Alternatively, bids may also be emailed in PDF form to the City Purchasing Division at contracts@newark.de.us by the deadline noted above and will be opened immediately after the closing date and time and will be publicly recorded in the Council Chamber shortly thereafter. Please note that only emails up to 25 MB in size can be accepted. All questions/requests for information regarding this contract (bid process, drawings, and technical specifications, etc.) must be submitted via email to contracts@newark.de.us by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, to allow staff sufficient time to develop answers to questions deemed appropriate. Please submit all questions/requests for information in bulk (e.g., in a Word document attachment to an email) to limit the total number of emails received. BID SECURITY Each bid must be accompanied by a certified check, or cashier's check, or bid bond in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the proposed bid price, payable to the City of Newark. Failure to provide the required bid security may be grounds for rejection of the bid. If the successful bidder fails or refuses to execute and deliver the contract within twenty (20) calendar days after receiving notice of the award of the contract, the successful bidder shall forfeit to the City for such failure or refusal the security deposited with the bid. Any certified check or cashier's check submitted as security shall be returned to all unsuccessful bidders thirty (30) calendar days after the bid opening date. CONTRACT SURETY BOND The successful bidder shall provide the City with a Performance Bond and Payment Bond in the full amount of the contract guaranteeing faithful performance of the contract. Such bonds shall be provided to the City with the executed contract within twenty (20) calendar days after receiving notice of award of the contract. Upon receipt of the contract surety bond, the City will return any certified check or cashier's check submitted as bid security by the successful bidder. If a warranty is included as part of this contract's scope of work, once the project is substantially complete the surety bond shall be converted into a warranty bond for the term of the warranty. Once substantial completion of the project is reached and approved, City staff shall release any remaining retainage and issue a close out letter to the vendor stating the start date of the warranty period. A copy of the above noted warranty bond shall be provided to the City Purchasing Division no later than thirty (30) days from the receipt of the City's close out letter. SCOPE OF WORK The WATER MAIN RESTORATION 2023 project consists of the installation of new ductile iron water main and appurtenances to replace existing water main of various size and material, located within the corporate limits of the City of Newark, and unincorporated New Castle County, Delaware. The project includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following major work items, which are described in greater detail in the attached Project Drawings: A. Installation of 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch cement lined Class 52 ductile iron pipe and necessary bends, valves, and fittings under unpaved areas, paved areas, and sidewalks. B. Removal and filling of existing gate valve boxes. C. Removal of fire hydrants and valve boxes and installation of new fire hydrants, leads, and isolation valves. D. Replacement of existing fire and domestic services as shown on the drawings and as indicated in the field by the City inspector. E. Plugging and/or capping of existing water main and/or gate valve as indicated on the drawings. F. Paving, concrete, driveway, curb ramp, concrete curb and sidewalk, and grass restoration. G. Hydrostatic testing and disinfection of all new piping. H. Maintenance of traffic in accordance with Delaware Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). I. Horizontal directional drill of Class 54 ductile iron water main. J. As noted above, the attached Project Drawings further define the scope of work. The Contractor shall furnish all required labor, materials, equipment, and appurtenances necessary for the completion of the work.