General Instructions and Conditions for Bidders on Material, Equipment and Services Preparation and Submission of Bid

Form Used
The City of Oakland Budget and Finance Agency, Purchasing Division bid forms are to be used to bid on the City's requirement for materials, equipment and services. The forms must be used to present your bid. If additional copies are required, contact the Purchasing Division.

Entries on Bid Form
All prices and information required on the bid form must be typewritten or written in ink. Make no erasures or interlineations on the bid as this may invalidate the bid. If mistakes are made, obtain additional copies of the bid form from the Purchasing Division. Any writing on the bid other than that specifically required may invalidate the bid. If you want to include additional information, you may do so with attachments; however, alternate proposals will not be considered for the current award. If there are any questions regarding the bid form or specifications, contact the Purchasing Division.

Completing Cover Sheet

1. The bid form must be signed by an authorized person. If the bidder is:

a. A corporation, sign for example: "Blank Company, by John Doe, Vice - President (or other title)."
b. A co-partnership, sign for example: "John Doe and Richard Roe, co-partners doing business as Blank Company by John, Co-partner."
c. An individual doing business using a firm name, sign for example: "John Doe."
d. An individual doing business using a firm name, sign for example: "John Doe, an individual doing business as Blank Company".

2. If you are a corporation, affix corporate seal.

Bid Bond
If a bid bond is required, it will be so stated on the cover sheet. When a bid is required, it shall be; a bid bond furnished by a corporate surety authorized to do business in the State of California, or cash, or check certified by a responsible bank, or a cashier's check payable to the order of the City of Oakland for an amount that, unless otherwise stated, shall be not less than 10% of the aggregate of the bid. The bid bond must be submitted with the bid.

All bid securities will be returned to the successful bidders after award of the contract to the successful bidder. The bid security of the successful bidder will be returned after execution of the contract.

Failure or refusal of the bidder to enter into the contract within twenty (20) calender days after receipt of contract will result in damages to the City and bid bond will be forfeited to the City as liquidated damages. Such damages are and will continue to be impracticable and extremely difficult to determine.

Faithful Performance Bond
If a faithful performance bond is required, it will be so stated on the cover sheet. When required, the contractor shall execute and deliver to the Purchasing Division, a Performance Bond in the amount named on the cover sheet with a corporate surety authorized to do business in the State of California, or shall deposit with the City Clerk of the City of Oakland a check certified by a responsible bank for said amount, cash or cashier's check. The faithful performance bond is subject to the City Attorney's approval.

Substitute Securities
The contractor may substitute securities for any monies withheld by the City to ensure performance under the contract. At the request and expense of the contractor, securities equivalent to the amount withheld may be deposited with the City or with the State or Federally charged bank as the escrow agent who shall pay such monies to the contractor upon satisfactory completion of the contract. Securities eligible for investments under this section shall include those listed in Section 16430 of the Government Code, or bank or savings and loan certificates of deposit. The contractor shall be the beneficial owner of any securities substituted for monies withheld and shall receive any interest thereon.