8-00. Bid 020.27.B9 Addendum No. 1.pdf

PROCUREMENT OFFICE

10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042 410-313-6644

ADDENDUM NO. 1

9/10/2026

RE: Roof Replacement Contractor Services Bid# 020.27.B9

TO: PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS

This addendum forms a part of the Contract Documents and modifies the Original Bidding Documents as noted below. Acknowledge receipt of this Addendum in the space provided on the Bid Signature Sheet- Affiavit. Failure to do so may subject the Bidder to disqualification. This Addendum consists of 17 pages.

BID DOCUMENTS CHANGE:

Section 00730 MBE Requirements was not included in the original solicitation. It is included in this addendum. Any bidder who is awarded under this on-call contract will be expected to follow the MBE requirements when bidding on specific roof replacement projects.

Q&A

1) You said we need 70% score. The technical criteria are listed in order of importance, but I do not see a point allocation. Can you provide the actual technical scoring breakdown?

Answer:

Pass/Fail:

- Transmittal Letter

- Bid Signature Sheet-Affidavit

- Copy of Contractor's License

- Specimen Copy of Certificate of Insurance

- Number of incidents cited for non-compliance by MOSH/OSHA/ MDE/EPA or letter stating no incidents on company letterhead

- Letter from your bonding company stating its willingness to provide your firm with performance bonds for the projects over $100,000

- Copies of Roof Manufacturer Certification Certificates

- Appendix F - Education Article 6-113.2 Affidavit

- Appendix I - Debarment Certification

- Supplemental Bid Question

- Subcontractors / Installers (part of Company Profile Questionnaire, but not included in points)

Questionnaire Points:

- Experience / Reference Form - 100 points

- Key Personnel Form – 60 points

- Company Profile Form – 30 points

2) During the meeting, manufacturer certifications were discussed. Those certification were:

Sarnafil Fibertite Johns Manville

GAF

Soprema Elevate Carlise - However Versico was deemed acceptable since it is essentially Carlisle relabeled.

Can you please categorize which of the manufactures will appear in Single Ply Project Specifications and which ones will appear in Built-up, Modified Bitumen Specification.

Answer:

Single Ply Acceptable Manufacturers:

Fibertite Sarnafil Carlisle Versico

Built-Up Roof Acceptable Manufacturers:

Soprema Johns Manville Elevate (Firestone)

GAF

HCPSS preference is that contractors are certified to install all of the above manufacturer's products for a 30-year NDL warranty. At a minimum, the contractor shall be certified with any 6 of the 8 manufacturers listed above.

3) In the meeting a point system was mentioned and a score of 70% required to be approved in the contractor services program. Can you please share the point value of each submission?

Answer:

Please see the answer to question #1.

4) The solicitation states that bidders must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience “under the same company name” providing roof replacement services. Please clarify whether a company that has undergone a legal entity conversion, acquisition, or corporate name change—but continues the same roofing operations, personnel, management, experience, and business history—would satisfy this requirement.

Would the bidder be permitted to demonstrate the required five years of experience through documentation of its predecessor/former company name and continuity of operations?

Answer:

No. This qualification remains as worded in the solicitation.

This Addendum includes the Pre-Bid Meeting Attendance.

END OF ADDENDUM NO. 1

Pre-Bid Meeting attendance:

Names Company Names Gena Richardson St. Mary's Roofing and Home Improvement Vasilios (Bill) Tziamouranis D Project, Inc.

Gina Jenkins Cole Roofing Sarah Drumheller Northeast Contracting Company Sean Park Ruff Roofing and Sheet Metal, LLC Yesi Rodriguez Morris Contracting LLC Tony Kayafas Firstline Contracting Inc Cesar Rivas Simpson Unlimited Alfred Smith CitiRoof Corporation Lassana Diakite Diakite Roofing & Restoration Mike

Steve Lee Autumn Contracting, Inc Linet Onyango Joint Forces Roofing Jose Moreno

Ben Perry Four Twelve Roofing Cecilia

Far

Miguel Paqui

PUR-Doc 1-08

SECTION 000730

MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MBE) REQUIREMENTS

1.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of the Procedures is to fulfill the intent of the law by setting goals for minority business enterprise participation in every contract that includes State funding through the Public School Construction Program. Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) shall attempt to achieve the result that a minimum of 29 percent of the total dollar value of all construction contracts is made directly or indirectly with certified minority business enterprises when State Public School Construction Program (PSCP) funds are utilized, with a minimum of 0 percent from certified African American-owned businesses, a minimum of 0 percent from certified Asian American-owned businesses, and the balance from any certified minority business enterprises. All general contractors, including certified MBE firms, when bidding as general or prime contractors are required to attempt to achieve the MBE subcontracting goals from certified MBE firms.

2.0 EFFECTIVE DATE

These procedures have been adopted for use in Howard County and supersede previously utilized MBE procedures, and will take effect on or after September 18, 2008.

