District 1 Landscaping 5 Year

SAP
State of South Solicitation: 5400029971
Date Issued: 06/30/2026
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Phone: Brookskm@scdot.org
E-Mail Address: SCDOT Procurement Office
Invitation For Bid
Mailing Address: 955 Park Street, Room 101
Columbia SC 29202-0191
DESCRIPTION: District 1 Landscaping 5 Year
USING GOVERNMENTAL UNIT: SC Department of Transportation
SUBMIT YOUR OFFER ON-LINE AT THE FOLLOWING URL: http://www.procurement.sc.gov
SUBMIT OFFER BY (Opening Date/Time): 07/27/2027 14:30:00 (See "Deadline For Submission Of Offer" provision)
QUESTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY: 07/22/2026 12:00:00 (See "Questions From Offerors" provision)
NUMBER OF COPIES TO BE SUBMITTED: one online
CONFERENCE TYPE: Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid LOCATION: SCDOT District 1 Office
DATE & TIME: 07/21/2027 10:00:00 1400 Shop Road Columbia, SC 29201
(As appropriate, see "Conferences - Pre-Bid/Proposal" & "Site Visit" provisions)
AWARD & Award will be posted on 07/30/2026. The award, this solicitation, any amendments, and any
AMENDMENTS related notices will be posted at the following web address: http://www.procurement.sc.gov
You must submit a signed copy of this form with Your Offer. By signing, You agree to be bound by the terms of
the Solicitation. You agree to hold Your Offer open for a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days after the
Opening Date. (See "Signing Your Offer" provision.)
NAME OF OFFEROR Any award issued will be issued to, and the contract will be formed
with, the entity identified as the Offeror. The entity named as the
offeror must be a single and distinct legal entity. Do not use the
name of a branch office or a division of a larger entity if the branch
(full legal name of business submitting the offer) or division is not a separate legal entity, i.e., a separate corporation,
partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE DATE SIGNED
(Person must be authorized to submit binding offer to contract on behalf of
Offeror.)
TITLE STATE VENDOR NO.
(business title of person signing above) (Register to Obtain S.C. Vendor No. at www.procurement.sc.gov)
PRINTED NAME STATE OF INCORPORATION
(printed name of person signing above) (If you are a corporation, identify the state of incorporation.)
OFFEROR'S TYPE OF ENTITY: (Check one) (See "Signing Your Offer" provision.)
___ Sole Proprietorship ___ Partnership ___ Other_____________________________
___ Corporate entity (not tax-exempt) ___ Corporation (tax-exempt) ___ Government entity (federal, state, or local)
COVER PAGE - ON-LINE ONLY (MAR. 2015)
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SSAAPP
PAGE TWO
(Return Page Two with Your Offer)
HOME OFFICE ADDRESS (Address for offeror's home office NOTICE ADDRESS (Address to which all procurement and
/ principal place of business) contract related notices should be sent.) (See "Notice" clause)
_________________________________________________
Area Code - Number - Extension Facsimile
_________________________________________________
E-mail Address
PAYMENT ADDRESS (Address to which payments will be ORDER ADDRESS (Address to which purchase orders will be
sent.) (See "Payment" clause) sent) (See "Purchase Orders and "Contract Documents" clauses)
____Payment Address same as Home Office Address ____Order Address same as Home Office Address
____Payment Address same as Notice Address ____Order Address same as Notice Address
(check only one) (check only one)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS
Offerors acknowledges receipt of amendments by indicating amendment number and its date of issue. (See "Amendments to Solicitation"
Provision)
Amendment Amendment Amendment Amendment Amendment Amendment Amendment Amendment
No. Issue Date No. Issue Date No. Issue Date No. Issue Date
DISCOUNT FOR 10 Calendar Days (%) 20 Calendar Days (%) 30 Calendar Days (%) _____Calendar Days (%)
PROMPT
PAYMENT
(See "Discount for Prompt
Payment" clause)
PAGE TWO (SEP 2009) End of PAGE TWO
Page 2

UPDATED BID OPENING PROCEDURES
You are strongly encouraged to submit responses via SCEIS. You may still
submit via mail or drop off your paper bid at the front desk at 955 Park St,
Columbia, SC 29201.
