost of suspension, delay and start-up.

Legislative History

Added by Laws 2010, c. 208, § 1, emerg. eff. May 5, 2010.