A GUIDEBOOK TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS CONSTRUCTION GOVERNMENT LOCAL A GUIDEBOOK TO A Guidebook to Local Government Construction Projects Association County Commissioners of Georgia 50 Hurt Plaza • Suite 1000 Atlanta, GA 30303 Association County Commissioners of Georgia (404) 522-5022 www.accg.org 3rd Edition 2011 Sponsored by A Guidebook to Local Government Construction Projects 3rd Edition March 2011 Table of Contents Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................1 Part I. Useful Terms .....................................................................................................................................3 Part II. Public Works Construction Projects ...................................................................................7 Procuring Public Works Construction Contracts ..........................................................8 Decide Whether The Project Is Subject To The Requirements Of Local Government Public Works Construction Law ................................................................8 Contracts That Are Subject To State Law Requirements ...................................8 Projects and Contracts That Are Not Subject to State Law Requirements...8 Choose A Construction Delivery Method ................................................................... 10 Traditional Design-Bid-Build................................................................................... 10 Design-Build ............................................................................................................... 10 Fast Track .................................................................................................................... 11 Construction Management ..................................................................................... 11 Program Management/Project Management ...................................................... 11 Choosing A Construction Delivery System .................................................................. 11 Select A Competitive Process .......................................................................................... 12 Bid Method ................................................................................................................ 12 Proposal Method ...................................................................................................... 12 Matching the Competitive Award Process to the Construction Delivery Method........................................................................................................................ 13 Advertise The Project ........................................................................................................ 13 Make Project Documents Available ................................................................................ 15 Solicit Bids Proposals ......................................................................................................... 15 Bid Method ................................................................................................................ 15 Proposal Method ...................................................................................................... 15 Bid And Proposal Method ....................................................................................... 15 Pre-Qualify Bidders Or Offerors .................................................................................... 16 Hold A Pre-Bid Conference ............................................................................................. 17 Issue Any Necessary Addendum ..................................................................................... 17 Acceptance Of Bids Or Proposals .................................................................................. 18 All Bidders Must Submit a Contractor E-Verify Affidavit ................................ 18 Cannot Prevent Competition in Submission of Bids and Proposals ............. 18 Require Bid Bonds .............................................................................................................. 18 Open The Bids Or Proposals ........................................................................................... 19 Bid Method ................................................................................................................ 19 Proposal Method ...................................................................................................... 19 Evaluate Bids Or Proposals .............................................................................................. 19 Bid Method ................................................................................................................ 20 Proposal Method ...................................................................................................... 20 Be Aware Of Length Of Time That Bid Or Proposal Is Open .................................. 20 Bid Method ................................................................................................................ 20 Proposal Method ...................................................................................................... 20 What To Do When There Is A Bid Mistake ................................................................... 21 Negotiate .............................................................................................................................. 21 Bid Method ................................................................................................................ 21 Proposal Method ...................................................................................................... 22 Award The Contract .......................................................................................................... 22 Bid Method ................................................................................................................ 22 Proposal Method ...................................................................................................... 22 Emergency Contracts .............................................................................................. 22 E-Verify Affidavit Requirements Must Be Addressed in the Contract .................... 23 Require SAVE Affidavit ....................................................................................................... 23 Require A Performance Bond .......................................................................................... 23 Require A Payment Bond .................................................................................................. 24 File Contractor’s Oath ...................................................................................................... 25 Penalties For Failure To Comply The Local Government Public Works Construction Law ............................................................................................................... 25 Part III. Road Construction Projects ............................................................................................... 27 Authority To Contract ....................................................................................................... 28 County Contracts with Adjoining Counties ....................................................... 28 County or City Contracts with the State........................................................... 28 Contracts between Counties and Cities Located Within County ................ 28 Determine Whether The Project Is Exempt From Bidding Requirements ............ 28 Use The Bid Method .......................................................................................................... 29 Provide Potential Bidders Notice Of Their Sales And Use Tax Responsibilities ... 29 Advertise The Project ........................................................................................................ 29 Consider Recovering Cost Of Bid .................................................................................. 30 Require Proposal Guaranties ........................................................................................... 30 Be Aware Of Length Of Time That Bid Is Open .......................................................... 30 Be Aware Of Impact Of Open Records Law ................................................................ 30 Only Consider Bids From Contractors Who Have An E-Verify Affidavit .............. 30 Award The Contract .......................................................................................................... 31 Include E-Verify Affidavit Requirement For Contractors And Subcontractors In The Contract ..................................................................................... 31 Require SAVE Affidavit ....................................................................................................... 31 Require A Performance Bond .......................................................................................... 32 Require A Payment Bond .................................................................................................. 32 Require A Bridge Repair Bond ......................................................................................... 32 Consider Other Bonds ...................................................................................................... 32 File Contractor’s Oath .....................................................................................................