Public Contract Code section 4107

A prime contractor whose bid is accepted may not:

(a)

Substitute a person as subcontractor in place of the subcontractor listed in the original bid, except that the awarding authority, or its duly authorized officer, may, except as otherwise provided in Section 4107.5, consent to the substitution of another person as a subcontractor in any of the following situations:

(1)

When the subcontractor listed in the bid, after having had a reasonable opportunity to do so, fails or refuses to execute a written contract for the scope of work specified in the subcontractor’s bid and at the price specified in the subcontractor’s bid, when that written contract, based upon the general terms, conditions, plans, and specifications for the project involved or the terms of that subcontractor’s written bid, is presented to the subcontractor by the prime contractor.

(2)

When the listed subcontractor becomes insolvent or the subject of an order for relief in bankruptcy.

(3)

When the listed subcontractor fails or refuses to perform his or her subcontract.

(4)

When the listed subcontractor fails or refuses to meet the bond requirements of the prime contractor as set forth in Section 4108.

(5)

When the prime contractor demonstrates to the awarding authority, or its duly authorized officer, subject to the further provisions set forth in Section 4107.5, that the name of the subcontractor was listed as the result of an inadvertent clerical error.

(6)

When the listed subcontractor is not licensed pursuant to the Contractors License Law.

(7)

When the awarding authority, or its duly authorized officer, determines that the work performed by the listed subcontractor is substantially unsatisfactory and not in substantial accordance with the plans and specifications, or that the subcontractor is substantially delaying or disrupting the progress of the work.

(8)

When the listed subcontractor is ineligible to work on a public works project pursuant to Section 1777.1 or 1777.7 of the Labor Code.

(9)

When the awarding authority determines that a listed subcontractor is not a responsible contractor.
Prior to approval of the prime contractor’s request for the substitution, the awarding authority, or its duly authorized officer, shall give notice in writing to the listed subcontractor of the prime contractor’s request to substitute and of the reasons for the request. The notice shall be served by certified or registered mail to the last known address of the subcontractor. The listed subcontractor who has been so notified has five working days within which to submit written objections to the substitution to the awarding authority. Failure to file these written objections constitutes the listed subcontractor’s consent to the substitution.
If written objections are filed, the awarding authority shall give notice in writing of at least five working days to the listed subcontractor of a hearing by the awarding authority on the prime contractor’s request for substitution.

(b)

Permit a subcontract to be voluntarily assigned or transferred or allow it to be performed by anyone other than the original subcontractor listed in the original bid, without the consent of the awarding authority, or its duly authorized officer.

(c)

Other than in the performance of “change orders” causing changes or deviations from the original contract, sublet or subcontract any portion of the work in excess of one-half of 1 percent of the prime contractor’s total bid as to which his or her original bid did not designate a subcontractor.

Source: Section 4107, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=PCC§ionNum=4107.­ (accessed Apr. 24, 2025).

Last Updated

Apr. 24, 2025

§ 4107’s source at ca​.gov