As any bidder, Smith & Johnson was required to secure services of a bonding company in the role of an insurance company. If for whatever reason the contractor is unable to perform, the bonding company steps in and takes over responsibility for the work.
This is uncharted water here; this is the first time the turnpike commission has done this. I don't even know if it would be feasible for the bonding company to take over (Smith & Johnson). There may not be any employee infrastructure to use.