It is the intent of the Township of Toms River to enter into a contract with the lowest responsive and responsible bidder(s) in compliance with these specifications. ANTICIPATED DATE OF AWARD: November 13, 2024 Bidders are required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and P.L. 1975 C. 127 (N.J.A.C. 17:27-1 et seq.) regarding equal employment opportunities and with the requirements of P.L. 1977 C.33 regarding corporate and/or partnership ownership. The right to reject any and all bids is reserved in accordance with applicable law. The vendor shall guarantee any and/or all material and services supplied under these specifications. Defective or inferior items shall be replaced at the expense of the vendor. If the vendor who is awarded a contract shall fail to furnish and delivery the supplies or any item thereof, within the time specified and allowed, the Township may cancel those supplies which are not furnished and delivered and may also cancel the remainder of the order and may deduct and retain out of the monies due, or which may become due to such person or firm from the Township, such sum as shall be sufficient to pay the difference between the prices on which the award is made and the prices which the Township may or shall be obligated to pay to procure such supplies from other parties, and in addition, usual damages for breach of contract. The Township reserves the right to purchase the item(s) and/or service(s) bid herein from any of the below: New Jersey State Contracts County of Ocean Cooperative Contracts Stafford Township Cooperative Pricing System Toms River Regional Schools-Board of Education County of Somerset Cooperative Pricing System County of Bergen Cooperative Pricing System Educational Services Commission of New Jersey (ESCNJ) Cooperative County of Morris Cooperative Pricing System Any bidder requesting interpretation of the specifications should do so in writing to the Qualified Purchasing Agent via email at purchasing@tomsrivertownship.com or fax to 732-736-0314, dated at least five (5) days before the established date for bid opening. No oral interpretation shall be given to any prospective bidder. The Township reserves the right to reject any or all bids, in whole or in part, if not in compliance with the bid specifications. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-13.2, the Township may reject all bids for any of the following reasons: The lowest bid substantially exceeds the cost estimates for the goods or services The lowest bid substantially exceeds the contracting unit's appropriation for the goods or services The governing body of the contracting unit decides to abandon the project for the provision or performance of the goods or services The contracting unit wants to substantially revise the specifications for the goods or services The purposes or provisions or both of P.L. 1971, c.198 (C.40A:11-1 et seq) are being violated The governing body of the contracting unit decides to use the State authorized contract pursuant to section 12 of P.L. 1971, c.198 (C.40A:11-12) Multiple bids: More than one (1) bid submitted from an individual, a firm or partnership, a corporation or association or principals under the same or different names, shall not be considered. Unbalanced bids: Bids which are obviously unbalanced may be rejected at the option of the Township. The contract shall commence December 10, 2024 through December 9, 2026 for twenty-four (24) consecutive months.