A Bid Guarantee of five percent (5%) of the amount of the total Bid, including Alternates, must accompany the Proposal and, at the option of the Bidder, may be a cashier's check, certified check or a satisfactory Bid Bond. The Bid Guarantee must be attached to the Louisiana Uniform Public Work Bid Form. No Bid will be considered unless it is so guaranteed. Cashier's check or certified check must be made payable to the order of the Owner. Cash deposits will not be accepted. The Owner reserves the right to cash or deposit the cashier's check or certified check. Such guarantees shall be made payable to the Parish of St. Tammany. In accordance with LSA-R.S. 38:2218(C), if a bid bond is used, it shall be written by a surety or insurance company currently on the U.S. Department of the Treasury Financial Management Service list of approved bonding companies which is published annually in the Federal Register, or by a Louisiana domiciled insurance company with at least an A- rating in the latest printing of the A.M. Best's Key Rating Guide to write individual bonds up to ten percent of policyholders' surplus as shown in the A.M. Best's Key Rating Guide or by an insurance company in good standing licensed to write bid bonds which is either domiciled in Louisiana or owned by Louisiana residents. It is not required to be on any AIA form. The successful Bidder shall be required to post in each direction a public information sign, 4' x 4' in size, at the location of the project containing information required by the Owner. The Owner shall supply this information. The award of the Contract, if it is awarded, will be to the lowest responsible Bidder, in accordance with State Law. No award will be made until the Owner has concluded such investigations as it deems necessary to establish the responsibility and qualifications of the Bidder to do the Work in accordance with the Contract Documents to the satisfaction of the Owner within the time prescribed as established by the Department based upon the amount of work to be performed and the conditions of same. The written contract and bond shall be issued in conformance with LSA-R.S. 38:2216. If the Contract is awarded, the Owner shall give the successful Bidder written notice of the award within forty-five (45) calendar days after the opening of the Bids in conformance with LSA-R.S. 38:2215(A), or any extension as authorized thereunder. In order to ensure the faithful performance of each and every condition, stipulation and requirement of the Contract and to indemnify and hold harmless the Owner from any and all damages, either directly or indirectly arising out of any failure to perform same, the successful Bidder to whom the Contract is awarded shall furnish a Performance and Payment Bond in an amount of at least equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. The Contract shall not be in force or binding upon the Owner until such satisfactory Bond has been provided to and approved by the Parish. The cost of the Bond shall be paid for by the Contractor unless otherwise stipulated in the Special Provisions. Bidders are urged to promptly review the requirements of this specification and submit questions for resolution as early as possible during the bid period. Questions or concerns must be submitted in writing to the Procurement Department no later than 2:00 CST seven (7) working days prior to the bid opening date. Otherwise, this will be construed as acceptance by the bidders that the intent of the specifications is clear and that competitive bids may be obtained as specified herein. Protests with regard to the specification documents will not be considered after bids are opened. The successful Bidder understands the limited contract time in the contract is 90 days, and shall submit any request for an extension of time in accordance with the General and Supplementary Conditions. Said request will reflect the days requested and the reason for same. No extension request is guaranteed or absolute. If any additional work is performed by the contractor without written approval by owner, the cost of the work will be borne by the contractor and will not be reimbursed by the Parish.