3.0 DEFINITIONS

1. Certification means the determination that a legal entity is a minority business enterprise consistent with the intent of Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

2. Certified Minority Business Enterprise means a minority business that holds a certification issued by the Maryland State Department of Transportation (MDOT).

3. Corporation, as defined by MDOT, is an artificial person or legal entity created by or under the authority of the laws of any state of the United States, the District of Columbia or a territory or commonwealth of the United States and formed for the purpose of transacting business in the widest sense of that term, including not only trade and commerce, but also manufacturing, mining, banking, insurance, transportation and other forms of commercial or industry activity where the purpose of the organization is profit. For eligibility for certification, disadvantaged and/or minority individuals must own at least 51 percent of the voting stock and at least 51 percent of the aggregate of all classes of stock that have been issued by the corporation. (Note: stock held in trust is not considered as stock held by the disadvantaged businesspersons when computing the business person(s) ownership.)

4. Managerial Control, as defined by MDOT, means that a disadvantaged or minority owner(s) has the demonstrable ability to make independent and unilateral business decisions needed to guide the future and destiny of a business.

Control may be demonstrated in many ways. For a minority owner to demonstrate control, the following examples are put forth, but are not intended to be all inclusive:

a. Articles of Incorporation, Corporate Bylaws, Partnership Agreements and other agreements shall be free of restrictive language which would dilute the minority owner’s control thereby preventing the minority owner from making those decisions which affect the destiny of a business;

b. The minority owner shall be able to show clearly through production of documents the areas of the disadvantaged business owner’s control, such as, but not limited to:

1) Authority to sign payroll checks and letters of credit;

2) Authority to negotiate and sign for insurance and/or bonds;

3) Authority to negotiate for banking services, such as establishing lines of credit; and

4) Authority to negotiate and sign for contracts.

c. Agreements for support services that do not lessen the minority owner’s control of the company are permitted as long as the disadvantaged or minority business owner’s authority to manage the company is not restricted or impaired.

5. Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) means any legal entity, except a joint venture, that is (a) organized to engage in commercial transactions, and (b) at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged including:

African Americans;

American Indian/Native Americans;

Asians;

Hispanics;

Physically or mentally disabled individuals;

Women; or

A non-profit entity organized to promote the interests of physically or mentally disabled individuals.

6. Minority Business Enterprise Liaison means the employee of the school system designated to administer the Minority Business Enterprise Procedures for State funded public school construction projects.

7. Operational Control, as defined by MDOT, means that the disadvantaged or minority owner(s) must possess knowledge necessary to evaluate technical aspects of the business entity. The primary consideration in determining operational control and the extent to which the disadvantaged or minority owner(s) actually operates a business will rest upon the specialties of the industry of which the business is a part.

The minority owner should have a working knowledge of the technical requirements needed to operate in his/her industry. Specifically, in the construction industry and especially among small (one to five person firms) contractors, it is reasonable to expect the disadvantaged or minority owner(s) to be knowledgeable of all aspects of the business. Accordingly, in order to clarify the level of operational involvement which a minority owner must have in a business for it to be considered eligible, the following examples are put forth, but are not intended to be all inclusive:

a. The minority owner should have experience in the industry for which certification is being sought; and

b. The minority owner should demonstrate that basic decisions pertaining to the daily operations of the business are independently made. This does not necessarily preclude the disadvantaged or minority owner(s) from seeking paid or unpaid advice and assistance. It does mean that the minority owner currently must possess the knowledge to weigh all advice given and to make an independent determination.

8. Ownership, as defined by MDOT, means that:

a. The minority owner(s) of the firm shall not be subject to any formal or informal restrictions, which limit the customary discretion of the owner(s). There shall be no restrictions through, for example, charter requirements, by-law provisions, partnership agreements, franchise or distributor agreements or any other agreements that prevent the minority owner(s), without the cooperation or vote of any non-minority, from making a business decision of the firm.

b. This means that the disadvantaged or minority persons, in order to acquire their ownership interests in the firm, have made real and substantial contributions of capital, expertise or other tangible personal assets derived from independently owned holdings without benefit of a transfer of assets, gift or inheritance from non-minority persons. Examples of insufficient contributions include a promise to contribute capital, a note payable to the firm or its owners who are not minority persons or the mere participation as an employee rather than as a manager. If the ownership interest held by a disadvantaged or minority person is subject to formal or informal restrictions, such as options, security interests, agreements, etc., held by a non-minority person or business entity, the options, security interests, agreements, etc., held by the non-minority person or business entity must not significantly impair the disadvantaged or minority person’s ownership interest.

9. Partnership means an unincorporated association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners of a business for profit. For a partnership to be deemed eligible for certification under the MDOT Program, the disadvantaged or minority person’s interest must be at least 51 percent of the partnership capital.

