MAY 20, 2005 Advance Planning Required For On-Time Bid Delivery (Washington, DC) The Office of Contracting and Procurement recommends that potential contractors, due to heightened security requirements, arrive at bid opening locations at least one hour prior to bid opening time. District of Columbia government buildings have increased security requirements for those entering the buildings. These requirements may affect on-time delivery of bids. Potential contractors responding to the Office of Contracting and Procurement solicitations are urged to arrive at the bid opening locations in time to clear building security. Potential contractors should inform the building security staff that they are submitting a bid response. The Office of Contracting and Procurement is bound by regulations to date and time stamp each bid as it comes into the bid opening locations. It is the responsibility of the potential contractor to deliver the bid by the required date and time as stated in the solicitation. Packages exceeding in size the portal to the scanning machines must be opened and inspected. The size of these machines may vary at different DC government buildings and the security staff may conduct additional random security searches.