Forsyth County will not entertain prime bids from firms who do not have a representative attend this meeting. A sign-in sheet will serve as the attendance record. The end of the question period is 12:00 Noon, October 31, 2023. All questions must be submitted in writing to russellf@cityofws.org. Any questions regarding scope of work will be answered by addendum. 1. INSPECTION OF SITE a. Each Bidder shall visit the site of the proposed Work and fully acquaint himself with the existing conditions relating to the construction Project. Each Bidder shall fully inform himself as to the facilities involved and the difficulties and restrictions attending the performance of the Contract. The Bidder shall examine and familiarize himself with the Technical Specifications and any Drawings. The Contractor, by execution of the Contract, shall in no way be relieved of any obligation under the Contract due to his failure to receive or examine any Form or legal instrument or to visit the site and acquaint himself with the existing conditions. The Owner will be justified in rejecting any claim based on facts that the Bidder should have been aware of as a result of his site inspection. 2. PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF BIDS a. All Bids must be submitted on the Forms supplied by Purchasing or the Owner's Consultant and shall be subject to all requirements of the Contract Documents including the Drawings and these Instructions to Bidders. All Bids must be regular in every respect; and no interlineations, excisions or special conditions shall be made or included in the Bid Form by the Bidder. b. Bid Documents, including the Bid and the Non-Collusion Affidavit, shall be sealed and clearly labeled with the Project name, Bidder's license number, date and time of opening. c. Forsyth County may consider as irregular any Bid on which there is an alternate of, or departure from, the Bid Form hereto attached and at its opening may reject the same. d. If the Contract is awarded, it will be awarded to the lowest responsible Bidder taking into consideration quality, performance and time specified in the Proposal for the performance of the Contract and will include selective Alternate Bid items, if any. 3. COLLUSIVE AGREEMENTS a. Each Bidder submitting a Bid to Forsyth County for any portion of work contemplated by the documents on which bidding is based shall execute and attach thereto an Affidavit substantially in the Form provided herein to the effect that he has not entered into a collusive agreement with any other person, firm or corporation in regard to any Bid submitted. 4. TIME FOR RECEIVING BIDS a. Bids received prior to the advertised hour of opening will be kept securely sealed. The County Representative whose duty it is to open them will decide when the specified time has arrived and no Bid thereafter will be considered. 5. OPENING OF BIDS a. At the time and place fixed for opening of Bids, the County Representative will cause to be opened and publicly read aloud every Bid received within the time set for receiving Bids irrespective of any irregularities therein. Bidders and other persons properly interested may be present, in person or by representative. 6. BID GUARANTY - NOT REQUIRED PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS (required) b. Having satisfied all conditions of the award set forth elsewhere in these documents, the successful bidder(s) shall furnish, within ten (10) days after award, the following: 1. A Performance Bond in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract amount, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the Contract in accordance with the plans, specifications and conditions of the Contract. Such bond shall be solely for the protection of the contracting body which awarded the Contract. 2. A payment bond in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the Construction Contract amount, conditioned upon the prompt payment for all labor or materials for which a Contractor or Subcontractor is liable. The payment bond shall be solely for the protection of the persons furnishing materials or performing labor for which a Contractor or Subcontractor is liable. c. Such bond shall be in the same form as that indicated in the contract documents and shall bear the same date subsequent to that of the agreement. The current Power of Attorney for the person who signs for any surety shall be attached to such bond. This bond shall be signed by a guarantee or surety company licensed to do business in the State of North Carolina and the agent MUST be a North Carolina resident. d. The failure of the successful bidder to supply the required bonds within ten (10) days after award, or within such extended period as the Owner may grant, shall constitute a default; and the Owner may either award the contract to the next lowest responsible bidder or re-advertise for bids. If the successful bidder fails to provide satisfactory surety, the Owner shall retain the bid guarantee as outlined in these instructions. BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED Any staff/employees that visit the site for work/pre-bid shall submit to a background check that will be provided at no charge by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. Background checks are not required for delivery drivers. Vendors MUST submit the Security Clearance application (page 7 & 8) NO LATER THAN 12:00 Noon, October 20, 2023, to shoremr@forsyth.cc. You will be notified confirming your clearance to attend the pre-bid once you are approved. Submitting clearance approval for two people is advised, as re-scheduling may not be possible. No weapons of any kind allowed.