10. Socially and Economically Disadvantaged means a citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States who is socially disadvantaged and economically disadvantaged. The law establishes the level of personal net worth at $1,500,000, above which an individual may not be found to be socially and economically disadvantaged.

11. Sole Proprietorship, as defined by MDOT, is a for-profit business owned and operated by a disadvantaged or minority person in his or her individual capacity. For a sole proprietorship to be deemed eligible for certification under the DBE/MBE Program, the disadvantaged or minority person must be the sole proprietor.

4.0 MBE GOAL SETTING PROCEDURES

1. The MBE program requires that all race-neutral measures be considered before making use of race-based measures. Using a combination of race-neutral and race-based measures for each specific school construction project will help ensure that certified MBE firms are afforded the opportunity to submit bids and be utilized to the greatest extent possible.

2. Race-neutral measures include any action taken by the LEA to make it easier for all contractors, including MBEs, to compete successfully for public school construction project contracts.

3. Race-based measures include setting an overall MBE goal and MBE subgoals, if applicable, based upon race, gender, ethnicity, etc., for a specific project.

4. The overall MBE goal and the subgoals, if applicable, should be set for each specific project, considering but not limited to, the following factors:

a. The extent to which the work to be performed can reasonably be segmented to allow for MBEs to participate in the project;

b. A determination of the number of certified MBEs that potentially could perform the identified work;

c. The geographic location of the project in relationship to the identified certified

MBEs;

d. Information obtained from other State departments/agencies related to establishing a MBE goal and/or subgoals for similar construction projects or work in the jurisdiction;

e. Information obtained from other State departments/agencies related to MBE participation in similar construction projects or work in the jurisdiction; and

f. Any other activities or information that may be identified as useful and productive.

5. The Superintendent or designee shall establish one or more procurement review groups (PRG). The PRG must include at a minimum the MBE liaison and the procurement officer (PO) or a representative from the procurement office. The PRG could also include a capital improvement project manager, the project architect, the cost estimator, the construction manager, and/or other individuals selected by the superintendent or designee.

a. The PRG should communicate and/or meet as needed to consider the MBE subcontracting goal and subgoals, if applicable, for individual projects or groups of projects.

b. The PRG should consider the factors cited in 4 above when establishing the MBE goal and subgoals, if applicable, for each project or segmented piece of a project that are reasonable and attainable.

c. The PRG must complete and submit a written analysis for each state funded school construction project with an estimated cost that is expected to exceed $200,000.

i.. For state-funded projects that require review of construction documents

(CD), the written analysis shall be submitted with the CD documents to the department of general services, and will be reviewed by DGS for submission, appropriate signatures, and correspondence between the goal and subgoals, if applicable, indicated in the analysis and those of the procurement documents.

ii. For state-funded projects that do not require review of construction documents, the written analysis shall be submitted to the public school construction program, and will be reviewed by the PSCP for submission and appropriate signatures.

iii. For locally funded projects that are anticipated to be requested for state approval of planning and funding, the written analysis shall be submitted with the CD documents to the Maryland state department of education, and will be reviewed by MSDE for submission, appropriate signatures, and correspondence between the goal and subgoals, if applicable, indicated in the analysis and those of the procurement documents. Submission of this document is a pre-condition for recommendation for state approval of planning and funding when submitted in an annual CIP.

d. For projects estimated to cost between $50,000 and $200,000 the same analysis form is to be completed and submitted. This could be a responsibility of the PRG, but could be performed by others as well.

i. For state-funded projects that require review of construction documents

(CD), the written analysis shall be submitted with the CD documents to the department of general services, and will be reviewed by DGS for submission, appropriate signatures, and correspondence between the goal and subgoals, if applicable, indicated in the analysis and those of the procurement documents.

ii. For state-funded projects that do not require review of construction documents, the written analysis shall be submitted to the public school construction program, and will be reviewed by the PSCP for submission and appropriate signatures.

e. If the project cost is estimated to exceed $200,000 then a copy of the written analysis shall also be sent to GOMA at the same time that the written analysis is submitted to the DGS or the PSCP.

f. The PRG should consult with local counsel for the board of education as needed.

5. It is recognized that by utilizing the factors cited in 4 above, the MBE goal and/or subgoals, if applicable, for a specific project or portion thereof may be significantly higher than the overall goals of the program (29% overall, with 0% from African American-owned businesses and 0% from Asian American-owned businesses). It is also recognized and possible that there will be MBE goals set that are lower than those stated above or even that no MBE goal and/or subgoals will be set for a specific project or the segmented piece of the project.

6. Assistance in reviewing the factors cited in 4 above and setting a goal and/or subgoals, if applicable, for specific projects or a segmented piece of a project can be obtained by contacting the Public School Construction Program and/or the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs.

