Article 44. County Harbor Commissions of California Public Contract Code >> Division 2. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 44.

The provisions of this article shall apply to contracts by county harbor commissions as provided for in Division 7 (commencing with Section 4000) of the Harbors and Navigation Code.

The commission may do all the work of improvement, development, or protection under one contract, or it may segregate it into separate parts or divisions, and let contracts for any one or more separate parts or divisions.

Each contract for doing any part of the work shall be let after advertisement for bids by publishing notice for at least 10 days in one or more daily newspapers published in the county. If there is no daily paper published in the county, notice shall be given by three publications in a weekly paper published therein.

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 commission.
  (c) A certified check made payable to the commission.
  (d) A bidder's bond executed by an admitted surety insurer, made payable to the commission. 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 commission beyond 60 days from the time the award is made.

Each contract shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, who shall give such security as the commission requires for the full and faithful performance of the contract. The amount and kind of security required shall be stated in the advertisement for bids. The board may authorize the commission to make contracts without advertising for bids for any part of the work, the cost of which does not exceed five hundred dollars ($500). The commission may reject any and all bids, and readvertise for bids for doing the whole or any part of the work, or the commission may, with the approval of the board, purchase material, hire or purchase machinery, apparatus or appliances and employ labor and do the work or any part thereof without readvertising for bids.

All improvement, development or protection of any harbor done under this article shall be of a substantial and permanent character.