he plan deposit amount as indicated above is in accordance with Alabama Act No. 97-225 relating to the competitive bid laws for public works. All Bidders must comply with the requirements of the State Licensing Board for General Contractors (Latest Edition) and with the Alabama Act No. 97-225 (Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975 as amended) relating to competitive bid laws for public works. All Bidders must be properly licensed in accordance with the requirements of the State Licensing Board for General Contractors (Chapter 8, Title 34, Code of Alabama, 1975 or latest). BIDDERS must include their license number on the outside of the sealed envelope containing the BID, as well as on the BID Proposal Form. Any BID received which does not contain the license number on the outside of the sealed envelope will not be considered by the OWNER and will be returned unopened to the BIDDER. Any BID submitted which contains the license number on the outside of the sealed envelope will be taken as prima facia evidence that the BIDDER is in fact a duly licensed General CONTRACTOR, with a valid unexpired license, in the classification required for this PROJECT, and in good standing with the Alabama State Licensing Board for General Contractors. If it is subsequently discovered, after the BID OPENING, that the BIDDER has misrepresented this fact to the OWNER, then the BID will be disqualified and the State Licensing Board so notified. All BIDS must be made on the required BID form. All blank spaces for BID prices must be filled in, in ink or typewritten, and the BID form must be fully completed and executed when submitted. Only one copy of the BID form is required. It is recommended to not remove the BID DOCUMENTS from this bound volume of Contract Documents and Specifications for submission as a BID. However, the only required submission for a BID is Part II of the Contract Documents in its entirety. The BIDDER is further advised to ensure that all required forms and certificates have been completed and executed as required by the BID DOCUMENTS. Deviation by the BIDDER from this procedure as outlined herein may be considered by the OWNER as nonresponsive (see SPECIAL CONDITIONS). The OWNER may waive any informalities or minor defects or reject any and all BIDS. Any BID may be withdrawn prior to the above scheduled time for the opening of BIDS or authorized postponement thereof. Any BID received after the time and date specified shall not be considered. No BIDDER may withdraw a BID within 60 days after the actual date of the opening thereof. Should there be reasons why the CONTRACT cannot be awarded within the specified period, the time may be extended by mutual agreement between the OWNER and the BIDDER. BIDDERS must satisfy themselves of the accuracy of the estimated quantities in the BID Schedule by examination of the site and a review of the drawings and specifications including ADDENDA. After BIDS have been submitted, the BIDDER shall not assert that there was a misunderstanding concerning the quantities of WORK or of the nature of the WORK to be done. The OWNER shall provide to BIDDERS prior to BIDDING, all information which is pertinent to, and delineates and describes, the land owned and rights-of-way acquired or to be acquired. The CONTRACT DOCUMENTS contain the provisions required for the construction of the PROJECT. Information obtained from an officer, agent, or employee of the OWNER or any other persons shall not affect the risks or obligations assumed by the CONTRACTOR or relieve him from fulfilling any of the conditions of the contract. Each BID must be accompanied by a BID BOND payable to the OWNER for five percent of the total amount of the BID. As soon as the BID PRICES have been compared, the OWNER will return the BONDS of all except the three lowest responsible BIDDERS. When the Agreement is executed the BONDS of the two remaining unsuccessful BIDDERS will be returned. The BID BOND of the successful BIDDER will be retained until the payment BOND and performance BOND have been executed and approved, after which it will be returned. A certified check may be used in lieu of a BID BOND. A performance BOND and a payment BOND, each in the amount of 100 percent of the CONTRACT PRICE, with a corporate surety approved by the OWNER, will be required for the faithful performance of the CONTRACT. Attorneys-in-fact who sign BID BONDS or payment BONDS and performance BONDS must file with each BOND a certified and effective dated copy of their power of attorney. All non-bidders, subcontractors, vendors or dealers shall be refunded 50% of the plan deposit for each set returned to the Engineer, in reusable condition, within 10 days after the bid opening. The plan deposit amount as indicate.