SECTION 00100 - INVITATION TO BID
The Board of County Commissioners of Flathead County, Montana will receive sealed bids for the 2026 Dust Cost Share Program. The project consists of placing dust palliative along identified roads throughout the Flathead County Roadway System. The bid will consist of placing approximately 609,922.52 linear feet of dust palliative as either Magnesium Chloride or Calcium Chloride in brine solution to existing roadways. Existing roadways are assumed at 24 feet wide and the dust palliative application width is assumed at 22 feet and includes a 1-foot application setback on each side of the roadway. Various roadways within Flathead County will be receiving dust palliative and the Contractor should be prepared to mobilize equipment on a daily basis.
Digital project bidding documents are available upon request at the Flathead County Road & Bridge Department, 1249 Willow Glen Drive, Kalispell, Montana 59901, (406) 758-5790. You may download and print the Contract Documents at no charge from their website, https://flatheadcounty.gov/department-directory/roads-and-bridges , however, all Prime Contractors that intend to offer a bid for this project must contact the Flathead County Road & Bridge Department at the address stipulated above to obtain an “Official” Bid Packet, at no charge, and to get their name added to the Planholders List. The entire set of project documents may also be obtained, in the form of printed plans, contract documents, specifications, and an “Official” Bid Packet for a non-refundable deposit of $100.00, if the Contractor chooses not to download and print their own documents. No bids will be considered unless they are submitted with the “Official” Bid Packet and the Contractor’s name has been included on the Planholders List.
The Contractor and any of the Contractor’s Subcontractors bidding or doing work on this project are required to be registered with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) at the time of bid submission. Forms for registration are available from the Department of Labor and Industry, PO Box 8011, 1805 Prospect, Helena MT 59604-8011. Information on registration can be obtained by calling (406) 444-7734. The Contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Any bidder wanting more information may contact the Flathead County Road & Bridge Department at (406) 758-5790.
A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at the office of the Flathead County Road & Bridge Department commencing at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Interested Bidders are encouraged to attend the Pre-Bid Meeting.
Bids will be received at the Board of County Commissioners of Flathead County, 800 South Main Street, Room 302, Kalispell, Montana 59901 until 4:00 pm, local time, on Monday, April 13, 2026. All bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at 9:45 am, local time, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in the Commissioners’ Chambers, located on the third floor of the County Courthouse.
All bidders shall, as bid security, accompany the bid with 1) lawful currency of the United States or a cashier’s check; or 2) a certified check or bank money order drawn and issued by a national bank located in Montana or by a banking corporation incorporated in Montana; or 3) a bid bond or bonds, executed by a surety corporation authorized to do business in Montana. The bid security shall be in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the amount bid. Any such bank instrument shall be payable to Flathead County. If a contract is awarded, the bidder whose bond is accepted and who shall thereafter refuse to enter into and execute the proposed contract, or as stated in the covenant, shall absolutely forfeit such moneys or bank instruments to the County, and become immediately liable on said bid bond in said sum. The bid security shall be returned to the unsuccessful bidders.
All bids must expressly covenant that if the bidder is awarded the contract, the bidder shall within ten (10) calendar days of the acceptance of said bid by the County Commissioners, enter into a contract, and give good and sufficient bond to secure the performance of the terms and conditions of the contract. In the event the successful bidder does not enter into a formal contract within ten (10) calendar days or give sufficient bond to secure performance, the bidder shall pay unto the County the difference between the amount of the bid of said bidder and the amount for which the County legally contracts with another party to perform said work if the latter amount is more than the former.
Award of the project will be contingent upon funding and award concurrence from the County Commissioners. Bids may only be withdrawn as provided in Article 15 of the Instructions to Bidders after the scheduled time for the public opening of bids. Except as provided in the aforementioned Article 15, no bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of bids without the consent of the County Commissioners for a period of sixty (60) days after the scheduled time of receiving the bids.
The County will accept the lowest responsible bid, but the County Commissioners reserve the right to reject any and all bids or to waive any technicality or informality and accept any bid which may be deemed in the best interest of the County.
The successful bidder will be required to furnish an acceptable security for the full amount of the contract for faithful performance thereof and payment of labor, material, and subcontractor claims.
The successful bidder shall be required to furnish to the County evidence of insurance in accordance with the Seventh Edition of the Montana Public Works Standard Specifications. The successful bidder shall for the purpose of the Contract with the County, name Flathead County and Robert Peccia & Associates, Inc. as additional insured on said policy while performing work under County contract.
The successful bidder will be assessed the Montana Contractor’s withholding tax.
The successful bidder will be required to abide by Federal and State laws, particularly Section 18-2-401 et seq., M.C.A. (Montana Prevailing Wage Rates).
Authorized by order of the Board of County Commissioners of Flathead County, Montana, in a regular meeting dated this 17th day of March 2026.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Flathead County, Montana
By: _/s/Brad W. Abell_________
Brad W. Abell, Chairman
Published: March 22, 2026
March 29, 2026