You may attend the bid opening in person, however if you prefer to attend
virtually, please follow the instructions below a few minutes before or at 2:30
PM.
Dial: 1-833-523-3710
Access Code/Conference ID: 657738
INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFERORS SUBMITTING HARD COPY BIDS
Mailing Address: Physical Address:
SCDOT Procurement Office SCDOT Procurement Office
P.O. Box 191 - Room 101 955 Park Street - Room 101
Columbia, S.C. 29202-0191 Columbia, S.C. 29201-3976
1. Offerors shall submit their bid in a sealed package.
2. The solicitation number and opening date must appear on the package exterior.
3. Offerors shall submit one (1) copy.
PLEASE NOTE THAT IF TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE OBJECTED OR QUALIFIED OR OFFEROR
INCLUDES ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO BE CONSIDERED, THE OFFER WILL BE DEEMED
NON-RESPONSIVE AND WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
IF YOU QUALIFY YOUR OFFER WITH A STATEMENT LIKE: "THIS IS NOT AN OFFER", YOU WILL BE
DEEMED NON-RESPONSIVE AND ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
See online bidding instruction in section II B herein.
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Table of Contents
SAP
SECTION I - SCOPE OF SOLICITATION ....................................................................................................... 5
SECTION II.A - INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - A. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS ................................... 6
SECTION II.B - INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - B. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS .................................... 14
SECTION III - SCOPE OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................... 15
SECTION IV - INFORMATION FOR OFFERORS TO SUBMIT ..................................................................... 19
SECTION V - QUALIFICATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 20
SECTION VI - AWARD CRITERIA .................................................................................................................. 21
SECTION VII.A - TERMS AND CONDITIONS - A. GENERAL ...................................................................... 22
SECTION VII.B - TERMS AND CONDITIONS - B. SPECIAL ....................................................................... 26
SECTION VIII - BIDDING SCHEDULE/PRICE PROPSAL ............................................................................. 33
SECTION IX - ATTACHMENTS TO SOLICITATION ...................................................................................... 39
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SAP
I. SCOPE OF SOLICITATION
ACQUIRE SERVICES (MODIFIED)
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), District 1 Office, is soliciting for grounds
maintenance services at the District 1 Engineering Office located in Columbia, SC. The purpose of these
services is to provide specific tasks to sustain a healthy stand of grass, ensure healthy plant growth, keep all
areas clean of litter and debris, and provide an aesthetically pleasing landscape at these facilities. These
specifications should be used as a guideline of services and not as a replacement for generally accepted
landscape maintenance procedures.
MAXIMUM CONTRACT PERIOD - ESTIMATED (JAN 2006)
Start date: 08/03/2026 End date: 08/02/2031. Dates provided are estimates only. Any resulting contract will
begin on the date specified in the notice of award. See clause entitled "Term of Contract - Effective Date/Initial
Contract Period". [01-1040-1]
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SAP
II. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - A. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
DEFINITIONS, CAPITALIZATION, AND HEADINGS (MAY 2024)
CLAUSE HEADINGS USED IN THIS SOLICITATION ARE FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY AND SHALL NOT BE
USED TO CONSTRUE MEANING OR INTENT. EVEN IF NOT CAPITALIZED, THE FOLLOWING
DEFINITIONS ARE APPLICABLE TO ALL PARTS OF THE SOLICITATION, UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED
OTHERWISE.
AMENDMENT means a document issued to supplement the original solicitation document.
AUTHORITY means the State Fiscal Accountability Authority or its successor in interest.
