HCWWTP Secondary Clarifiers

HORSE CREEK
SECONDARY CLARIFIERS
Aiken County Public Service Authority
Beech Island, South Carolina
PROJECT MANUAL
PROJECT NO. 2023-0481-07
MAY 2026
Ardurra Group, Inc.
55 Beattie Place, Suite 200
Greenville, South Carolina 29601
Telephone: (864) 226-6111

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ARDURRA
HORSE CREEK
SECONDARY CLARIFIERS
AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY
BEECH ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROJECT MANUAL
Section Description Page No.
BIDDING REQUIREMENTS, CONTRACT FORMS, AND CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACT
26-14-B Aiken County Mandatory Form, Dates & Procurement Information ........................ 1 - 7
26-14-B Aiken County Vendor Invitation ................................................................................ 1 - 2
26-14-B Bid Form ................................................................................................................... 1 - 1
Aiken County Agreement ......................................................................................... 1 - 8
American Iron and Steel Requirements ................................................................... 1 - 1
Build America, Buy America Act Requirements ....................................................... 1 - 1
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Aiken County
Procurement Office
26-14-B HCWWTP Secondary Clarifiers
Bid Number: 26-14-B
Bid Due Date/Time: June 4th at p.m.
Mail or Carry Bid To: Aiken County
Government
Procurement, Room
3201
1930 University Pkwy.
Aiken, SC 29801
Location of Bid Opening: 1930 University Pkwy.
Room 3203
Aiken, SC 29801
Assigned Buyer: Becky Dawes, Procurement Director
Bid Documents and All documents are available on the Aiken County website
Specification: at:
https://scbo.sc.gov/online-edition
Send all inquiries to: procurement@aikencountysc.gov Questions will be
received May 13th until 2:00 p.m. Answers will be
posted on our website May 20th , 2026, before 2:00 p.m.
Phone calls will not be
accepted.
Aiken County does not discriminate against any bidder or offeror because of race, creed,
sex, age, religion, handicap, or national origin.
All Vendors Must have active SAM.Gov Registrations Submitted with Bid
1930 University Parkway Room 3201 Aiken South Carolina 29801
803-642-1540 www.aikencountysc.gov
If you are unable to access our website, please notify webmanager@aikencountysc.gov

Bid Number 26-14-B
Bid Name: HCWWTP Secondary Clarifiers
This page must be returned with the bid or you will be deemed non-responsive and
your bid will not be accepted. An officer of the company that has the authority to
bind the company must sign the bid.
Company Name: _____________________________
DBA (if applicable): _____________________________
Mailing Adress:_____________________________________________________________________
City: State: Zip:
Telephone Number:
Contact Name: Title:
Email address: __________________________
If yes, the Aiken County Procurement Local Vendor
Yes
Preference Eligibility Form must be attached to each bid
Local Preference change
No
submitted.
Does not apply for this Bid it is grant funded.
I certify that this bid is made without prior understanding, agreement, or connection with any
corporation, firm, or person submitting a bid for the same materials, supplies, or equipment, and
is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud. I agree to abide by all conditions of this bid,
that I have read and understand all instructions and conditions in the proposal document, and
verify that I am authorized to sign this bid for the bidder.
I further state that the company affiliated with this bid currently complies with all applicable
federal and state laws and directives relative to non-discriminatory practices in employment, and
is not currently barred or suspended from bidding with any government organization.
I also certify that my company follows all requirements set forth in Chapter 14 of Title 8 of the
South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended and will at all times during the performance of
work provided by the County be in full compliance with the provisions of the Immigration Reform
and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) in the hiring of its employees. I further certify that my company is
in full compliance with the requirements of the Drug-free Workplace Act as set forth in Chapter
107 of Title 44 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, amended.
Signature of Officer:
Printed Name: Title:
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Aiken County, South Carolina is soliciting sealed bids for:
26-14-B HCWWTP Secondary Clarifiers, all bidders are responsible for becoming
familiar with the specifications and drawings.
Aiken County Procurement will not be held responsible for notifying vendors of any
addenda to a bid. These are posted to our website.
