Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 45 Part 1.djvu/178

 SEVENTIETH CONGRESS. SEss. I. Cri. 87. 1928. 127 damages, and shall be forfeited to the Lake Champlain Bridge Commission. The proposals, when opened, shall be subject at all reason able t imes t o publ ic ins pectio n, and at the time of ope ning shall be pub licly read, and co nspicu ously p osted in suc h a ma nner as to in dicate th e several items of the pro posal. The contract for the construction of such bridge shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, except that no contract shall be awarded at a greater sum than that required in the estimate made for such construc tion in a ccordance with th e plans a nd specif ications as approved. The lowest bid shall be deemed to be that which specifically states the lowest gross sum for which the entire work will be performed, including all the items specified in the estimate theref or. If no p roposa l othe rwise accept able i s made within the e stimat e accompanying the plans and specifications, the Lake Champlain Bridge Commission may cause the estimate to be amended. The Lake Champlain Bridge Commission may reject any or all propo sals, and ma y adve rtise for ne w propo sals a s abov e prov ided, if, in their opinion, the best interests of the States will thereby be promoted. The Lake Champlain Bridge Commission shall prescribe the form of contr acts and may i nclud e the rein such matt ers as th ey may deem adva ntage ous to th e Sta tes. The contractor, before entering into a contract for such construction, shall execute a bond in the form prescribed by the Lake Champlain Bridge Commission, with sufficient sureties, to be ap proved by the Lake C hamplai n Brid ge Comm ission, conditioned that he will perform the work in accordance with the terms of the contract and with the plans and specifications, and that he will commence and complete the work within the time prescribed in the contract. The bond shall also provide against any direct or indirect damages that shall be suffered or claimed on account of such construction during the time thereof and until such bridge is accepted. The contract may provide for partial payment to an amount not exceeding 90 per centum of the value of the work done. Ten per centum of the contract price, where a bond approved by the Lake Champlain Bridge Commission is given, shall be retained until the entire work has been completed and accepted. All conti ngenc ies a risi ng du ring the prose cutio n of the work shall be provided for to the satisfaction of the Lake Champlain Bridge Commission, and as may be agreed upon in the original or by a supplemental contract executed by the commission ; the amount to be expended shall not exceed the original estimate, unless such estimate shall have been duly amended by the com- mission. If a supplemental contract be executed by the Lake Champlain Bridge Commission for the performance of work or furnishing of material not provided for in the original contract, the amount to be charged thereunder for any such work or material shall not exceed the rate for which similar work or material was agreed to be performed or furnished under the original bid upon which the contract was awarded. ARTICLE XX The construction, maintenance, and operation of said bridge is in all respects for the benefit of the people of the two States, for the increase of their commerce and prosperity, and for the im- provement of their health and living conditions, and the Lake Agre eme nt-C ont d.

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