Section 198 - Specifying surety or agent; penalty(a) It is unlawful for any representative of a contracting body, in issuing an invitation for bids, to require that any bond specified in section 3 of this act or authorized under section 3.1 of this act be furnished by a particular surety company or through a particular agent or broker.(b) Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), or undergo imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.1967, Dec. 20, P.L. 869, §8, effective in 30 days. Amended 2001, Dec. 17, P.L. 917, No. 106, § 1, imd. effective.