A performance bond and a payment bond, each equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract price, shall be required on all contracts for construction of One Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) or more. All bonds provided for in this section shall be issued by a Surety company legally authorized to do business in the State; however, if approved by the County Attorney, the vendor may furnish a personal bond, property bond, certified check payable to the County, or irrevocable letter of credit in the total amount required for the performance and payment bonds. Approval shall be granted only upon a determination that the alternate form of security proffered affords protection to the County equivalent to a corporate Surety's bond. The official time used for the receipt of responses is determined by reference to the clock designated by the County Administrator. The County Administrator shall determine when the Bid receipt deadline has arrived and shall announce that the deadline has arrived and that no further Bids or Bid modifications will be accepted. A Bid in excess of One Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) will be rejected unless accompanied by a proposal guaranty (also known as a Bid bond) made payable to the County of Russell. The amount of the proposal guaranty shall be five percent (5%) of the total Bid. The proposal guaranty shall be accompanied by a certified copy of the power of attorney for the Surety's attorney-in-fact. When the principal is a Joint Venture, each member of the Joint Venture shall be named and shall execute the proposal guaranty. Each Surety to the proposal guaranty shall be named and shall execute the proposal guaranty and shall provide a certified copy of the power of attorney for the Surety's attorney-in-fact. Preparation of Bid Response forms shall be submitted if attached. Responses not submitted on the attached forms or not fully completed with all information may be declared nonresponsive. All documents shall be signed in ink. Any corrections to entries made on the forms shall be made in ink and initialed by the person signing the response. Bids containing any conditions, omissions, unexplained alterations or items not called for in the Invitation to Bid, or irregularities of any kind may be rejected by the County as being incomplete or nonresponsive. General questions, requests for explanations, or interpretations of documents shall be made as directed. No oral explanation in regarding the meaning of drawings and Specifications will be made, and no oral instructions will be given before the Award of the Contract. During preparation and prior to opening, vendors shall not divulge, discuss, or compare its response with others and shall not collude with any other party to a response. A signed response shall be taken as an indication that the vendor fully understands the Commonwealth of Virginia's Conflict of Interest Act and the Commonwealth of Virginia's Ethics in Public Procurement Act and that its actions in no way violate any of the provisions therein. Unless this solicitation contains a clear statement that only one certain brand, make, or manufacturer is acceptable and a clear reason is stated why such is so, the name of a certain brand, make, or manufacturer does not restrict vendors to that named. It only conveys the general style, type, character, and quality of that desired. During evaluation of responses, it shall be the sole discretion of the County to determine what is equal, considering quality, workmanship, economy of operation, and suitability for the purpose intended. Prices shall be all inclusive for the scope of the solicitation. Where applicable, the following shall apply. All shipments shall be free on- board destination, freight included. Delivery shall be made inside as directed at the address indicated. Required delivery times and terms of payment shall be stated clearly. Any previous submittals, offers, price given, either orally or written, cannot be accepted as a response to this formal solicitation. To insure fair and equal consideration of your response, if you wish to compete, please reply to this request. Direct contact with County staff, representatives, and/or agents other than County Administrator on the subject of this ITB or any subject related to this ITB is expressly prohibited except with the prior knowledge and permission of the County Administrator or designated representative. Buyer:Tracy Lester tracy.lester@bvu.net 276-889-8000