5.0 IMPLEMENTING PROCEDURES - Over $50,000

For construction projects estimated to cost in excess of $50,000, the following procedures will be utilized:

1. All advertisements, solicitations, and solicitation documents shall include the following statements:

a. "Certified Minority Business Enterprises are encouraged to respond to this solicitation notice."

b. "The contractor or supplier who provides materials, supplies, equipment and/or services for this construction project shall attempt to achieve the specific overall MBE goal of ____ percent established for this project. All prime contractors, including certified MBE firms, when submitting bids or proposals as general or prime contractors, are required to attempt to achieve this goal from certified MBE firms.”

c. If subgoals have been established for this project then one of the following should be included:

1) “The subgoals established for this project are ____ percent from African

American-owned businesses and _____ percent from Asian American– owned businesses.”

2) “The subgoal established for this project is ____ percent from African American-owned businesses.”

3) “The subgoal established for this project is ____ percent from Asian American–owned businesses.”

d. "The bidder or offeror is required to submit with its bid or proposal a completed Attachment A - Certified MBE Utilization and Fair Solicitation Affidavit and

Attachment B - MBE Participation Schedule, as described in the solicitation documents.

e. If there is no overall MBE goal or MBE subgoals established for the project, then only 1.A. above is to be included.

2. Other Advertisement and Outreach Requirements

a. To encourage greater MBE participation the staff of the school system should send out notices of potential projects to MBEs or solicit bids or proposals directly from minority business enterprise contractors that are certified.

b. A copy of the solicitation notice, preferably electronically, shall be sent to the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs at the same time the advertisement for the solicitation is released.

c. Upon request for a specific project, the school system shall provide one set of drawings and specifications (and addenda when issued) to minority business enterprise associations recognized by the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs.

They will be available free of charge to be picked up at a location designated by the LEA. A review of the bid or proposal activity by an association’s members may be initiated to justify continuation of this service.

d. When a pre-bid or pre-proposal conference is held, the MBE Liaison or designated representative shall explain the MBE goal and subgoals, if applicable;

the MBE provisions of the solicitation; the documentation required at the time of submission; its relationship to the responsiveness of the bidder or offeror; how to complete the required attachments, particularly A, B, and C; and additional information and supporting documentation that may be required after the bid or proposal opening. All contractors who attend the pre-bid or pre-proposal conference should receive a list or information explaining how to obtain a listing of certified MBE firms who could perform the work or have expressed an interest in performing the school construction work required for the specific project in the jurisdiction.

e. The names of prime contractors obtaining drawings and specifications will be shared with certified MBEs and MBE associations, upon request.

f. The MBE liaison, in conjunction with the procurement officer or project staff, should respond to all applicable questions and concerns relating to the project’s MBE requirements completely and in a timely fashion to ensure that all potential contractors and subcontractors can compete effectively.

3. All Solicitation Documents Shall Include the Following:

a. “Certified Minority Business Enterprises are encouraged to respond to this solicitation notice”.

b. “The contractor or supplier who provides materials, supplies, equipment and/or services for this construction project shall attempt to achieve the result that a minimum of __ percent of the total contract value is with certified Minority Business Enterprises, with a minimum of __ percent from certified African American-owned businesses, a minimum of __ percent from certified Asian American-owned businesses, and the balance from any certified Minority Business Enterprises. All contractors, including certified MBE firms, when submitting bids or proposals as prime contractors, are required to attempt to achieve the MBE goal and subgoals, if applicable, from certified MBEs”. Note:

see 6.1.C. above for variations that may be required.

c. Each bid or offer submitted, including a submittal from a certified MBE in response to this solicitation, shall be accompanied by a completed Attachment A

- Certified MBE Utilization and Fair Solicitation Affidavit and a completed Attachment B - MBE Participation Schedule. These two attachments must be accurate and consistent with each other.

1) Attachment A and Attachment B shall be submitted with the sealed bid price or proposal at a place, date, and time specified in the solicitation document.

2) As an alternative, and at the discretion of the school system, Attachment A could be submitted with the sealed bid price or proposal at a place, date, and time specified in the solicitation document. The sealed bids or proposals received by the time specified could be held, unopened for a maximum of 30 minutes. Within that time (30 minutes) each bidder or offeror must submit Attachment B, in a separate sealed envelope. The sealed price envelopes from each bidder or offeror who submits both the sealed bid or proposal and the envelope with Attachment B will then be opened and reviewed and recorded as a viable submission. Any contractor that fails to submit the second envelope, with Attachment B, prior to the specified time allowed (30 minutes) after the submittal of the sealed bid or proposal will be deemed non-responsive and the sealed bid or proposal will not be opened or considered.

d. The submittal of a completed and signed Attachment A - Certified MBE Utilization and Fair Solicitation Affidavit and a completed and signed Attachment B - MBE Participation Schedule indicates the bidder’s or offeror’s recognition and commitment to attempt to achieve the MBE goal and/or MBE subgoals, if applicable, for the specific project.