All bids must be submitted to Aiken County Procurement, 1930 University
Pkwy, Room 3201, Aiken, South Carolina 29801 in a sealed envelope identified
with the following:
Bid Number: 26-14-B
Bid Name: HCWWTP Secondary Clarifiers
Opening date June 4th @ 2:00 p.m.
Please Submit One Original and Two Copies
INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS
1. Submit bids in a sealed envelope with the bid number as well as the time and date for
opening prominently marked on the outside.
2. Bids must be submitted before the time, date and at the exact location specified to be
considered. No late bids, telegraphic, or telephonic bids will be accepted. Bids are not
received until delivered to the Procurement Department. Vendors must allow mailed bids
sufficient time to be processed through the County's internal mailroom system.
3. All bids shall be signed by an authorized officer or employee of the bidder.
4. The County prohibits any type of communications to or with any department, employee, or
County official other than Procurement prior to the time than an award decision has been
made public.
5. Only one copy of the bid is required, unless otherwise stated.
6. On the form provided in the bid, all information requested of the bidder must be entered in
the appropriate space on the original forms. Failure to do so may be grounds for
disqualification.
7. Any and all information or addenda to this bid will be posted on the Aiken County website.
Vendors are responsible for any information contained in the bid record on the website, and
should make note of any addenda in the bid response.
8. All information shall be entered in ink or typewritten. Mistakes may be crossed out and
corrected prior to submission, if initialed by the person signing the bid.
9. Corrections and/or modifications received after the closing time specified will not be accepted.
10. Time of delivery, defined as the number of calendar days between receipt of the order by
the bidder and the receipt of goods or services by Aiken County, may be considered as one
factor in determining the award.
11. Prices will be considered net if no discount is shown.
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GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. Aiken County reserves the right to award bids received on the basis of individual items, groups
of items, or the entire list of items; to reject any and all bids; and to waive any technicalities.
2. Unit prices will govern over extended prices. Prices must be quoted as requested. Prices
that are not in compliance with the request may be considered non-responsive.
3. In case of tie bids, price and quality being equal, preference shall be given to Aiken County
vendors. In case of tie bids where there is no local bidder, preference shall be given to South
Carolina vendors. In every case, Aiken County reserves the right to make awards deemed
to be in the best interest of the County.
4. The evaluation of the bids and the determination of the equality of the product offered
is the responsibility of Aiken County, and will be based on information furnished by the
bidder in the bid.
5. Unless otherwise indicated in the bid notice, prices must be firm, and remain in effect for
ninety (90) days. Ambiguous bids that are uncertain as to fees, delivery, or compliance with
specifications may be rejected or disregarded.
6. Brand names and numbers, when used, are for reference only to indicate character or
quality desired and do not indicate a preference unless otherwise stated.
7. For equal items to be considered, the bid shall state the brand name or quality and provide
specifications. Aiken County's determination of what shall constitute equality shall be final
and conclusive.
8. When brand name, number, or level of quality is not stated by the bidder, it is understood
that the offer is exactly as specified.
9. Sales, use, or excise taxes must not be included as any part of the bid price unless otherwise
stated in the specifications. These taxes, as well as any handling and shipping charges,
must be shown as separate items. Shipping charges will be considered as a factor in
determining awards. Prices must be FOB destination, freight prepaid, unless specified.
10. Samples of any articles deemed necessary shall be furnished free of any cost to Aiken
County. These samples may be retained for future comparisons. Any samples not destroyed
by testing or not retained for comparisons will be returned to the bidder at the bidder's
expense upon request.
11. Vendors awarded items as a result of this solicitation must supply MSDS Materials as
required by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.
12. Aiken County does not assume responsibility for any costs incurred during the preparation of this
bid.
13. The successful bidder shall indemnify and hold harmless Aiken County, its officers, agents,
and employees, from all suits or claims of any character brought by reason of infringing on
any patent, trade mark, or copyright.
14. In case of default by contractor, Aiken County reserves the right to purchase any or all items
in default in open market, charging the contractor with any excess costs. Periods of
performance may be extended if the facts as to the cause of delay are justified in the opinion
of the proper Aiken County officials.