BUSINESS means any corporation, partnership, individual, sole proprietorship, joint stock company, joint
venture, or any other legal entity. [11-35-310(3)]
CHANGE ORDER means any written alteration in specifications, delivery point, rate of delivery, period of
performance, price, quantity, or other provisions of any contract accomplished by mutual agreement of the
parties to the contract. [11-35-310(5)]
CONTRACT See clause entitled Contract Documents & Order of Precedence.
CONTRACT MODIFICATION means a written order signed by the procurement officer, directing the contractor
to make changes which the clause of the contract titled "Changes," if included herein, authorizes the
Procurement Officer to order without the consent of the contractor. [11-35-310(9)]
CONTRACTOR means the Offeror receiving an award as a result of this solicitation.
COVER PAGE means the top page of the original solicitation on which the solicitation is identified by number.
Offerors are cautioned that Amendments may modify information provided on the Cover Page.
OFFER means the bid or proposal submitted in response this solicitation. The terms Bid and Proposal are used
interchangeably with the term Offer.
OFFEROR means the single legal entity submitting the offer. The term Bidder is used interchangeably with the
term Offeror. See bidding provisions entitled Signing Your Offer and Bid/Proposal As Offer To Contract.
PAGE TWO means the second page of the original solicitation, which is labeled Page Two.
PROCUREMENT OFFICER means the person, or his successor, identified as such on either the Cover Page,
an amendment, or an award notice.
YOU and YOUR means Offeror.
SOLICITATION means this document, including all its parts, attachments, and any Amendments.
STATE means the Using Governmental Unit(s) identified on the Cover Page.
SUBCONTRACTOR means any person you contract with to perform or provide any part of the work.
US or WE means the using governmental unit.
USING GOVERNMENTAL UNIT means the unit(s) of government identified as such on the Cover Page. If the
Cover Page identifies the Using Governmental Unit as "Statewide Term Contract," the phrase "Using
Governmental Unit" means any South Carolina Public Procurement Unit [11-35-4610(5)] that has submitted a
Purchase Order to you pursuant to the contract resulting from this solicitation. Reference the clauses titled
"Purchase Orders" and "Statewide Term Contract."
WORK means all labor, materials, equipment, services, or property of any type, provided or to be provided by
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the Contractor to fulfill the Contractor's obligations under the Contract. [02-2A003-3]
AMENDMENTS TO SOLICITATION (JAN 2004)
(a) The Solicitation may be amended at any time prior to opening. All actual and prospective Offerors should
monitor the following web site for the issuance of Amendments: www.procurement.sc.gov (b) Offerors shall
acknowledge receipt of any amendment to this solicitation (1) by signing and returning the amendment, (2) by
identifying the amendment number and date in the space provided for this purpose on Page Two, (3) by letter, or
(4) by submitting a bid that indicates in some way that the bidder received the amendment. (c) If this solicitation
is amended, then all terms and conditions which are not modified remain unchanged. [02-2A005-1]
AUTHORIZED AGENT (FEB 2015)
All authority regarding this procurement is vested solely with the responsible Procurement Officer. Unless
specifically delegated in writing, the Procurement Officer is the only government official authorized to bind the
government with regard to this procurement or the resulting contract. [02-2A007-1]
AWARD NOTIFICATION (MAR 2024)
Notice regarding any award, cancellation of award, or extension of award will be posted at the location and on
the date specified on the Cover Page or, if applicable, the most recent notice of extension of award. Should the
contract resulting from this Solicitation have a total or potential value more than one hundred thousand dollars,
such notice will be sent electronically to all Offerors responding to the Solicitation. Unless a written notice of
intent to protest is timely filed pursuant to Section 11-35-4210(1)(b) or the award is otherwise suspended or
canceled, the award will be effective on the calendar day (including weekends and holidays) immediately
following the seventh business day after such notice is given. [02-2A010-3]
BID/PROPOSAL AS OFFER TO CONTRACT (JAN 2004)
By submitting Your Bid or Proposal, You are offering to enter into a contract with the Using Governmental
Unit(s). Without further action by either party, a binding contract shall result upon final award. Any award issued
will be issued to, and the contract will be formed with, the entity identified as the Offeror on the Cover Page. An
Offer may be submitted by only one legal entity; "joint bids" are not allowed. [02-2A015-1]
