831287plumbMddot.pdf

SHA CHURCHVILLE PLUMBING SERVICES

Solicitation #: CHPLUMB29SB IFB Document

IFB for MDOT State Highway Administration - Churchville Page 1 of 20

STATE OF MARYLAND

STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

SHA

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)

SHA CHURCHVILLE SHOP PLUMBING SERVICES

IFB NUMBER CHPLUMB29SB

ISSUE DATE: 07/01/2026

A Prospective Bidder that has received this document from a source other than eMarylandMarketplace

Advantage (eMMA) https://procurement.maryland.gov should register on eMMA https://emma.maryland.gov/

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

SMALL BUSINESS RESERVE PROCUREMENT

This is a Small Business Reserve Procurement for which the award will be limited to certified small business vendors. Only businesses that meet the statutory requirements set forth in State Finance and

Procurement Article, §§14-501—14-505, Annotated Code of Maryland, and that are certified by the

Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs (GOSBA) Small Business Reserve

Program are eligible for award of a contract. Before awarding a contract under a procurement designated as a small business reserve procurement, the Procurement Officer shall verify that the apparent awardee is certified by the GOSBA as a small business through eMMA. However, if small businesses do not show interest in this solicitation, the Procurement Officer has the right to remove the SBR designation via an

Amendment on eMMA.

MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES ARE ENCOURAGED TO

RESPOND TO THIS SOLICITATION.

https://procurement.maryland.gov/ https://emma.maryland.gov/ https://gomdsmallbiz.maryland.gov/Pages/sbr-program.aspx https://gomdsmallbiz.maryland.gov/Pages/sbr-program.aspx

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KEY INFORMATION SUMMARY SHEET (KISS)

Invitation for Bids SHA Churchville Shop Plumbing Services, Commodities, Maintenance -

Solicitation

Number:

CHPLUMB29SB

IFB Issue Date: 07/01/2026

IFB Issuing

Office:

MDOT State Highway Administration

Procurement

Officer:

Anthony Sinclair

3050 Churchville Road, Churchville, Maryland 21028

Email:

Phone Number:

asinclair2@mdot.maryland.gov

410.838.7788

Bids are to be sent to:

Submit on emma.maryland.gov under Solicitation Number

CHPLUMB29SB

To submit a bid, bidders must first register on emma.maryland.gov. We recommend registering in advance to become acquainted with the site.

Pre-Bid

Conference:

N/A

Scheduled Site

Visit

Site Visit can be scheduled at the shop via Phone: 410-838-7788

Site Visit Location: 3050 Churchville Road, Churchville, Maryland 20128

Site visits please sign in at front counter.

To attend the site visit please contact the Procurement Officer via

Email no later than 07/14/26 at 10:00am.

Questions Due

Date and Time:

07/14/26 at 10:00am Local Time

Bid Due (Closing)

Date and Time:

07/21/26 at 10:00am Local Time

Public Bid

Opening Date, Time, and

Location

07/21/26 at 10:00am Local Time

All Bids will be Opened via EMMA

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MBE/DBE

Subcontracting

Goal:

An overall Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) or Disadvantaged

Business Enterprise (DBE) subcontract participation goal of zero percent of the total contract dollar amount, including all renewal option terms, if any, has been established for this procurement.

VSBE

Subcontracting

Goal:

This solicitation includes a VSBE participation Goal of zero percent.

Procurement

Method:

A Contract will be awarded in accordance with the Competitive Sealed

Bidding method under COMAR 21.05.02.

Multiple or

Alternate Bids:

Multiple or alternate Bids will not be accepted.

Contract Type: Fixed Price

Contract

Duration:

This contract will expire on August 07, 2028, or when funding is exhausted.

Primary Place of

Performance:

Insert Primary Place of Performance

3050 Churchville Road Churchville, Maryland 21028

SBR Designation: Yes

Federal Funding: No

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1 Minimum Qualifications

1.1 Bidder Minimum Qualifications

The Bidder must document in its Bid that it satisfies the following Minimum Qualifications:

1. The contractor shall have been established for a minimum of five (5) years and have available a minimum work force of two (2).

