The New Jersey Assembly recently passed a bill that would require local government contracting units to make publicly accessible the names of all parties who have received documents related to a project's bidding.

"Any step that can make the government contracting process more open and transparent is a move toward greater accountability," said Assemblyman Joseph Egan (D-Middlesex).

"Our responsibility to taxpayers requires that we do everything possible to increase consistency in the public bidding process and ensure that projects paid for with public money are not done in secret."

The bill would require local contracting authorities to release the names of all parties sent bid materials when three or more bidders have received project documents.

Failure to release the names in a timely manner would prohibit the contracting unit from accepting any bids and require a re-advertisement for bids.

Egan said the bill also would ensure greater opportunities for subcontractors to participate in public projects. Under current practice, only subcontractors who are contacted directly by a bidder are able to submit their own bid for a share of the work.

Improving the ability for more subcontractors to compete would allow for more accurately assessed overall project costs, according to supporters of the bill.

The bill passed 75-2. It now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

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