Bidding Opportunities FAQ

• The District normally advertises bids for 21 days prior to the bid opening date.
• Applicable statutes require that bids cannot be opened any sooner than the 14th day after the advertisement.
• Projects with Federal funding must be advertised a minimum of 30 days.
• As soon as a project is officially advertised, bid documents may be viewed on our Bidding Opportunities webpage.
• Bid documents may be requested via fax, phone or in person from our Procurement and Contract Services Department.
  • Fax: (509) 661-8113
  • Phone: (509) 661-4479
  • Procurement & Contract Services
    Chelan Co. PUD
    327B North Wenatchee Ave.
    Wenatchee, WA 98801

• The bid date is the date the sealed bids will be opened and the specified time and location bids will be publicly read aloud.
• The bid date will be called out in the advertisement and the bid specifications.
• The bid date may be modified by addendum.

• Be sure you have followed all the instructions in the bid specifications.
• Enclose the required bid submittals in an envelope and seal it.
  • The District prefers that on the outside of the envelope you state, the NAME of the PROJECT, NUMBER of the PROJECT, DATE and TIME of the BID (Bid Opening).
  • In the upper left hand corner (where you would normally see a return address) place the words: - Bid By: - Bidder’s name and address.
  • Enclose the sealed bid envelope in another properly addressed envelope for mailing or transport to Procurement and Contract Services Department.

Small Works:

• Yes. A complete bid may be submitted to the Procurement & Contract Services Department by fax, however, the bidder must also mail the original to Procurement & Contract Services with a postmark of no later than the scheduled bid opening date/time.

Bids:

• No. Fax bids are not allowed EXCEPT a bidder may elect to fax a complete bid to a third party and arrange, at bidder’s own cost and risk, for that third party to place the faxed bid into a sealed envelope (addressed to Procurement & Contract Services and including the bid number and bid name on the envelope) and arrange to have the sealed envelope delivered to 327B North Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, Washington 98801.
• Bidder must also mail the original to Procurement & Contract Services with a postmark of no later than the scheduled bid opening date/time.

Local companies that may be able to assist a bidder in faxing a bid:

The UPS Store
1250 N. Wenatchee Avenue, Suite H
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 663-4780
M-F 8:30am - 6:00 pm

InPrint Printing, Inc.
962 Valley Mall Parkway
East Wenatchee, WA 98802
(509) 884-1454
M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm

• Yes. In accordance with RCW 18.27.020 it is a misdemeanor crime to bid on a Public Works Project without a Contractor’s License.
• In order to obtain a Contractor’s License, you must have a Washington Business License (UBI).

• The Department of Labor and Industries Construction Compliance section is responsible for the administration of Washington State’s Contractor Registration Law, RCW 18.27.
• Contractors must show that they are insured and bonded as part of the registration requirements.
• Inspectors also check construction job sites to verify contractor registration. The section administers a toll-free hotline, 1-800-647-0982, by which consumers can call during business hours to verify that their prospective contractor is registered.
• Your nearest Labor & Industries Service Location can also assist you with your contractor registration questions.
• Additional information can be found on the following websites:
  • http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.27
  • https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/

• A UBI number is a nine-digit number that is assigned to your business when you apply for a business license through the Master License Service of the Department of Licensing or register with the Departments of Revenue, Labor and Industries, Employment Security, or the Secretary of State.
• In January 1987, several Washington State agencies that work with the business community joined together to launch the Unified Business Identifier (UBI) program.
• Prior to the UBI program, each state agency assigned its own business identification number to contractors. Now, all agencies participating in the UBI program can identify a business using the UBI number, so as a business you can use the same identifying number when dealing with different State agencies.
• A UBI number stays with your business as long as you operate your business under the same business structure. If you change the business structure of your business (for example, from a sole proprietorship to a corporation), you must apply for a new UBI number and complete a Master Application to register your locations under your new business structure.

• The Project Manager will be listed on the Advertisement for Bid.
• E-mail is the preferred method of contact for the Project Manager. His/her email address can be found under Current bids on the Bidding Opportunities webpage.
• Project Manager’s may also be contacted by telephone. His/her phone number can be found on the Advertisement for Bid.
• Questions and answers may be issued in subsequent Addenda to all prospective bidders.

• All projects, both Bids and Small Works, are offered only via the electronic download process.
• You will receive an e-mail with a link and password for downloading the documents.
• If you do not have the resources to print the documents at your place of business, we have partnered with the Wenatchee Plan and Copy Center and you may obtain copies of the documents there.
• Printed copies of the documents and contract drawings will be made available to all contractors who are awarded work with the PUD.

• Generally, addenda are issued to clarify or supplement information in the bid documents or answer questions as the result of a site visit.
• The intent of an addendum is to provide the same information, in a consistent format to all prospective bidders
• Addenda are sent to all prospective bidders who have requested bid documents.

• The Internet site provides 24/7 availability for bidders, suppliers, subcontractors and other interested parties to find out what bidding opportunities are scheduled, what is out for bid, and the status of opened bids. You may also request bid documents.
• If you are having problems with the Internet site, please contact the Procurement Administrative Assistant at (509) 661-4479, or toll free 800-663-8121, extension 4479.

In Washington, contractors must register with the Department of Labor and Industries, post a bond and carry general liability insurance coverage.

• A general contractor must maintain a $12,000 bond.
• A specialty contractor, such as a painter, must maintain a $6,000 bond.
• Dissatisfied consumers may pursue restitution by taking civil action against a contractor's bond in Superior Court.
• All registered contractors must carry general liability insurance coverage ($50,000 property damage and $200,000 public liability or $250,000 combined single limit).

Contractors must also possess:

• A current certificate of registration as a contractor in compliance with RCW 18.27, which must have been in effect at the time of submission of bid
• A current Washington Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number
• An employer identification number (EIN). (An EIN is optional for a sole proprietorship with no employees.)
• If applicable:
  • A Industrial Insurance (workers compensation) coverage for the Contractor’s employees working in Washington, as required in RCW 51.
  • A Washington Employment Security Department number, as required in RCW 50
  • A Washington Department of Revenue state excise tax registration number, as required in RCW 82