2. The owner(s)/principal(s) of the company shall maintain a current State of Maryland Plumbers License.

3. State of Maryland licensed commercial Journeyman Plumber with a minimum of five years commercial plumbing experience. Proof of contractor qualifications maybe requested at SRA's sole discretion.

4. Contractor shall employ a Plumber Helper to assist with various tasks.

5. The contractor shall submit three (3) references with the bid, the name, address, telephone number and point of contact of at least three firms, for which the bidder provided commercial PLUMBING services within the preceding 24 months.

References may be checked prior to award. Any negative responses received may result in disqualification of the bid.

6. Contractor must have insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 Liability.

Documentation to be provided to SHA Highway Administration prior to

"NOTICE TO PROCEED" award issued.

7. Contractor maybe required to do emergency repairs at times other than normal working hours. The contractor shall be available on a twenty-four (24) basis for such emergency work 365 days per year. The contractor shall supply a monitored twenty-four (24) hour a day phone numbers to contact for service.

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

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IFB for MDOT State Highway Administration - Churchville Page 6 of 20

2 Contractor Requirements: Scope of Work

2.1 Summary Statement

The State Highway Administration is soliciting bids for a qualified contractor to provide Plumbing Services at the Churchville Maintenance

Facility located at 3050 Churchville Road, Churchville, Maryland 21028, and satellite locations listed below throughout Harford County, Maryland.

Pricing is for both the preventative maintenance work, time, and material pricing for service repairs and emergency services as indicated on the attached bid sheet. The term of this contract is for two calendar years.

SATELLITE LOCATIONS:

BUSHE'S CORNER SALT

DOME

1 Rocks Road

Plyesville, Maryland 21050

ABERDEEN SALT DOME

900 S. Philadelphia

Blvd. Aberdeen, Maryland 21001

CONOWINGO SALT DOME

4724 Conowingo Road

Conowingo, Maryland 21034

FALLSTON SALT DOME

519 Fallston Road

Fallston, Maryland 21047

It is the State’s intention to obtain goods and services, as specified in this IFB, from a contract between the selected Bidder and the State.

2.1.1 This is a single award IFB. See IFB Section 4.21 Bid Evaluation Criteria and Award

Basis for more Contract award information.

A Contract award does not ensure a Contractor will receive all or any State business under the

Contract.

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2.2 Background and Purpose

[[Provide a description of the purpose of this solicitation, and any background information that may be helpful to vendors in preparing the responses. A brief summary of this section should be included in Section 2.1 of this solicitation.]]

This specification describes the requirements to provide licensed plumbing repairs, installation, maintenance, and remodeling services on an as-needed basis at the locations specified in the Invitation for Bid (IFB) for a period of

24 months or total payments of the amount awarded on the contract, whichever comes first. This proposal will establish hourly rates, and an estimated material needed. Quantities listed are estimated and are only given for the purpose of bid evaluation. They do not indicate the actual amount which will be spent, since such expenditure will depend upon requirements which develop during the contract period.

Plumbing services include, but are not limited to, the repairs and maintenance of all plumbing systems associated within office buildings, rest areas, or other

State-owned buildings and facilities. Plumbing services include, but are not limited to, emergency response, possible design, installation, maintenance, reconditioning, troubleshooting, or repair that may be required by the State

Highway Administration. The Contractor will be instructions/description.

In general, the work involved will include, but are not limited to, installation, repairs or modifications to water, sewer, drain lines, cleaning, and unstopping of drains, sewer lines from l" to 6". Installation, repairs, or modification on a variety of bathrooms, kitchens, including sinks, showers, toilets, urinals, hot water heaters, well pumps, holding tanks, dishwashers, and drains. Installation and repairs to gas pipes, pipe insulation, heat tape, and installation and testing of backflow preventers. This is not an all-inclusive list. Other types of repairs and services may be required.

The State Highway Administration is exempt from Maryland Sales and

Use Taxes by Exemption Certificate Number 3000256-3 and from federal Excise Taxes by Exemption Number 52-73-0358K. Do not include tax on any billing.