1) The bidder or offeror recognizes that their efforts made to initiate contact, to solicit, and to include MBE firms in this project will be reviewed carefully and evaluated based upon the actions taken by them prior to and up to 10 days before the bid or proposal opening. Follow-up actions taken by the bidder or offeror within the 10 days prior to the bid opening will also be considered.

2) Based upon this review and evaluation it will be determined, by the MBE liaison, procurement officer, or a designated person, if a good faith effort was made by the apparent low bidder or apparent successful offeror.

3) In accordance with the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs, a MBE Prime contractor may self-perform up to 50% of the overall MBE contract goal and up to 100% of any one MBE contract subgoal, provided that the certified MBE prime contractor is properly identified on the MBE participation schedule and the firm is NAICS code-certified to do the work.

e. The bidder or offeror must check one of the three boxes on Attachment A, which relates to the level of MBE participation achieved for the project. The bidder’s or offeror’s signature indicates that in the event that they did not meet the MBE goal or subgoals, if applicable, that:

1) They are therefore requesting a waiver, and

2) Documentation of their good faith efforts will be provided to the school system staff within 10 days of being notified that they are the apparent low bidder or apparent successful offeror.

f. The bidder or offeror must submit Attachment B (as and when described above), which lists and provides information related to each certified MBE firm that the bidder or offeror will utilize on this project. A completed and accurate Attachment

B is required. All of the work specified to be performed by each MBE firm, the contact information, MDOT certification number, minority code, the dollar values, and percentages must be correct.

g. Attachment B should be completed and submitted with all calculations utilizing the base bid or offer only. A revised Attachment B should be submitted by the successful bidder or offeror once a determination is made as to the acceptance and/or rejection of any alternates.

h. If a request for a waiver has been made, the appropriate box on Attachment A has been checked and the attachment signed, then the LEA should obtain and review the apparent low bidder’s or successful offeror’s supporting documentation of the good faith efforts to justify the granting of the waiver, prior to submitting the contract award for approval to the board of education.

i. The following documentation shall be considered as part of the contract, and shall be furnished by the apparent low bidder or successful offeror to the MBE Liaison or designated person, within ten (10) working days from notification that the firm is the apparent low bidder or successful offeror:

1) A completed Attachment D - Minority Business Enterprise Subcontractor

Project Participation Statement shall be completed and signed by the prime contractor and each MBE firm listed on Attachment B - MBE Participation Schedule and Attachment C - Outreach Efforts Compliance Statement shall be signed and completed by the bidder or offeror.

2) Notification for purposes of this procedure means the earliest of the following methods of communication: orally in person, orally by telephone, orally by a telephone message, a faxed communication, a letter by date received or an electronic communication.

3) The ten (10) working days do not include the day the notification is received, weekends or holidays (State or Federal), but the material submitted must be received by the close of business on the tenth day.

4) The requirement to submit the above-listed documentation within the time frame specified will be considered by the IAC in its review of the request for contract award for the project. Failure to submit the required documentation within the time frame specified may result in a delay of the approval of the award of the contract, or the materials being returned without the approval of the award of the contract.

4. Waiver Procedures

a. If the apparent low bidder or successful offeror has determined that they are unable to meet the overall MBE goal or subgoals, if applicable, for the project at the time of submission of a bid or offer, they must check either of the two boxes on Attachment A. The signature recognizes and acknowledges that a request for a waiver is being made. The apparent low bidder or successful offeror will therefore be required to submit information and substantiating documentation that will be reviewed to justify the granting of a waiver.

b. If the apparent low bidder or successful offeror is unable to achieve the overall MBE contract goal and/or the MBE subgoals, if applicable, from certified African American-owned businesses and/or from certified Asian American-owned businesses, the apparent low bidder or successful offeror shall submit, within 10 working days from notification that the firm is the apparent low bidder or successful offeror, a completed Attachment C - Outreach Efforts Compliance Statement, Attachment E - Minority Subcontractors Unavailability Certificate, and Attachment F - MBE Waiver Documentation which shall include the following:

1) A detailed statement of the efforts made by the bidder or offeror to identify and select portions of the work proposed to be performed by subcontractors in order to increase the likelihood of achieving the stated goal;

2) A detailed statement of the efforts made by the bidder or offeror prior to and up to at least ten (10) days before the bid or proposal opening to solicit minority business enterprises through written notices that describe the categories of work for which subcontracting is being solicited, the type of work to be performed and specific instructions on how to submit a bid or proposal;

3) Follow-up actions taken by the bidder or offeror within the 10 days prior to the bid or proposal opening will also be considered.