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. ORDER OF PRECEDENCE: In the event of inconsistency between the provisions of this
solicitation, the inconsistency shall be resolved by giving precedence in the following order:
(A) Aiken County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article VIII, (B) The bidding schedule, (C)
General Provisions, (D) Instructions to Bidders, and General conditions, (E) Other provisions
of the contract whether incorporated by reference or otherwise, and (F) the Specifications.
2. S.C. LAW CLAUSE: Upon award of a contract or Purchase Order under this bid, the person,
partnership, association, or corporation to whom the award is made must comply with the
laws of South Carolina that require such person or entity to be authorized and/or licensed
to do business in this state. Notwithstanding the fact that applicable statutes may exempt
or exclude the successful bidder from requirements that it be authorized and/or licensed to
do business in this state, by submission of this signed bid, the bidder agrees to subject itself
to the jurisdiction and process of the courts of the State of South Carolina, to all matters
and disputes arising or to arise under the contract and performance thereof, including any
questions as to the liability for taxes, licenses, or fees levied by the State.
3. EXCUSABLE DELAY: The contractor shall not be liable for any excess costs if the failure to
perform the contract arises out of causes beyond the control and without the fault or
negligence of the contractor. Such causes may include, but are not restricted to acts of God
or of the public enemy, acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity,
fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, freight embargoes, and unusually
severe weather; but in every case the failure to perform must be beyond the control and
without the fault or negligence of the contractor. If the failure to perform is caused by the
fault of a subcontractor, and if such default arises out of control of causes beyond the control
of both the contractor and subcontractor, and without the fault or negligence of either of
them, the contractor shall not be liable for any excess costs for failure to perform, unless
the supplies or services to be furnished by the subcontractor were obtainable from other
sources in sufficient time to permit the contractor to meet the required delivery schedule.
4. AWARD CRITERIA: Award will be made to the lowest responsible bidder who submits a
responsive bid that Aiken County considers to be most advantageous to its own interests.
5. SPECIFICATIONS: Any deviation from specifications in the bid solicitation must be clearly
pointed out; otherwise, it will be considered that the items offered are in strict compliance
with these specifications, and the successful bidder will be held responsible therefore.
Unless otherwise stated, it is understood and agreed that any item offered or shipped on
this bid shall be new and suitable for storage or shipment, and that prices include standard
commercial packaging.
6. The bidder must assume that any purchase, responsibility, insurance, and action or activity
which is necessary for the satisfactory operation of the services requested in the invitation
to bid, but which is not specifically designated as an Aiken County responsibility, is a
responsibility of the Contractor's operation, and the bidder shall include these in the
response to this invitation to bid accordingly.
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ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO POTENTIAL VENDORS
1. Understands the bonding process, has present and future (i.e., at the time of the bid and
all relevant points thereafter) bonding capability, and can seamlessly obtain and present
to the County the required bonding and security documents, fully and properly executed;
2. Understands the insurance and workers' compensation processes, as applicable, and has
the present and future (i.e., at the time of the bid and all relevant points thereafter) ability
to obtain all required insurance coverage, and can seamlessly obtain and present to the
County the required insurance,
workers' comp and other documents, fully and properly executed, with coverage in full
force and effect at all times during the contract term and within a reasonable period after
bid award;
3. Understands the subcontractor process, and has actual, as opposed to theoretical,
contractual relationships with all subcontractors who will be used at project
commencement, and has actual contractual relationships with those subcontractors
who will be used after project commencement in a reasonable period in advance of their
employment so as to not delay the project;
4. Does not propose or attempt to negotiate with the County additional agreements that
are not called for under the Bid Documents, including, but not limited to, contracts with
third-party bill payers in which the County is requested to be a party;
5. Has the ability to pay and will pay all subcontractors as their bills become due, with or
without the need for the chosen bidder to use a third-party to pay its financial obligations;
6. Understands the difference between a "corporate seal" and a "notary public seal"; and
7. Is generally "ready on Day One" to commence the project upon bid award and the
issuance of a Notice to Proceed. In other words, unless specifically noted, this Bid does
not entail nor does it contemplate a "training program," or "ramp up" time, or anything
other than the timelines, milestones and project completion timelines listed in the Bid
Documents."
BID PROCEDURES MUST COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE AIKEN COUNTY PROCUREMENT
ORDINANCE
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