INFORMATION TO BIDDERS
 
1.  Defined Terms                                                                            8. Substitute or “Or Equal” Items
2. Copies of Bidding Documents                                                     9. Subcontractors, Suppliers and Others
3. Qualifications of Bidders                                                           10. BID Proposal
4. Date and Location of Receipt of Bids                                       11. Bids to Remain Subject to Acceptance
5. Interpretation and ADDENDA                                                   12. Retainage
6. CONTRACT Time                                                                     13. Performance and Payment Bonds
7. Liquidated Damages                                                                 14. Project Classification
 
1. Defined Terms:
 
Terms used in these Instructions to Bidders which are defined in the Standard General Provisions of the Construction CONTRACT have the meanings assigned to them in the General Provisions.  The term “Bidder” means one who submits a BID directly to OWNER, as distinct from a sub-bidder who submits a BID to a BIDDER.  The term “Successful BIDDER” means the lowest, qualified, responsible and responsive BIDDER to whom the OWNER (on the basis of OWNER’S EVALUAION AS HEREINAFTER PROVIDED) makes an award.  The term “Bidding Documents” includes the Advertisement, Instructions to Bidders, the BID Form and the proposed CONTRACT Documents (including all ADDENDA issued prior to the receipt of Bids). 
2. Copies of Bidding Documents:
 
2.1          Complete sets of the Bidding Documents may be obtained from the ENGINEER or Central Bidding (www.centralbidding.com).
 
2.2          Complete sets of Bidding Documents must be used in preparing Bids; OWNER assumes no responsibility for errors or misinterpretations resulting from the use of incomplete sets of Bidding Documents.
 
2.3          OWNER, in making copies of Bidding Documents available on the above terms, do so only for the purpose of obtaining Bids on the WORK and do not confer a license or grant for any other use.
 
3. Qualifications of Bidders:
 
3.1          To demonstrate qualification to perform the WORK, each BIDDER must be prepared to submit within five days of OWNER’S request for written evidence, such as financial data, previous experience, present commitments and other such data as may be called for in the Supplementary Conditions.  Each BID must contain evidence of Bidder’s qualifications to do business in the state where the PROJECT is located or covenant to obtain such qualifications prior to award of the CONTRACT.
 
4. Date and Location for Receipt of Bids:
 
4.1          Bids for this PROJECT shall be received no later than 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in the City Council Chambers (913 Third Street, Alexandria, LA 71301) where they will be publicly opened and read aloud.
 
5. Interpretations and ADDENDA:
 
5.1          All questions about the meaning or intent of the CONTRACT Documents are to be directed to the ENGINEER.  Interpretations or clarifications considered necessary by ENGINEER in response to such questions will be issued by ADDNEDA posted, mailed, emailed or delivered to all parties recorded by ENGINEER as having received the Bidding Documents.  Questions received less than seven days prior to the date for opening Bids may not be answered.  Only questions answered by formal written ADDENDA will be binding.  Oral and other interpretations or clarifications will be held without legal effect.
 
5.2          ADDENDA may also be issued to modify the Bidding Documents as deemed advisable by OWNER or ENGINEER.
 
6. CONTRACT Time:
 
6.1          The numbers of days within which, or dates by which, the WORK is to be substantially completed and ready for final payment (the CONTRACT Time) is three hundred thirty (330) working days.
 
7. Liquidated Damages:
 
7.1          Provisions for liquidated damages, if any, are set forth in the BID and under Section 10.5 of the General Provisions.
 
8. Substitute or “Or Equal” Items:
 
8.1          The CONTRACT, if awarded, will be on the basis of materials and equipment described in the Drawings or specified in the SPECIFCATIONS without consideration of possible substitute or “or equal” items.  Whenever it is indicated in the Drawings or specified in the SPECIFICATIONS that a substitute or “or equal” item of material or equipment may be furnished or used by CONTRACTOR, if acceptable to ENGINEER, application for such acceptance will not be considered by ENGINEER until after the Effective Date of the CONTRACT.  The procedure for submission of any such application by CONTRACTOR and consideration by ENGINEER is set forth in Paragraph 7.9 pf the General Provisions and as may be amended in the SPECIAL PROVISIONS.
 
9. Subcontractors, Suppliers, and Others:
 
9.1          No CONTRACTOR shall be required to employ any SUBCONTRACTOR, Supplier, other person or organization against whom CONTRACTOR has reasonable objection.
 
10. BID FORM:
 
10.1        The BID FORM is included with the Bidding Documents.
 
10.2        Bids by corporations must be executed in the corporate name by the president or vice-president (or other corporate officer accompanied by evidence of authority to sign) and the corporate seal must be affixed and attested by the secretary or an assistant secretary.  The corporate address and state or incorporation must be shown above the signature.
 
10.3        Bids by partnerships must be executed in the partnership name and signed by a partner, whose title must appear under the signature and the official address of the partnership must be shown below the signature.
 
10.4        All names must be typed or printed below the signature.
 
10.5        All ADDENDA shall be acknowledged on the Louisiana Uniform Public Work Bid Form.
 
11. Bids to Remain Subject to Acceptance:
 
11.1        All bids will remain subject to acceptance for forty-five days after the day of the BID opening, but OWNER may, at its sole discretion, release any BID and return the BID security prior to that date.
 
12. Retainage:
 
12.1        Retainage in the value as stipulated per LA Revised Statues 38:2248 of the work completed and materials stored on-site shall be deducted from the CONTRACTOR’S Partial Payments.
 
13. Performance and Payment Bonds:  For public contracts of $30,000.00 or less the CONTRACTOR may provide an irrevocable Letter of Credit from a commercial bank having offices in the City of Alexandria in an amount not less than the amount of the contract for the faithful performance of his duties in lieu of providing a Performance and Payment Bond.  An irrevocable letter of credit will be accepted by a CONTRACTOR who meets the following criteria:
 
Meets the definition or requirements of a “responsible Bidder” as set forth in L.S.A.R.S. 38:2216(C-2); and 
Has been operating as the same business for a continuous period of at least three (3) years. 
14. Project Classification:  This PROJECT is classified as a Highway Street and Bridge Construction.