F. Contracts, proposals and bids.

The Act specifically states that “contracts” are public records unless subject to an exemption. Sections 301-303 (requiring access to public records); 102 (definition of “public record” and “financial record”). This requirement is virtually identical to the old act. See, e.g., Dep’t of Conservation and Nat. Res. v. Office of Open Records, 1 A.3d 929, 940-41 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2010) (approvingly citing interpretations of the “contracts” language in the old Act); Envirotest Partners v. Commonwealth Dep’t of Transp., 664 A.2d 208, 212 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1995) (interpreting the old act); Ryan v. Pennsylvania Higher Educ. Assistance Agency, 448 A.2d 669 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1982) (interpreting the old act).

Proposals and bids are exempt from disclosure “prior to the award of the contract or prior to the opening and rejection of all bids.” In addition, the Act specifically exempts “financial information of a bidder or offeror requested in an invitation for bid or request for proposals to demonstrate the bidder’s or offeror’s economic capability.” Section 708(b)(26).