Boise Junior College District v. Mattefs Construction Co.

Mattefs Construction Co. (defendant) bid $141,000 on a project for Boise Junior College District (plaintiff), backed by a bid bond promising to pay the difference between its bid and the next accepted bid if it refused to contract. Mattefs's bid contained a clerical error-its true costs were about $151,000. The District awarded Mattefs the contract, but Mattefs refused to sign. The District awarded the job to the next bidder at $149,000 and sued for the difference. Mattefs sought rescission based on its mistake; the trial court granted rescission, and the District appealed.

Whether a bidder who makes an error in preparing a public-works bid may ever obtain the equitable relief of rescission.