Section 096-592-9 - Cost quotations, contract awards and state paymentsA.Bidding requirements. The applicant is required to solicit quotations from area contractors using contract documents approved by the department. Sealed competitive bids are required for all contracts. An advertisement for bids must be published in a local newspaper at least seven (7) days before bids are opened. The systems may be bid as follows: (1) Separate contracts must be bid for each individual system, and the basis of contract award is a lump sum price for each system; or A single contract must be bid for all individual systems. In this case, the basis of contract award is a total lump sum price for construction of all individual systems; or
(2) For municipal systems, the basis of the contract award must be stated in the contract documents.B.Contract documents. Contract documents, to include forms such as the following, and must be approved by the department. (1) Instructions to bidders;(4) Contract general conditions;(5) Construction specifications; andC.Award of construction contracts. The applicant shall award construction contracts to the lowest responsive bidder pursuant to section 9(A) of this chapter and provided that the contractor selected has demonstrated that he or she has the ability to perform the required work and that he or she will comply with all State laws and the requirements of the contract documents. The contract documents may require that bidders be licensed or certified to perform the work.D.State payments. Payments for eligible costs up to the limit of funding are remitted to the applicant as they are incurred. A payment request consists of a department approved payment request form detailing the eligible expenses with documentation attached. Copies of design invoices, construction contracts, inspection invoices, advertisement invoices, and change order statements are the usual documentation required for payment; however, the department may require additional documentation in particular cases if necessary to prove the appropriateness of payment.06- 096 C.M.R. ch. 592, § 9