(A) All bids received by the municipality from the applicants for an initial franchise will become the sole property of the municipality.
(B) The municipality reserves the right to reject any and all bids and waive informalities and/or technicalities where the best interest of the municipality may be served.
(C) All questions regarding the meaning or intent of this chapter or application documents shall be submitted to the municipality in writing. Replies will be issued by addenda mailed or delivered to all parties recorded by the municipality as having received the application documents. The municipality reserves the right to make extensions of time for receiving bids as it deems necessary. Questions received less than 14 days prior to the date for the opening of bids will not be answered. Only replies to questions by written addenda will be binding. All bids must contain an acknowledgment of receipt of all addenda.
(D) Bids must be sealed, and submitted at the time and place indicated in the application documents for the public opening. Bids may be modified at any time prior to the opening of the bids, provided that any modifications must be duly executed in the manner that the applicant's bid must be executed. No bid shall be opened or inspected before the public opening.
(E) Before submitting a bid, each applicant shall be expected to do the following:
(1) Examine this chapter and the application documents thoroughly;
(2) Familiarize itself with local conditions that may in any manner affect performance under the franchise;
(3) Familiarize itself with federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations affecting performance under the franchise; and
(4) Carefully correlate the bid with the requirements of this chapter and the application documents.
(F) The municipality may make such investigations as it deems necessary to determine the ability of an applicant to perform under the franchise, and the applicant shall furnish to the municipality all such information and data for this purpose as the municipality may request. The municipality reserves the right to reject any bid if the evidence submitted by, or investigation of, such applicant fails to satisfy the municipality that such applicant is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the franchise and to complete the work contemplated therein. Conditional bids will not be accepted.
(G) All bids received shall be placed in a secure depository approved by the municipality and shall not be opened nor inspected prior to the public opening.
(Ord. 2000-10, passed 4-10-00)