The Bid Bond, Standard Form 24 (EXHIBIT 18) must be completed and executed by both the bidder and the surety or sureties prior to the time of bid opening. Be sure that you include the proper amount under "Penal Sum of Bond", and that the Project Number is inserted in the block entitled "Invitation No." The Project Number can be found in block 1 of the Standard Form 21, Bid Form, (EXHIBIT 8). It also appears on the cover of the Specifications (EXHIBIT 7).

You have been introduced to the Bid Form, Standard Form 21, as EXHIBIT 8. When you receive this form, some information will have been inserted by the Government. Bidders will fill in

Block 5 - Name of Bidder; Block 6 - Date (of your bid) and amount of bid (in words and figures). The Bid Form may require a lump sum bid only, or a base bid, alternate prices and/or unit prices. It is important that you fill in all of the amounts required. Refer to the Basis of Bidding in the Special Conditions of the specifications for an explanation of this section. The number of days for acceptance of the bid is usually inserted by the Government. (See note on back of Standard Form 21 marked with double astericks "**" for bid acceptance period.) Be sure to acknowledge all amendments in the blanks under "Receipt of Amendments". Failure to do this may be cause for rejecting your bid. Fill in type of Bid Guarantee and amount. Type or

print your business name and address. If the business is a

partnership, insert the full names of all partners. Finally, the bid must be signed. Insert the title of the signing official.

EXHIBIT 19, Supplement to Bid Form, List of Subcontractors, follows the bid form. The Government will insert the categories of work for which subcontractors must be identified. You will insert

the name and address of the firm to which you will subcontract
each category of work listed. If you will perform any
category with your own forces, insert your name. If the
category is to be performed by more than one firm, list each
firm and the portion to be done by each, and sign and date
the form. Failure to properly execute this form is frequently
cause for rejection of a bid.

Refer again to EXHIBIT 13, Representations and Certifications, Standard Form 19B. This form requires careful review of each item. The bidder must fill all appropriate blocks right down through Item 7 and 8, "contractor has not refused to furnish its records," on the reverse side of the form. Supplement to Standard Form 19B, EXHIBIT 13a, is also important. Be certain that you thoroughly understand the reference to "affirmative action" under Item 5, Equal Opportunity. You may be required to execute Part III of the Affirmative Action requirements, better known

as Hometown Plans or Imposed Plans. If required, Part III must

be submitted with your bid.

Part III reads, in part,

"Bidders Certifications. A bidder will not be eligible for award of a contract under this invitation for bids unless such bidder has submitted as a part of its bid the following certification, which will be deemed a part of the resulting contract." Then it provides for the bidder's signature. It continues with Paragraph 1, 2, 3, and so on. These Hometown Plans differ, but in any event always look for Part III, execute it, fill in all the blanks as required and comply with any other requirements which the particular Hometown Plan might involve. Failure to execute Part III is cause for rejection of the bid.

SUBMITTAL OF THE BID PACKAGE

Mark and address the envelope as indicated in Blocks 7, 8, and 9, on the reverse of Standard Form 21; enclose the bid, bid guarantee, Standard Form 19B, Representations and Certifications, and all required attachments (i.e., subcontractor listing, affirmative action plan, etc.) and mail or deliver your bid in accordance with the instructions on Standard Form 21 and Standard Form 22.

BID OPENING AND AWARD OF CONTRACT

Bids submitted to the Government are securely guarded. Neither the identity of the bidders nor the number of bids received is

made public prior to bid opening, and within the Government this information is restricted to very few individuals.

However, the

public may be present at bid opening. Bids will be publicly opened and, whenever practical, read aloud. Late bids, however, will not be opened. Original bids will not normally be allowed to pass out of Government hands. If duplicate copies are not available, you may be allowed to examine the originals under the supervision of a Government official. Normally it is the Abstract of Bids that you will be permitted to examine. The abstract would contain the invitation number, bid opening date, general description of the procurement, names of the bidders, prices bid and any other information the Government feels is necessary for bid evaluation. A sample abstract (EXHIBIT 20) is included. A bid received after the time designated for bid opening will not be considered unless it is received prior to award and either:

(1) it was sent by registered or certified mail not later than the fifth calendar day prior to the date specified for the receipt of bids (for example, a bid required to be submitted in time for receipt by the 20th of the month must have been mailed by the 15th or earlier) or

(2) it was sent by mail (or telegram, if authorized) and the late receipt of the bid is determined by the Government to be due to mishandling by Government personnel after receipt at the Government installation.

If you use certified or registered mail, be sure to retain your
receipt from the Post Office. The date of mailing of a late bid
is the U.S. Postal Service postmark on the wrapper (or
envelope) or on the original receipt from the Postal Service.
(See EXHIBIT 10). A modification or withdrawal of a bid is
subject to the same conditions, except that any modification
mailed prior to bid opening and received prior to award, which
makes the terms of the bid more favorable to the Government,
will be considered anytime it is received. You may withdraw
your bid before bid opening, either in person or through your
properly identified representative, who has been
authorized to sign a receipt for the bid. To assure its timely
arrival you can hand-deliver your bid if this is practical.

You should take it to the office of the contracting officer. When
you turn it in be sure that the recipient initials it, stamps
it with the hour and date of delivery and gives you a receipt
for your bid.

As a bidder you should have an understanding of the grounds on which a bid may be accepted or rejected. Government contracts are awarded to the responsible bidder whose bid conforms with the Invitation for Bids and is most advantageous to the Government. However, all bids may be rejected if the Contracting Officer determines

that this is in the best interests of the Government. Turn to