Each bidder shall bear and be responsible for all costs, fees and expenses associated with its preparation and submission of a bid in response to this IFB. In no event shall any bidder be reimbursed by the Owner for any such costs, fees or expenses. Bid prices shall be inclusive of all labor, supplies, materials, equipment, permits, and sales or use taxes required to complete the Work in its entirety in strict accordance with the Contract Documents. The procedure for withdrawal of bids and bid award public notification is set forth in the Instructions to Bidders Bids will be considered on a lump sum basis for the entire work described in the Contract Documents . The Owner will not discriminate against a bidder solicitation or awarding of contracts because of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other basis prohibited by state law relating to discrimination in employment. Minority contractors and small business enterprises are invited and encouraged to submit bids in response to this solicitation. Each bidder shall indicate on its Bid Form whether or not it is a Small Business Firm or a Minority Business Firm, as such terms are defined in the instructions to Bidders. All responsive and responsible bidders will receive equal consideration for award. The Contractor shall perform Substantial and Final Completion of Work on or before the respective Substantial and Final Completion dates established in Section 01010, Summary of Work. It is the intent of the Owner to assess liquidated damages in the amounts shown in Section 01010 in the event that these dates are not met. Unless canceled or rejected, a responsive bid from the lowest responsible bidder shall be accepted as submitted, except that if the bid from the lowest responsible bidder exceeds available funds, the School Board may negotiate with the apparent low bidder to obtain a contract price within available funds. The conditions and procedures for such negotiation are set forth in the current version of School Board Policy 8240, the text of which is available for review at www.fcps.edu, search for "Policies, Regulations and Notices", click this link, then select "Find a Policy". In summary, negotiation may be undertaken on behalf of the School Board where, and to the extent such, is deemed to be in the best interests of the School Board. Office of Design & Construction staff, along with the project's design professionals and the apparent low bidder, will develop appropriate scope modifications that do not impair the proposed function of the project. These modifications will be priced by the apparent low bidder and reviewed by the Office of Design and Construction and the project's design professionals, which may recommend an award on that basis if such is deemed to be in the best interests of the School Board and the price is within available funds.