BID ACCEPTANCE PERIOD (JAN 2004)
In order to withdraw Your Offer after the minimum period specified on the Cover Page, You must notify the
Procurement Officer in writing. [02-2A020-1]
BID IN ENGLISH and DOLLARS (JAN 2004)
Offers submitted in response to this solicitation shall be in the English language and in US dollars, unless
otherwise permitted by the Solicitation. [02-2A025-1]
CERTIFICATE OF INDEPENDENT PRICE DETERMINATION (MAR 2024)
GIVING FALSE, MISLEADING, OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION ON THIS CERTIFICATION MAY RENDER
YOU SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION UNDER SECTION 16-9-10 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF
LAWS AND OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS
(a) By submitting an offer, the offeror certifies that-
(1) The prices in this offer have been arrived at independently, without, for the purpose of restricting competition,
any consultation, communication, or agreement with any other offeror or competitor relating to-
(i) Those prices;
(ii) The intention to submit an offer; or
(iii) The methods or factors used to calculate the prices offered.
(2) The prices in this offer have not been and will not be knowingly
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disclosed by the offeror, directly or indirectly, to any other offeror or competitor before bid opening (in the case of
a sealed bid solicitation) or contract award (in the case of a negotiated solicitation) unless otherwise required by
law; and
(3) No attempt has been made or will be made by the offeror to induce any other concern to submit or not to
submit an offer for the purpose of restricting competition.
(b) Each signature on the offer is considered to be a certification by the signatory that the signatory-
(1) Is the person in the offeror's organization responsible for determining the prices being offered in this bid or
proposal, and that the signatory has not participated and will not participate in any action contrary to paragraphs
(a)(1) through (a)(3) of this certification; or
(2)(i) Has been authorized, in writing, to act as agent for the offeror's principals in certifying that those principals
have not participated, and will not participate in any action contrary to paragraphs (a)(1) through
(a)(3) of this certification [As used in this subdivision (b)(2)(i), the term "principals" means the person(s) in the
offeror's organization responsible for determining the prices offered in this bid or proposal];
(ii) As an authorized agent, does certify that the principals referenced in subdivision (b)(2)(i) of this certification
have not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to paragraphs (a)(1) through
(a)(3) of this certification; and
(iii) As an agent, has not personally participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to paragraphs
(a)(1) through (a)(3) of this certification.
(c) If the offeror deletes or modifies paragraph (a)(2) of this certification, the offeror must furnish with its offer a
signed statement setting forth in detail the circumstances of the disclosure. [02-2A032-1]
CERTIFICATION REGARDING DEBARMENT AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (JAN 2004)
(a) (1) By submitting an Offer, Offeror certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that-
(i) Offeror and/or any of its Principals-
(A) Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or declared ineligible for the award of
contracts by any state or federal agency;
(B) Have not, within a three-year period preceding this offer, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered
against them for: commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or
performing a public (Federal, state, or local) contract or subcontract; violation of Federal or state antitrust
statutes relating to the submission of offers; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification
or destruction of records, making false statements, tax evasion, or receiving stolen property; and
(C) Are not presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity with,
commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this provision.
(ii) Offeror has not, within a three-year period preceding this offer, had one or more contracts terminated for
default by any public (Federal, state, or local) entity.
(2) "Principals," for the purposes of this certification, means officers; directors; owners; partners; and, persons
having primary management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager;
plant manager; head of a subsidiary, division, or business segment, and similar positions).
(b) Offeror shall provide immediate written notice to the Procurement Officer if, at any time prior to contract
award, Offeror learns that its certification was erroneous when submitted or has become erroneous by reason of
changed circumstances.
