Article 36. Water Storage Districts of California Public Contract Code >> Division 2. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 36.

The provisions of this article shall apply to contracts by water storage districts, as provided for in the California Water Storage District Law, Division 14 (commencing with Section 39000) of the Water Code.

Before making any contract for the construction or improvement of works in carrying out any project totaling twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more, the board shall advertise for bids.

When work is to be done, the board shall give notice calling for bids by publication in the county in which the principal office of a district is kept once a week for four consecutive weeks.

If less than the whole work provided for in the plans and specifications is to be done, the portion to be done must be particularly described in the notice.

The notice shall set forth that:
  (a) Plans and specifications of the work to be done can be seen at the office of the board.
  (b) The board will receive sealed bids.
  (c) The contract will be let to the lowest responsible bidder.
  (d) The bids will be opened in public at a given time and place.

All bids for construction work shall be presented under sealed cover and shall be accompanied by one of the following forms of bidder's security:
  (a) Cash.
  (b) A cashier's check made payable to the district.
  (c) A certified check made payable to the district.
  (d) A bidder's bond executed by an admitted surety insurer, made payable to the district. Upon an award to the lowest bidder, the security of an unsuccessful bidder shall be returned in a reasonable period of time, but in no event shall that security be held by the district beyond 60 days from the time the award is made.

The board may either:
  (a) Let the work to the lowest responsible bidder.
  (b) Reject any or all bids and readvertise for proposals.
  (c) Proceed to construct the work under its own superintendence.

In case of an emergency, if notice for bids to let contracts will not be given, the board shall comply with Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 22050).

Contracts for the purchase of materials only shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, except that the board may reject any or all bids for the furnishing of materials only and thereafter either readvertise for bids or solicit offers from not less than three responsible persons to furnish materials.

Upon receipt of an offer for a less price than that specified in the lowest rejected bid, the board may enter into a contract for the furnishing of the materials with the person who has offered them at the lowest price.

Any person to whom a contract is awarded shall enter into a bond, to be approved by the board, payable to the district for its use, for 25 percent of the amount of the contract price, conditioned for the full and faithful performance of the contract. The work shall be done under the direction and to the satisfaction of, and be approved by, the board.

All contracts and other documents executed by the board shall be signed by the president and by the secretary.