If the original awardee fails or refuses, for 17 days after the publication of the notice of award, to enter into the contract, when the same in due form has been presented to him for execution by said Director, then said Director, without further proceedings shall again advertise for and receive bids, as in the first instance, and award the contract for the work to the then lowest reliable and responsible bidder. Should no bids be received in response to such second call, said Director may again advertise for and receive bids under the same proceedings at any time within six months from the time set for the first reception of bids, and let the contract to the then lowest reliable and responsible bidder, and such delay shall in no way affect the validity of any of the proceedings or assessments levied thereunder. The bids of all persons and the election of all owners aforesaid, who have failed to enter into a contract as in this Article provided, shall be rejected in or upon any bidding subsequent to the first bidding for such work.