4) A detailed statement of the bidder’s or offeror’s efforts to make personal contact with MBE firms identified for item (2) above;

5) A record of the name, address, telephone number and dates contacted for each MBE identified under items (2) and (3) above;

6) A description of the information provided to MBEs regarding the drawings, specifications and the anticipated time schedule for portions of the work to be performed;

7) Information on activities to assist minority business enterprises to fulfill bonding requirements or to obtain a waiver of these requirements;

8) Information on activities to publicize contracting opportunities to minority business enterprises, attendance at pre-bid or pre-proposal meetings or other meetings scheduled by the MBE Liaison or designated representative;

and

9) As to each MBE that placed a subcontract quotation or offer which the apparent low bidder or successful offeror considers not to be acceptable, a detailed statement of reasons for this conclusion.

c. In addition to any waiver documentation the apparent low bidder or successful offeror shall submit one completed Attachment D - Minority Business Enterprise Subcontractor Project Participation statement for each MBE firm that will participate in the project consistent with the information previously provided at the time of the submission of Attachment B or the revised Attachment B.

d. A waiver of an MBE contract goal or subgoal, if applicable, may be granted by the school system only upon receipt of Attachment C - Outreach Efforts Compliance Statement, Attachment E - Minority Subcontractors Unavailability Certificate, and Attachment F - MBE Waiver Documentation as described above in items 1) through 9)

1) The MBE Liaison will review and accept or reject the minority business enterprise material that is submitted, and could obtain legal advice or assistance from their attorney.

2) The MBE waiver request may not be considered unless all of the documentation specified above has been submitted in a timely fashion by the apparent low bidder or successful offerer.

3) Assistance in the review of a request for a waiver (the documentation and justifications) may be requested from the Public School Construction Program and/or the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs.

4) If a determination is made that the apparent low bidder or successful offeror did make a good faith effort, based upon a review of the documentation submitted, then the waiver must be granted. The award of contract shall then be made. The material and information submitted, including the LEA’s review and analysis notes and conclusion shall be retained in the project file.

5) If a determination is made that the apparent low bidder or successful offeror did not make a good faith effort, based upon a review of the documentation submitted, then the waiver should not be granted. The material and information submitted, including the LEA’s review and analysis notes and conclusion, shall be retained in the project file. The award of contract shall then be made to the next lowest bidder or offeror, who meets the contractual requirements, including the MBE requirements.

6) When a waiver is granted, a copy of Attachment F - MBE Waiver Documentation, accepted and signed by a school system representative and with the reasons for the determination, shall be forwarded to the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs and the Public School Construction Program within ten (10) days after approval of the contract award by the board of education.

Failure to submit the required documentation within the time frame specified may result in delayed approval of the award of contract by the IAC.

5. All Contracts Shall Include The Following:

a. “The contractor shall perform the contract in accordance with the representations made in Attachment A - Certified Minority Business Enterprise Utilization and Fair Solicitation Affidavit and Attachment B - MBE Participation Schedule, submitted as part of the bid or proposal”.

b. “Failure to perform the contract as specified and presented in the bid or proposal submission without prior written consent of the owner shall constitute a violation of a material term of the contract”.

1) The contractor shall structure his/her operations for the performance of the contract to attempt to achieve the MBE goals as stated in the solicitation document.

2) The contractor agrees to use his/her best efforts to carry out these requirements consistent with the efficient and effective performance of the contract.

3) The contractor must ensure that all certified MBEs shall have the maximum practical opportunity to compete for additional subcontract work under the contract, even after the award of the contract.

4) The contractor shall submit monthly to the MBE Liaison or the school system’s designated representative a report listing any unpaid invoices, over 30 days old, received from any certified MBE subcontractor, the amount of each invoice and the reason payment has not been made.

5) The contractor shall included in its agreements with its certified MBE subcontractors, a requirement that those subcontractors submit monthly to the MBE Liaison or appropriate representative a report that identifies the prime contract and lists all payments received from the contractor in the preceding 30 days, as well as any outstanding invoices, and the amount of those invoices.

6) The contractor shall cooperate in any reviews of the contractor’s procedures and practices with respect to minority business enterprises, which the MBE Liaison, the Public School Construction Program, and/or the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs may, from time to time, conduct.

7) The contractor shall maintain such records as are necessary to confirm compliance with its MBE participation obligations. These records must indicate the identity of certified minority and non-minority subcontractors employed on the contract, the type of work performed by each, and the actual dollar value of work performed. Subcontract agreements documenting the work performed by all MBE participants must be retained by the contractor and furnished to the MBE Liaison and or appropriate representative on request.

8) All records concerning MBE participation must be retained by the contractor for a period of five years after final completion of the contract, and will be available for inspection by the MBE Liaison, representatives from the Public School Construction Program and/or other designated official entities.

9) At the option of the MBE Liaison or appropriate agency representative, upon completion of the contract and before final payment and/or release of retainage, the contractor shall submit a final report in affidavit form and under penalty of perjury, of all payments made to, or withheld from MBE subcontractors.

