Final answer:
In a bidding process, the owner has several implied duties to ensure fairness and equality, including extending an impartial invitation to bid, maintaining equity, ensuring transparency, treating all bidders with consideration, and providing access to necessary information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question focuses on the implied duties of fairness and equity in a bidding process. Every owner who solicits bids has several implied duties towards all potential bidders. These duties are meant to ensure a fair and equal opportunity for all parties interested in submitting a bid. Here are five such duties:
- An impartial invitation to bid must be extended to all qualified parties, ensuring there is no preference or exclusion based on factors such as race or socioeconomic status.
- Equity must be maintained throughout the bidding process, meaning that no bidder is given undue advantage or disadvantage.
- The owner must ensure transparency and openness regarding the bidding requirements and the criteria that will be used to assess the bids.
- There is an imperative to treat all bidders with consideration and fairness, listening and responding to any queries they might have.
- An owner should make all reasonable efforts to provide bidders with access to all necessary information, thus facilitating an informed and fair bidding competition.
By adhering to these duties, the owner contributes to an environment where the process is competitive and just, and all bidders have an equal chance of success.