Record keeping is an essential element of the Contract. The Contractor shall maintain detailed service logs on the performance of the equipment at the site. Service logs shall include the date of inspections, name of the inspector, and a complete listing of all work performed and service furnished. Contractor shall update logs at the conclusion of each site visit and return logs to the SHA authorized representative.

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Location of work shall include, but not be limited to:

Churchville Maintenance Facility, 3050 Churchville Road, Churchville, MD 21028

Conowingo Salt Dome, 4724 Conowingo Road, Churchville, MD

21034

Bushes Corner Salt Dome, 1 Rocks Road, Pylesville, MD

21050

Aberdeen Salt Dome, 900 S. Philadelphia Blvd., Aberdeen, MD 2100 I

Fallston Salt Dome, 519 Fallston Road, Fallston, MD

21047

2.3 Contractor Responsibilities and Tasks

1. Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, miscellaneous parts, equipment, tools, transportation, and methods of communication for the work performed and as necessary to be performed under the contract.

2. Contractor shall provide qualified Lead Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, and Plumber Helper to perform various duties as directed by SHA authorized representative. The vendor shall provide "not to exceed" estimates on repair work. All work shall be approved by the SHA authorized representative prior to any work being performed. All work shall be performed according to the standards of the plumbing industry and to the complete satisfaction of the SHA. The contractor shall work until each job is completed, and when necessary, respond to multiple request for services at the same time. SHA can perform on-site inspections at any time during the work.

3. Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits before work is started and is also responsible for contacting, obtaining utility markings from Miss utility if applicable.

4. Contractor must meet all Federal EPA, OSHA, and MOE guidelines in the performance of work and proper hand) ing, disposal of waste along with contaminated materials. The SHA will not receive any materials, products, or chemicals which may be hazardous to an employee's health unless accompanied by a Material Safety Data Sheet when received.

5. Additional repairs and emergency service of all equipment shall be done

IFB for MDOT State Highway Administration - Churchville Page 9 of 20 on a time and material basis utilizing the hourly rates included in the contractor's proposal. On complicated work assignments, additional technicians or helpers may be used if pre-approved by the SHA authorized representative. The State reserves the right to require the vendor to have a helper or secondary individual on all assigned tasks.

6. This service work requires the contractor to be on twenty-four (24) hour call for emergency services.Response to calls for emergency service shall be within two (2) hours after the call was placed. Response to calls for routine repairs shall be within four (4) hours after the call is placed or when scheduled. Failure to respond within this time frame can result in termination of the contract. An emergency is defined as follows: Sudden occurrences that would impact employee safety or loss of water coming into the building. Except for emergency service, all work will be performed between the normal working hours of 7:30 am and 4:00 pm., Monday through Friday. No work will be performed on Saturdays, Sundays, or

Legal State Holidays without permission from the Administration.

Emergency repairs occurring outside our normal working hours shall be invoiced at one and a half times the hourly rates included in the contractor's proposal.

7. All work shall conform to all Federal, State, county, and local codes, rules, and regulations. The contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits before any work is started.

8. The contractor shall maintain a stocked service truck with materials, tools, ladders, lifts, and equipment, to provide plumbing services as described in the "scope of contracting services."

9. Contractor shall provide drain/sewer line cleaning service to be paid at the same hourly rate as an authorized service call.

10. All work performed under this contract shall be done in accordance with the Mary land Department of Transportation's State Highway

Administration's Specifications entitled, "Standard Specifications for

Construction and Material's dated July 2008 revisions thereof, or additions thereto Maryland Department of Transportation General

Conditions for Maintenance Contracts, and the Special Provisions included in this IFB. In case of discrepancy between the Special

Provisions and all other provisions contained in the contract, the

Engineer will be the sole authority as to the proper procedure to follow.

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11. A normal work crew will consist of (1) Journeyman, (1) Lead Plumber.

On complicated work assignments additional plumbers and or Plumber

Helper may be used if preapproved by SHA authorized representative. A licensed commercial Journeyman plumber shall always be required to be on site either performing or overseeing the work of a Plumber's Helper.

The state reserves the right to require the contractor to have a Helper or

Secondary individual on all assigned tasks.

