1306Execution and Approval of Contract

The lowest responsible Bidder shall return the Contract to the Department with the required Payment and Performance Bonds within 7 Calendar Days after Award. If the Contract specifies the Contract Time as Working Days and the lowest responsible Bidder fails to return the signed Contract documents within 7 Calendar Days, the Department may reduce the Contract Time to reflect the delay caused by the Contractor. If the Contract specifies the Contract Time as a Completion Date, the lowest responsible Bidder’s delay in returning the signed Contract documents is a non-excusable delay under 1806.2C, “Non-Excusable Delays,” and the Contractor is not entitled to an extension of the Contract Time. If the lowest responsible Bidder is unable to return the signed Contract documents within the specified time due to the absence of one or more of the required signers, the Department may extend the time if the Contractor submits satisfactory evidence that the Contract documents will be signed. A foreign or nonresident corporation that is awarded a Contract shall provide proof that it has met all legal requirements for transacting business in the State of Minnesota, as a condition precedent to Contract approval. The Department will provide the lowest responsible Bidder with a notice of approval or disapproval of the Contract and Contract Bonds within 1 4 Calendar Days after the lowest responsible Bidder properly signs and returns the Contract documents to the Department. The Award is not binding and the Contract is not effective until both parties fully execute the Contract and the Department approves the Contract, as required by law.