ORS 279C.385 Return or retention of bid security

A contracting agency shall return the bid security of the successful bidder to the bidder after the bidder:

Executes the public improvement contract; and

Delivers a good and sufficient performance bond, a good and sufficient payment bond and any required proof of insurance.

A bidder who is awarded a contract and who fails promptly and properly to execute the contract and to deliver the performance bond, the payment bond and the proof of insurance, when bonds or insurance are required, shall forfeit the bid security that accompanied the successful bid. The bid security shall be taken and considered as liquidated damages and not as a penalty for failure of the bidder to execute the contract and deliver the bonds and proof of insurance.

The contracting agency may return the bid security of unsuccessful bidders to them when the bids have been opened and the contract has been awarded, and may not retain the bid security after the contract has been duly signed.