For qualifying contract work, the board must prepare specifications, advertise for bids, and award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder unless for cause.
§3227. Contracts; bids; bond Whenever any work is to be let by contract under the provisions of this Part the price of which is to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars on materials and five thousand dollars for materials and labor, the board of commissioners shall proceed to provide through its engineering department proper specifications for the work and thereafter the board shall advertise for bids for the performance of such work according to the plans and specifications as prepared. These advertisements shall appear not less than three times during a period of fifteen days in a newspaper published in the parish of Acadia, and in any other paper, or papers, that may be selected by the board. The advertisements shall state the place where the bids will be received, the time and place where they will be opened and a general outline of the work to be performed. Every bid shall be accompanied by a certified check of the bidder in an amount equal to five percent of the amount of the bid which check shall be forfeited to the board should the bidder, to whom such contract is awarded, fail to enter into the contract within ten days after written notice so to do is given by the board. The checks of all unsuccessful bidders shall be returned after the contract is awarded. All bids submitted shall be sealed and addressed to the board of commissioners and shall be publicly opened and read at the time stated in the advertisement. The board may reject any and all bids, but whenever a contract is awarded, unless for cause, it shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. The board may also execute the work with its own force and equipment under its own supervision. When contracts are let to others, however, the bidders shall be required to furnish bond of a surety company authorized to do business in Louisiana or other good and solvent surety to the satisfaction of the board in an amount equal to one-half of the amount of the contract, conditioned that the work shall be performed in accordance with the plans and specifications and the terms of the contract, and containing any other stipulations, provisions and covenants that may be required by the board. The awarding of a contract to a successful bidder shall be binding upon both parties even though for some cause the actual contract cannot be signed. Added by Acts 1976, No. 196, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 468, §1.