(a) Bonding.--Notwithstanding 62 Pa.C.S. Pt. I (relating to Commonwealth Procurement Code):
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a purchasing agency may reduce the level or change the types of bonding normally required or accept alternative forms of security to the extent reasonably necessary to encourage procurement from veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
(2) For contracts under $25,000, veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses shall be exempt from any bonding requirements.
(b) Progress payments.--A purchasing agency may make special provisions for progress payments as it deems reasonably necessary to encourage procurement from veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.