B-231671, Sep 23, 1988, 88-2 CPD 281
Highlights
By regulation bid guarantee is mandatory where those types of bonds are required. That the effect of this requirement is to foreclose to the protester the "right to bid and obtain a contract ... and function as a contractor. Was not the intent of the law authorizing bid bonds. The fact that the protester is unable to obtain a bid bond does not make that requirement improper if it is otherwise appropriate. The use of a bid guarantee is mandatory where. Performance and payment bonds are required. Is well in excess of $25. The protest is denied.
B-231671, Sep 23, 1988, 88-2 CPD 281
PROCUREMENT - Sealed Bidding - Bids - Bid guarantees - Justification DIGEST: Solicitation properly requires a bid guarantee where the minimum amount of work to be ordered under construction contract for repairs to and painting of government housing exceeds $25,000, since under the Miller Act, the awardee must furnish performance and payment bonds, and by regulation bid guarantee is mandatory where those types of bonds are required.
BPOA Industrial Painters:
BPOA Industrial Painters protests the requirement for a bid bond in invitation for bids (IFB) No. F04612-88-B-0013, issued by the Air Force as a construction-type solicitation for repairs to and painting of the exterior of military family housing at Mather Air Force Base, California.
We deny the protest.
The protester contends that a bond should not be required for the work called for by this solicitation, and that the effect of this requirement is to foreclose to the protester the "right to bid and obtain a contract ... and function as a contractor," which, in the protester's view, was not the intent of the law authorizing bid bonds.
The fact that the protester is unable to obtain a bid bond does not make that requirement improper if it is otherwise appropriate. In order to protect the United States and all persons supplying labor and materials under contracts for the construction, alteration or repair of any government building, the Miller Act (40 U.S.C. Secs. 270a-270f (1982 and Supp. IV 1986)) requires that the contract awardee furnish performance and payment bonds for all contracts which exceed $25,000 in amount. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Sec. 28.102-1 (FAC 84 26); see Sovereign Electric Co.-- Request for Reconsideration, B-214699.2, Feb. 12, 1985, 85-1 CPD Para. 183. The use of a bid guarantee is mandatory where, as here, performance and payment bonds are required. FAR Sec. 28.101-1 (FAC 84-12); Granville Construction Corp., B-230124, Feb. 9, 1988, 88-1 CPD Para. 130.
Since, according to the solicitation, the minimum amount of work to be ordered under the resulting contract, which includes repairs to government buildings, is well in excess of $25,000, the solicitation properly requires a bid bond.
The protest is denied.