1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule or regulation to the contrary, whenever a purchase, contract or agreement is to be made, negotiated or awarded after public bidding pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1954, c.48 (C. 52:34-6 et seq.) by the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property or the Director of the Division of Building and Construction, as the case may be, or pursuant to R.S.52:32-2, any responsible bidder whose bid would be most advantageous to the State pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1954,c.48 (C. 52:34-12) or who is selected pursuant to R.S.52:32-2 shall certify that:

1) they have no business operations in Northern Ireland; or

2) they will take lawful steps in good faith to conduct any business operations they have in Northern Ireland in accordance with the MacBride principles of nondiscrimination in employment as set forth in section 2 of P.L.1987, c.177 (C. 52:18A-89.5), and in conformance with the United Kingdom’s Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act of 1989, and permit independent monitoring of their compliance with those principles.

b. If a bidder who would otherwise be awarded a purchase, contract or agreement does not agree to comply with the provisions of subsection a. of this section and another bidder who has agreed to stipulate to the conditions set forth therein has submitted a bid within five percent of the most advantageous bid for a purchase, contract or agreement to supply goods, services or construction of comparable quality, the contracting entity shall refer such bids to the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property or the Director of the Division of Building and Construction, as the case may be, who may determine, in accordance with applicable law and rules, that it is in the best interest of the State that the purchase, contract or agreement be awarded to the latter bidder.

c. Upon receiving information that a party to a purchase, contract or agreement to supply goods, services or construction is in violation of the principles required by subsection a. of this section, the contracting agency shall review the information and offer the party an opportunity to respond. If the contracting agency finds that a violation has occurred, it shall take such action as may be appropriate and provided for by law, rule or contract, including, but not limited to, imposing sanctions, seeking compliance, recovering damages, declaring the party in default and seeking debarment or suspension of the party.

d. The provisions of this section shall not apply to contracts in which the application of the provisions would jeopardize the receipt of federal funds.

For the purposes of this section, a corporation conducts business operations in Northern Ireland if the corporation has ongoing business activities in Northern Ireland and maintains a physical presence therein through the operation of offices, plants, factories, or similar facilities, either directly or indirectly through intermediaries, subsidiaries or affiliated companies over which the corporation maintains effective control.

L.1995,c.134.