Letting contracts; doing work with own force and equipment

Whenever any work is to be let by contract under the provisions of this Part the price of which is to exceed one thousand dollars, the board of commissioners shall proceed to provide through its engineering department proper specifications for the work and thereafter the board shall advertise for bids for the performance of the work according to the plans and specifications as prepared. Such advertisements shall appear not less than three times during a period of fifteen days in a newspaper published in the district and in any other paper or papers, that may be selected by the board. These advertisements shall state the place where the bids will be received, the time and place where they will be opened and a general outline of the work to be performed. Every bid shall be accompanied by a certified check of the bidder in an amount equal to five percent of the amount of the bid, which check shall be forfeited to the board should the bidder, to whom the contract is awarded, fail to enter into the contract within ten days after written notice so to do is given by the board. The checks of all unsuccessful bidders shall be returned after the contract is awarded. All bids submitted shall be sealed and addressed to the board of commissioners and shall be publicly opened and read at the time stated in the advertisements. The board may reject any and all bids, but whenever a contract is awarded, unless for cause, it shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. The board may also execute the work with its own force and equipment under its own supervision. Where contracts are let to others, however, the bidders shall be required to furnish bond of a surety company authorized to do business in Louisiana, or other good and solvent surety to the satisfaction of the board, in an amount equal to one-half of the amount of the contract, conditioned that the work shall be performed in accordance with the plans and specifications and the terms of the contract, and containing such other stipulations, provisions, and covenants as may be required by the board. The awarding of a contract to a successful bidder shall be binding upon both parties even though for some cause the actual contract cannot be signed.