10) If at any time after submission of a bid or proposal and before execution of a contract, the apparent successful bidder or offeror determines that a certified MBE listed on Attachment B - MBE Participation Schedule has become or will become unavailable, then the apparent successful bidder or offeror shall immediately notify the procurement officer and provide such officer with a reason(s) why the change has occurred. Any desired change in Attachment B - MBE Participation Schedule shall be approved in advance by the procurement officer and shall indicate the contractor’s efforts to substitute another certified MBE subcontractor to perform the work. Desired changes occurring after the date of contract execution may occur only upon written approval by the LEA.

11) A business that presents itself as a minority business may participate in a project but the contract value may not be counted toward the MBE goal or subgoals, if applicable, until the business is certified by MDOT. If it is not certified at the time of contract award it may not be counted toward the goal or subgoals, if applicable, at that time. Only the funds paid after MDOT certification can be counted toward meeting the MBE goal or subgoals, if applicable. If a certified MBE fails to meet the standards specified in State Finance and Procurement Article.14-301, Annotated Code of Maryland, the payments made to the MBE can be recorded and counted under a contract entered into when the MBE was eligible and certified. Ineligibility of an MBE to participate in the MBE program may not be the sole cause of the termination of the MBE contractual relationship for the remainder of the term of the contract.

12) Contractors are encouraged to seek additional MBE participation in their contracts during the life of the project. Any additional MBE participation from certified MBEs should be reported to the MBE liaison and should be included in subsequent monthly requisitions for payment.

13) The contractor shall complete the Standard Monthly Contractor’s Requisition for Payment (IAC/PSCP Form 306.4), specifically page 3 of 16, Minority Business Enterprise Participation, with each requisition submitted for payment. This submittal should accurately reflect the payments to be made that month to MBEs, and the cumulative total for the period specified. Any and all MBE firms that are identified on Attachment B – MBE Participation Schedule should be included on page 3 of the first and all subsequent requisitions for payment. Any MBEs identified during the life of the project should be added as soon as the contractor engages them.

14) At the completion of the project the contractor shall prepare a written summary of the final certified MBE participation in the contract as compared to the proposed participation at the time of contract award. This should include the name of each certified MBE, the amount that was anticipated to be paid at the time of contract award, the amount actually paid, and an explanation of any differences that have occurred. Special attention should be given to any situations where the final payments to any MBE was below the level of commitment at the time of contract award.

6. Projects Utilizing a Construction Manager Delivery Method

This section of the procedure has been prepared based upon the utilization of Construction Manager Agency method of delivery. If another alternative method of project delivery is being considered, then these procedures would need to be adapted in consultation with the PSCP before proceeding.

a. For projects that are being designed and solicited utilizing a Construction

Manager Agency delivery method with multiple prime contracts, the school system can structure its procedures to attain the overall MBE goal and subgoals, if applicable, for the project as presented below:

b. The MBE liaison and other school system staff should work with the project’s construction manager, cost estimator, and architect, along with any other individuals who could provide assistance, to determine the overall MBE utilization strategy for the work required, appropriate bid packages, and an appropriate overall MBE goal and subgoals, if applicable, for each specific bid or proposal package.

c. The overall MBE goal and subgoals, if applicable, for the project shall represent the aggregate of the individual goals and subgoals, if applicable, set for each bid or proposal package.

d. In setting the specific goals and subgoals, if applicable, for each solicitation package consideration should be given to the potential for MBE participation to the maximum extent possible. The information and procedures provided in section 4.0 MBE Goal Setting Procedures should be consulted and followed for these types of projects.

e. Prior to submitting the construction documents for State review and authorization to solicit bids or proposals, the school system’s representative will prepare a complete list of the individual solicitation packages and indicate the MBE goal and subgoals, if applicable, for each solicitation package. This would include the overall MBE goal and subgoals, if applicable, established in the solicitation documents, the estimated cost for each solicitation package, and the estimated MBE dollar amounts for each solicitation package. A copy of this list should be submitted with the construction documents. The list should be retained as a record by the school system for comparison to the actual contracts awarded with MBE participation, and the final actual MBE participation at the completion of the project.

f. Contractors submitting bids or proposals for solicitation packages that do not include a MBE goal and subgoals, if applicable, would not be required to submit any of the MBE attachments that are otherwise required nor would they be required to indicate that they are requesting a waiver. The school system representative would, however, request information from the contractor at the completion of the project to determine if any certified MBE firms had participated in the contract.

g. All other submittals of MBE materials and reporting requirements are applicable for the project, including the submittal of attachments a and b as described above in section 6.0. this includes the documentation for a request for a waiver, if applicable and appropriate.