(c) If Offeror is unable to certify the representations stated in paragraphs (a)(1), Offer must submit a written
explanation regarding its inability to make the certification. The certification will be considered in connection with
a review of the Offeror's responsibility. Failure of the Offeror to furnish additional information as requested by the
Procurement Officer may render the Offeror nonresponsible.
(d) Nothing contained in the foregoing shall be construed to require establishment of a system of records in
order to render, in good faith, the certification required by paragraph (a) of this provision. The knowledge and
information of an Offeror is not required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the
ordinary course of business dealings.
(e) The certification in paragraph (a) of this provision is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was
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placed when making award. If it is later determined that the Offeror knowingly or in bad faith rendered an
erroneous certification, in addition to other remedies available to the State, the Procurement Officer may
terminate the contract resulting from this solicitation for default. [02-2A035-1]
CODE OF LAWS AVAILABLE (JAN 2006)
The South Carolina Code of Laws, including the Consolidated Procurement Code, is available at:
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/statmast.php
The South Carolina Regulations are available at:
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/statmast.php
[02-2A040-2]
DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR UNFAIR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE (JUL 2023)
("OCI FAQ for Contractors" is available at www.procurement.sc.gov)
(a) You certify that, after reasonable inquiry, to the best of your knowledge and belief: (1) your offer identifies
any services that relate to either this solicitation or the work and that have already been performed by you, a
proposed subcontractor, or an affiliated business or consultant of either; and (2) there are no relevant facts or
circumstances that may give rise to an actual or potential organizational conflict of interest, as defined in S.C.
Code Ann. Reg. 19-445.2127, or that your offer identifies and explains any unfair competitive advantage you
may have in competing for the proposed contract and any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise
from your participation in this competition or your receipt of an award.
(b) If you, a proposed subcontractor, or an affiliated business or consultant of either, have an unfair competitive
advantage or an actual or potential conflict of interest, the State may withhold award. Before withholding award
on these grounds, the State will notify you of the concerns and provide a reasonable opportunity for you to
respond. The State may consider efforts to avoid or mitigate such concerns, including restrictions on future
activities.
(c) The certification in paragraph (a) of this provision is a material representation of fact upon which the State
will rely when considering your offer for award. [02-2A047-3]
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF OFFER (JAN 2004)
Any offer received after the Procurement Officer of the governmental body or his designee has declared that the
time set for opening has arrived, shall be rejected unless the offer has been delivered to the designated
purchasing office or the governmental body's mail room which services that purchasing office prior to the
opening. [R.19-445.2070(G)] [02-2A050-1]
DRUG FREE WORK PLACE CERTIFICATION (JAN 2004)
By submitting an Offer, Contractor certifies that, if awarded a contract, Contractor will comply with all applicable
provisions of The Drug-free Workplace Act, Title 44, Chapter 107 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as
amended. [02-2A065-1]
DUTY TO INQUIRE (FEB 2015)
Offeror, by submitting an Offer, represents that it has read and understands the Solicitation and that its Offer is
made in compliance with the Solicitation. Offerors are expected to examine the Solicitation thoroughly and
should request an explanation of any ambiguities, discrepancies, errors, omissions, or conflicting statements in
the Solicitation. Failure to do so will be at the Offeror's risk. All ambiguities, discrepancies, errors, omissions, or
conflicting statements in the Solicitation shall be interpreted to require the better quality or greater quantity of
work and/or materials, unless otherwise directed by amendment. Offeror assumes responsibility for any patent
ambiguity in the Solicitation that Offeror does not bring to the State's attention. See clause entitled "Questions
from Offerors." [02-2A070-2]
ETHICS CERTIFICATE (MAY 2008)
By submitting an offer, the offeror certifies that the offeror has and will comply with, and has not, and will not,
induce a person to violate Title 8, Chapter 13 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended (ethics act). The
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following statutes require special attention: Section 8-13-700, regarding use of official position for financial gain;
Section 8-13-705, regarding gifts to influence action of public official; Section 8-13-720, regarding offering
money for advice or assistance of public official; Sections 8-13-755 and 8-13-760, regarding restrictions on
employment by former public official; Section 8-13-775, prohibiting public official with economic interests from
acting on contracts; Section 8-13-790, regarding recovery of kickbacks; Section 8-13-1150, regarding
statements to be filed by consultants; and Section 8-13-1342, regarding restrictions on contributions by
contractor to candidate who participated in awarding of contract. The state may rescind any contract and
recover all amounts expended as a result of any action taken in violation of this provision. If contractor
participates, directly or indirectly, in the evaluation or award of public contracts, including without limitation,
change orders or task orders regarding a public contract, contractor shall, if required by law to file such a
statement, provide the statement required by Section 8-13-1150 to the procurement officer at the same time the
law requires the statement to be filed. [02-2A075-2]
MULTIPLE OFFERS (MAR 2024)
Offerors may submit more than one Offer, provided that each Offer has significant differences other than price.
