Petricca Construction Co. v. Commonwealth of Mass., 37 Mass. App. Ct. 392 (1994) The Court ruled an Awarding Authority may not reject all bids simply to obtain a lower price on rebid. Here the two low bids were invalid. But Petricca's bid, which was third low, was still within the Commonwealth's estimate. The Court stated that the Massachusetts competitive bid law is intended to create open and honest competition, and the Authority's rejection of all bids in these circumstances created an opportunity for favoritism in the award of public contracts that is not permitted. n School Building Committee v. Commercial Union, 37 Mass. App. Ct. 911 (1994) The Invitation to Bid provided that bids were to be in effect for thirty days exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The subcontract was presented to the sub-bidder beyond the thirty day period, and he refused to sign. The Awarding Authority then sought recovery against the sub's bid bond. The Court ruled the Authority could not recover because the sub-bid expired after the thirty day period, and the subcontractor was not obligated to accept the subcontract.
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