S.C. Code Ann. § 11-35-3021 – Subcontractor substitution

(1) After notice of an award or intended award has been given, whichever is earlier, the prospective contractor identified in the notice may not substitute a business as subcontractor in place of a subcontractor listed in the prospective contractor's bid or proposal, except for one or more of the following reasons:
1. (a) upon a showing satisfactory to the governmental body by the prospective contractor that:
  1. (i) the listed subcontractor is not financially responsible;
  2. (ii) the listed subcontractor's scope of work did not include a portion of the work required in the plans and specifications, and the exclusion is not clearly set forth in the subcontractor's original bid;
  3. (iii) the listed subcontractor was listed as a result of an inadvertent clerical error, but only if that request is made within four working days of opening;
  4. (iv) the listed subcontractor failed or refused to submit a performance and payment bond when requested by the prospective contractor after the subcontractor had represented to the prospective contractor that the subcontractor could obtain a performance and payment bond; and
  5. (v) the listed subcontractor must be licensed and did not have the license at the time required by law;
2. (b) if the listed subcontractor fails or refuses to perform his subcontract;
3. (c) if the work of the listed subcontractor is found by the governmental body to be substantially unsatisfactory;
4. (d) upon mutual agreement of the contractor and subcontractor; and
5. (e) with the consent of the governmental body for good cause shown.
(2) The request for substitution must be made to the governmental body in writing. This written request does not give rise to a private right of action against the prospective contractor in the absence of actual malice.
(3) If substitution is allowed, the prospective contractor, before obtaining prices from another subcontractor, must attempt in good faith to negotiate a subcontract with at least one subcontractor whose bid was received before the submission of the prospective contractor's offer. This section does not affect a contractor's ability to request withdrawal of a bid in accordance with the provisions of this code and the regulations promulgated pursuant to it.
(4) This section applies to a procurement conducted using the source selection methods authorized by Section 11-35-3015(2)(b), (3), (5), (6), (7), and (8).