Common use of LATEBIDS Clause in Contracts

LATEBIDS. (a) Bids received at the Office of the Contracting Officer after the precise time set in the Invitation for Bids are late bids. (b) A late bid shall be considered for award only if it is received before award; and either; (i) It was sent by mail including registered or certified for which an official dated post office stamp (Postmark) on the envelope has been obtained, and it is determined that the lateness was due solely to a delay in the mails for which the bidder was not responsible; or (ii) If submitted by mail it was received at the Office of the Contracting Officer in sufficient time to be opened as required in the Invitation but except for delay due to mishandling on the part of the Government. The only evidence acceptable to establish timely receipt at the Office of the Contracting Officer is that which can be established upon examination of an appropriate time stamp or a written statement from an official of the U. S. Postal Service. (c)