The last day to submit pre-bid questions shall be 5:00 PM on October 20, 2023. Each bid shall be accompanied by a bid security in the form of a Bid Bond, a cashier's check, or a certified check in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total bid, made payable to the Suffolk City School Board. This Bid Bond, cashier's check, or certified check pledges that the bidder will enter into a Contract with the Owner on the terms stated in the Bid and will furnish bonds covering faithful performance of the Contract and payment of all obligations arising there under. Should the bidder refuse to enter into such a Contract or fail to furnish such bonds, the amount of the bid security shall be forfeited to the Owner as liquidated damages, not as a penalty. The Owner reserves the right to waive any informality in any bid or in the bidding. The accepted bidder(s) shall assist and cooperate with the Owner in preparing a formal Contract Agreement and within five (5) days following its presentation shall sign and deliver four (4) complete sets of Contract Agreement documents to the Owner, including but not limited to: the Agreement, the Performance Bond, Payment Bond, Hold Harmless Agreement, and all necessary Certificates of Insurance. The successful bidder(s), upon failure or refusal to enter in the Contract and/or to furnish the required Performance Bond, Payment Bond, and other required documents within the time specified, shall pay to the Owner as liquidated damages, an amount equal to the bid guarantee deposited with the bid or a portion thereof equal to the difference between the bid security and the next highest acceptable bid.Bid Bond or Checks submitted by the successful bidder will be returned upon acceptance of the 100% performance bond and separate 100% payment bond. Checks from other bidders, not previously forfeited, will be returned as soon as it is determined that the bids represented by the checks will receive no further consideration by the Owner. Work at the site(s) shall commence within ten (10) working days following the execution of the contract or the Notice-To-Proceed. The Owner anticipates the Award of these contract(s) or the issuance of the Notice-Of-Award on or before November 9, 2023. The work shall be completed in a single phase of work for the project. All work shall be substantially complete and finally complete as follows: Substantial Completion June 15, 2024 100% Final Completion June 25, 2024