city of natchitoches IFB-0334-CWEF23-24-Water-System-Rehab-On-Douglas-Drive9-10-26.pdf

INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS

BIDS will be received by the CITY OF NATCHITOCHES (herein called the

"OWNER"), at the City of Natchitoches Purchasing Department – 1400 Sabine Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457 until 2:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud.

The City of Natchitoches Fairness, Equality, and Inclusion Program desires to provide equal opportunities for small disadvantaged, women, and minority-owned businesses to compete for and perform services, regardless of race, color, sex, or national origin.

Each BID must be submitted in a sealed envelope, addressed to City of Natchitoches, 1400 Sabine Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457 in accordance with LA R.S.38:2212. Each sealed envelope containing a BID must be plainly marked on the outside as BID for the RFP No.

0334 – CWEF 23-24 WATER SYSTEM REHABILITATION ON DOUGLAS DRIVE and the envelope should bear on the outside the name of the BIDDER, his address, his license number if applicable, and the name of the project for which the BID is submitted. If forwarded by mail, the sealed envelope containing the BID must be enclosed in another envelope addressed to the

OWNER.

All BIDS must be made on the required BID form. All blank spaces for BID prices must be filled in, in ink or typewritten, and the BID form must be fully completed and executed when submitted. Only one copy of the BID form is required.

The OWNER may waive any informalities or minor defects or reject any and all BIDS.

Any BID may be withdrawn prior to the above scheduled time for the opening of BIDS or authorized postponement thereof. Any BID received after the time and date specified shall not be considered. No BIDDER may withdraw a BID within 45 days after the actual date of the opening thereof. Should there be reasons why the contract cannot be awarded within the specified period, the time may be extended by mutual agreement between the OWNER and the

BIDDER.

BIDDERS must satisfy themselves of the accuracy of the estimated quantities in the BID schedule by examination of the site and a review of the drawings and specifications, including

ADDENDA. After BIDS have been submitted, the BIDDER shall not assert that there was a misunderstanding concerning the quantities of WORK or of the nature of the WORK to be done.

The CONTRACTOR (and his Subcontractors) is (are) skilled and experienced in the use and interpretation of plans and specifications such as those included in the bid documents for this contract. He has (They have) carefully reviewed the plans and specifications and has (have) found them free of ambiguities and sufficient for bid purposes. Further, he has (they have) based his (their) bid solely on those documents, not relying in any way on any explanation or interpretation, oral or written, from any other source. The CONTRACTOR states that he has personally examined the site, the plans and the specifications, and has required any

Subcontractors to do likewise.

The CONTRACT DOCUMENTS contain the provisions required for the construction of the PROJECT. Information obtained from an officer, agent, or employee of the OWNER or any other person shall not affect the risks or obligations assumed by the CONTRACTOR or relieve him from fulfilling any of the conditions of the contract.

A Performance BOND and a Payment BOND each in the amount of 100 percent of the

CONTRACT PRICE, with a corporate surety approved by the OWNER, will be required for the faithful performance of the contract.

Attorneys-in-fact who sign payment BONDS and performance BONDS must file with each BOND a certified and effective dated copy of their power of attorney.

The party to whom the contract is awarded will be required to execute the Agreement and obtain the Performance BOND and Payment BOND within ten (10) calendar days from the date when NOTICE OF AWARD is delivered to the BIDDER. The NOTICE OF AWARD shall be accompanied by the necessary Agreement and BOND forms.

The OWNER within ten (10) days of receipt of acceptable performance BOND, payment

BOND and Agreement signed by the party to whom the Agreement was awarded shall sign the

Agreement and return to such party an executed duplicate of the Agreement. Should the

OWNER not execute the Agreement within such period, the BIDDER may by WRITTEN

NOTICE withdraw his signed Agreement. Such Notice of withdrawal shall be effective upon receipt of the notice by the OWNER.

The NOTICE TO PROCEED shall be issued within ten (10) days of the execution of the

Agreement by the OWNER. Should there be reasons why the NOTICE TO PROCEED cannot be issued within such period, the time may be extended by mutual agreement between the

OWNER and CONTRACTOR. If the NOTICE TO PROCEED has not been issued within the ten (10) day period or within the period mutually agreed upon, the CONTRACTOR may terminate the Agreement without further liability on the part of either party.

The OWNER may make such investigations as he deems necessary to determine the ability of the BIDDER to perform the WORK, and the BIDDER shall furnish to the OWNER all such information and data for this purpose as the OWNER may request. The OWNER reserves the right to reject any BID, as permitted by law, subject to Louisiana Public Bid Law.

A conditional or qualified BID will not be accepted.

Award will be made to the lowest responsible BIDDER.

All applicable laws, ordinances, and the rules and regulations of all authorities having jurisdiction over construction of the PROJECT shall apply to the contract throughout.

Time of Completion and Liquidated Damages:

Bidder must agree to commence work on or before a date to be specified in a written

“Notice to Proceed” of the Owner and to fully complete the project within Ninety (90) consecutive calendar days thereafter. Bidder must agree to pay as liquidated damages the sum of

$ 500.00 for each consecutive calendar day thereafter as hereinafter provided in the General

Conditions.

Contractor’s State License Classification for the project is:

MUNICIPAL AND PUBLIC WORKS

Each BIDDER is responsible for inspecting the site and for reading and being thoroughly familiar with the CONTRACT DOCUMENTS. The failure or omission of any BIDDER to do any of the foregoing shall in no way relieve any BIDDER from any obligation in respect to his

BID.

The low BIDDER shall supply the names and addresses of major material SUPPLIERS and SUBCONTRACTORS when required to do so by the OWNER.

The ENGINEER is COTHREN, GRAFF, SMOAK ENGINEERING, INC. His address is 112 Horn Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457, or 6305 Westport Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana 71129.