Section 9602 - Prequalification of bidders(a)Establishment.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department shall establish procedures to authorize third parties to prequalify competent and responsible bidders for high performance and conventional steel painting for highway and bridge projects.(b)Certification.--Bidders eligible for prequalification under subsection (a) shall have obtained a QP1 certification or QP2 certification, as appropriate, as developed by the Society for Protective Coatings, formerly known as the Steel Structures Painting Council, or other certification that is substantially equivalent to a QP1 or QP2 certification, as determined by the secretary.(c) Effectiveness.--The secretary's designation of a third party to prequalify bidders under this section shall be effective for a period not exceeding one year from the date of the designation.(d)Suspension or debarment.--Nothing under this section shall prevent the department from suspending or debarring a contractor, under the terms and conditions set forth in 67 Pa. Code §§ 457.13 (relating to suspension or debarment) and 457.14 (relating to debarment appeals procedure), that has been prequalified by a third party under this section.Added by P.L. 974 2013 No. 89, § 18, eff. 11/25/2013.