This chapter does not apply to a small business with 30 or fewer employees. Except as provided in §A of this regulation, bidders, contractors and subcontractors on State-funded construction projects awarded through competitive sealed bidding under COMAR 21.05.02 shall pay employee health care expenses as outlined in §C of this regulation. A bidder, contractor, or subcontractor is deemed to pay employee health care expenses if it: Pays aggregate employee health care expenses of at least 5 percent of the aggregate Social Security wages paid by the bidder, contractor, or subcontractor respectively; or Pays 50 percent or more of the required premium necessary to obtain coverage by a credible health care insurance plan. For bids opened before July 1, 2021, a bidder, contractor, or subcontractor is deemed to pay employee health care expenses if it: Pays some portion of employee health care expenses under a contract with a credible health care insurance plan or through a collective bargaining agreement; and Will meet the requirements of either §C(1) or (2) of this regulation on renewal of either the contract with a credible health care insurance plan, or the collective bargaining agreement.