Each separate Offer must satisfy all Solicitation requirements. If this solicitation is an Invitation for Bids, each
separate offer must be submitted or uploaded as a separate document and must clearly indicate that it is a
separate offer. If this solicitation is a Request for Proposals, multiple offers may be submitted or uploaded as
one document, provided that you clearly differentiate between each offer and you submit a separate cost
proposal for each offer, if applicable. [02-2A079-1]
OMIT TAXES FROM PRICE (JAN 2004)
Do not include any sales or use taxes in Your price that the State may be required to pay. [02-2A080-1]
PRICING (MAR 2024)
(a) Fixed Price. If a fixed price is required, award will not be made on an Offer if the total possible price to the
State cannot be determined. (b) Price Reasonableness: Any offer may be rejected if the Procurement Officer
determines in writing that it is unreasonable as to price. (c) Unbalanced Pricing. The State will analyze all offers
with separately priced line items or subline items to determine if the prices are unbalanced. Unbalanced pricing
exists when, despite an acceptable total evaluated price, the price of one or more line items is significantly over
or understated. The responsible procurement officer may reject an offer as unreasonably priced if she
determines that unbalanced pricing increases performance risk (e.g., it is so unbalanced as to be tantamount to
allowing an advance payment) or could result in payment of unreasonably high prices. S.C. Code Ann. Reg.
19-445.2122C. [02-2A082-2]
OPEN TRADE REPRESENTATION (JUN 2015)
By submitting an Offer, Offeror represents that Offeror is not currently engaged in the boycott of a person or an
entity based in or doing business with a jurisdiction with whom South Carolina can enjoy open trade, as defined
in SC Code Section 11-35-5300. [02-2A083-1]
PROTESTS (MAY 2024)
(a) If you are aggrieved in connection with the solicitation or award of the contract, you may be entitled to
protest, but only as provided in Section 11-35-4210. To protest the solicitation or an amendment, your written
protest must be received within fifteen Days of the date the applicable solicitation document is issued. To protest
an award, (i) written notice of your intent to protest must be received within seven Business Days of the date the
award notice is posted, and (ii) your actual written protest must be received within fifteen Days of the date the
award notice is posted. Time periods are computed in accordance with Section 11-35-310(13) and the
definitions for Day and Business Day. Both protests and notices of intent to protest must be received by the
appropriate Chief Procurement Officer (CPO). See clause entitled "Protest-CPO." (b) Pursuant to Section
11-35-410, documents directly connected to a procurement activity may be available within five days after
request. All document requests should be directed to SCDOTFOIAInfo@scdot.org and the Procurement Officer
listed on the cover page of this solicitation. If a protest is pending, the protestant's lawyer may access
otherwise unavailable information by applying to the CPO for the issuance of a protective order. Additional
information is available at www.procurement.sc.gov/legal [02-2A085-3]
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