RCW 47.28.100 Failure or rejection of bidder.

If the successful bidder fails to enter into the contract and furnish satisfactory bond as provided by law within twenty days from the award, exclusive of the day of the award, his or her deposit shall be forfeited to the state and deposited by the state treasurer to the credit of the motor vehicle fund, and the department may award the contract to the second lowest responsible bidder. If the second lowest responsible bidder fails to enter into the contract and furnish bond within twenty days after award to him or her, forfeiture of his or her deposit shall also be made, and the contract may be awarded to the third lowest responsible bidder, and in like manner until the contract and bond are executed by a responsible bidder to whom award is made, or further bid proposals are rejected, or the number of bid proposals are exhausted. If the contract is not executed or no contractor's bond provided within the time required, and there appear circumstances that are deemed to warrant an extension of time, the department may extend the time for execution of the contract or furnishing bond for not to exceed twenty additional days. After awarding the contract the deposits of unsuccessful bidders shall be returned, but the department may retain the deposit of the next lowest responsible bidder or bidders as it desires until such time as the contract is entered into and satisfactory bond is provided by the bidder to whom the award is ultimately made. A low bidder who claims error and fails to enter into a contract is prohibited from bidding on the same project if a second or subsequent call for bids is made for the project.

If in the opinion of the department the acceptance of the bid of the lowest responsible bidder or bidders, or on prior failure of the lowest responsible bidder or bidders the acceptance of the bid of the remaining lowest responsible bidder or bidders, will not be for the best interest of the state, it may reject all bids or all remaining bids and republish a call for bids in the same manner as for an original publication thereof.

[ 1996 c 18 § 8; 1984 c 7 § 171; 1961 c 13 § 47.28.100. Prior: 1953 c 53 § 1; 1937 c 53 § 38; RRS § 6400-38.]