6.0 RECORDS AND REPORTS

1. The MBE Liaison shall maintain such records as are necessary to confirm compliance with its Minority Business Enterprise Procedures and activities. The records shall be maintained until the project is audited by the Public School Construction Program. These records shall include by project:

a. The contractor report submitted at the completion of the project;

b. The identity of the minority contractors employed on the project;

c. The type of work performed;

d. The actual dollar value of the work, services, supplies or equipment; and

e. The MBE percentage of the total contract.

2. The MBE Liaison will maintain a record of all waivers approved for each project or solicitation package where the prime contractor was unable to achieve the established overall goal or subgoals, if applicable. The MBE Liaison will, however, report to the PSCP all MBE participation by MDOT certified firms who are prime contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, or otherwise making an economically viable contribution to each project. This information shall be reported to PSCP within ten

(10) days after approval of the award of the contract by the board of education.

3. The LEA shall submit the “Certified Minority Business Enterprise Participation Standard Monthly Contractor’s Requisition for Payment” (IAC/PSCP Form 306.4 page 3 of 16, located in the Administrative Procedures Guide), which is Attachment G in this procedure, to the PSCP Director of Fiscal Services as part of the regular monthly request for payment for the project.

4. The LEA shall submit the “Close-Out Cost Summary” (IAC/PSCP Form 306.6 located in the Administrative Procedures Guide), which is Attachment H of this procedure, along with the “Certified Minority Business Enterprise Participation Standard Monthly Contractor’s Requisition for Payment” (IAC/PSCP Form 306.4) to the PSCP Director of Fiscal Services within 180 days of completion of the project.

5. Each fiscal year end, PSCP Fiscal Services will create a report “Payments Made To

Contractors during The Fiscal Year” and maintain such records as are necessary to confirm compliance with its minority business enterprise procedures and activities.

6. Each fiscal year end, PSCP Fiscal Services will create a report “Projects Completed

During the Fiscal Year” and maintain such records as are necessary to confirm compliance with its Minority Business Enterprise Procedures and activities. This report will compare the overall MBE goal and subgoals, if applicable, for each specific project with the MBE participation anticipated at the time of contract award and the actual MBE participation at the completion of the project.

7.0 MONITORING

1. The LEA’s procurement personnel or project staff shall verify that the certified MBE’s listed in the MBE participation schedule are actually performing the work.

2. The LEA’s procurement personnel shall ensure that MBE subcontractors are receiving compensation as set forth in the MBE participation schedule by ensuring that the contractor submits monthly reports, listing any unpaid invoices over 30 days old received from any certified MBE subcontractor, the amount of each invoice, and the reason payment has not been made.

3. The MBE Liaison and/or the Public School Construction Program will conduct reviews as deemed necessary to confirm compliance with the minority business enterprise participation requirements.

4. The MBE Liaison will maintain appropriate records, and shall assist the Public School

Construction Program in on-site or post-audit reviews upon request.

5. Auditors from the Public School Construction Program will have access to and the ability to audit MBE participation for specific projects, information retained by the LEA, and/or submitted to the IAC in reports/forms filed by the LEA as referenced above.

8.0 Liquidated Damages – Minority Business Enterprise Program

This contract requires the contractor to make good faith efforts to comply with the Minority Business Enterprise (“MBE”) Program and contract provisions. The State and the Contractor acknowledge and agree that the State will incur damages, including but not limited to loss of goodwill, detrimental impact on economic development, and diversion of internal staff resources, if the Contractor does not make good faith efforts to comply with the requirements of the MBE Program and MBE contract provisions. The parties further acknowledge and agree that the damages the State might reasonably be anticipated to accrue as a result of such lack of compliance are difficult to ascertain with precision.

Therefore, upon a determination by the State that the Contractor failed to make good faith efforts to comply with one or more of the specified MBE Program requirements or contract provisions, the Contractor agrees to pay liquidated damages to the State at the rates set forth below. The Contractor expressly agrees that the State may withhold payment on any invoices as a set-off against liquidated damages owed. The Contractor further agrees that for each specified violation, the agreed upon liquidated damages are reasonably proximate to the loss the State is anticipated to incur as a result of such violation.

a. Failure to submit each monthly payment report in full compliance with COMAR 21.11.03.13B (3):

$225.00 per day until the monthly report is submitted as required.

b. Failure to include in its agreements with MBE subcontractors a provision requiring submission of payment reports in full compliance with COMAR 21.11.03.13B (4): $ 100.00 per MBE subcontractor.

c. Failure to comply with COMAR 21.11.03.12 in terminating, canceling, or changing the scope of work/value of a contract with an MBE subcontractor and/or amendment of the MBE participation schedule: the difference between the dollar value of the MBE participation commitment on the MBE participation schedule for that specific MBE firm and the dollar value of the work performed by that MBE firm for the contract.

d. Failure to meet the Contractor’s total MBE participation goal and sub goal commitments: the difference between the dollar value of the total MBE participation commitment on the MBE participation schedule and the MBE participation actually achieved.

e. Failure to promptly pay all…