12. The contractor maybe required to do emergency repairs at times other than normal working. The contractor must be available on a twenty-four

(24) hour basis for such emergency work 365 days per year. The contractor must supply a monitored twenty-four (24) hour a day phone numbers to contact for service.

13. Location of work shall include but not limited to Churchville

Maintenance Shop located at 3050 Churchville Road, Churchville, Maryland 21028, and other Churchville sites designated in Harford

County, Maryland.

2.4 Supplemental Category of Work Requirements and Responsibilities

No supplemental documents associated with this solicitation.

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3 Standard Terms and Conditions

3.1 Contract Initiation Requirements

Once all approvals have been obtained and the Contract is fully executed, the Procurement Officer may schedule a kickoff meeting to be held prior to commencement of Contract performance.

3.2 End of Contract Transition

The Contractor shall cooperate in the orderly transition of services from it to a subsequent contractor at the end of the contract term or upon receipt of a Notice of Termination from the State. Transition shall be provided in a prompt and timely manner and shall proceed in accordance with the schedule provided to the Contractor by the State in the Notice of Transition. Additional instructions regarding transition services may be provided in the event of a Notice of Termination issued by the State.

3.3 Invoicing

Submission of an invoice constitutes the Contractor’s verification that the information in the invoice is accurate as of the time of submission.

An invoice not satisfying the requirements of a Proper Invoice (as defined in COMAR 21.06.09) will not be processed for payment. To be considered a Proper Invoice, invoices must include the following information, without error:

A. Contractor name and address;

B. Remittance address;

C. Federal taxpayer identification (FEIN) number, social security number, as appropriate;

D. Invoice period (i.e. time period during which services covered by invoice were performed);

E. Invoice date;

F. Invoice number;

G. State assigned Contract number;

H. State assigned (Blanket) Purchase Order number(s);

I. Goods or services provided;

J. Amount due; and

K. Any additional documentation required by regulation or the Contract.

Invoices that contain both fixed price and labor hour or time and material items shall clearly identify each item as either fixed price, and labor hour, or time and material billing.

The State reserves the right to reduce or withhold Contract payment in the event the Contractor does not provide all required deliverables within the time frame specified in the Contract or otherwise breaches the terms and conditions of the Contract until such time as the Contractor brings itself into full compliance with the Contract.

The State is generally exempt from federal excise taxes, Maryland sales and use taxes, District of

Columbia sales taxes and transportation taxes. The Contractor, however, is not exempt from such sales and use taxes and may be liable for the same.

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Invoices for final payment shall be clearly marked as “FINAL” and submitted when all work requirements have been completed and no further charges are to be incurred under the Contract. In no event shall any invoice be submitted later than 60 calendar days from the Contract termination date.

3.3.1 Invoice Submission Schedule

The Contractor shall submit invoices in accordance with the following schedule:

A. For items of work for which there is one-time pricing (see Attachment B –The Price

Form), those items shall be billed in the month following the acceptance of the work by the State.

B. Invoices for work performed on a labor hour or time and materials basis shall be submitted on or before the 10th business day of the month following the end of the invoice period.

3.3.2 Travel Reimbursement

Travel will not be reimbursed under this IFB.

3.4 Liquidated Damages

3.4.1 Problem Escalation Procedure

No later than ten (10) Business Days after notice of recommended award or after the date of the

Notice to Proceed, whichever is earlier, the Contractor must provide, and thereafter, maintain a

Problem Escalation Procedure (PEP) for both routine and emergency situations. The PEP must state how the Contractor will address problem situations as they occur during the performance of the Contract, especially problems that are not resolved to the satisfaction of the State within appropriate timeframes and must include:

A. Contact information

B. The process for establishing the existence of a problem;

C. Names, titles, and contact information for progressively higher levels of personnel in the Contractor’s organization who would become involved in resolving a problem;

D. For each individual listed in the Contractor’s PEP, the maximum amount of time a problem will remain unresolved with that individual before the problem escalates to the next contact person listed in the Contractor’s PEP;

E. Expedited escalation procedures and any circumstances that would trigger expediting them;

F. The method of providing feedback on resolution progress, including the frequency of feedback to be provided to the State;

G. Contact information for persons responsible for resolving issues after normal business hours (e.g., evenings, weekends, holidays) and on an emergency basis; and

H. A process for updating and notifying the Contract Monitor of any changes to the PEP.

I. The PEP must be updated within ten (10) Business Days after any change in circumstance which changes the PEP but not less than annually within ten (10)

Business Days after the start of each Contract year .

Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any rights of the Contract Monitor or the

State which may be allowed by the Contract or applicable law.

3.5 Payments by Electronic Funds Transfer

By submitting a Bid in response to this solicitation, the Bidder, if selected for award:

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Agrees to accept payments by electronic funds transfer (EFT) unless the State Comptroller’s

Office grants an exemption. The successful Bidder shall register using the COT/GAD X-10

Vendor Electronic Funds (EFT) Registration Request Form.

Any request for exemption must be submitted to the State Comptroller’s Office for approval at the address specified on the COT/GAD X-10 form, must include the business identification information as stated on the form, and must include the reason for the exemption. The COT/GAD

X-10 form may be downloaded from the Comptroller’s website at:

http://comptroller.marylandtaxes.com/Vendor_Services/Accounting_Information/Static_Files/GA

DX10Form20150615.pdf.

3.6 Prompt Payment Policy

This procurement and the Contract(s) to be awarded pursuant to this solicitation are subject to the

Prompt Payment Policy Directive issued by the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women

Business Affairs (GOSBA) and dated August 1, 2008. Promulgated pursuant to Md. Code Ann., State Finance and Procurement Article, §§ 11-201, 13-205(a), and Title 14, Subtitle 3, and

COMAR 21.01.01.03 and 21.11.03.01, the Directive seeks to ensure the prompt payment of all subcontractors on non-construction procurement contracts. The Contractor shall comply with the prompt payment requirements outlined in the Contract; Section 31 “Prompt Pay Requirements”

Additional information is available on GOSBA’s website at:

http://www.gomdsmallbiz.maryland.gov/documents/legislation/promptpaymentfaqs.pdf.

3.7 Conflict of Interest Affidavit and Disclosure

The Bidder shall complete and sign the Conflict of Interest Affidavit and Disclosure (Attachment I) and submit it with its Bid. By submitting a Conflict of Interest Affidavit and Disclosure, the

Contractor shall be construed as certifying all Contractor Personnel and subcontractors are also without a conflict of interest as defined in COMAR 21.05.08.08A.

Additionally, a Contractor has an ongoing obligation to ensure that all Contractor Personnel are without conflicts of interest prior to providing services under the Contract. For policies and procedures applying specifically to Conflict of Interests, the Contract is governed by COMAR

21.05.08.08.

3.8 Maryland Healthy Working Families Act Requirements

On February 11, 2018, the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act went into effect. All Bidders should be aware of how this Act could affect your potential contract award with the State of

Maryland. See the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations website for Maryland

Healthy Working Families Act Information: https://dllr.state.md.us/paidleave/.

3.9 The State of Maryland’s Commitment to Purchasing Environmentally

Preferred Products and Services (EPPs)

Maryland’s State Finance & Procurement Article §14-410 defines environmentally preferable purchasing as “the procurement or acquisition of goods and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing goods or services that serve the same purpose.” Accordingly, Bidders are strongly encouraged to offer EPPs to fulfill this contract, to the greatest extent practicable.

https://dllr.state.md.us/paidleave/ https://trackbill.com/bill/maryland-house-bill-629-environmentally-preferable-procurement-maryland-green-purchasing-committee/647077/

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3.10 Insurance Requirements

The Contractor shall maintain, at a minimum, the insurance coverages outlined below, or any minimum requirements established by law if higher, for the duration of the Contract, including option periods, if exercised:

3.10.1 The following type(s) of insurance and minimum amount(s) of coverage are required:

A. Commercial General Liability - One million dollars ($1,000,000) combined single limit per occurrence for bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury and three million dollars ($3,000,000) annual aggregate. The minimum limits required herein may be satisfied through any combination of primary and umbrella/excess liability policies.

B. Worker’s Compensation - The Contractor shall maintain such insurance as necessary or as required under Workers’ Compensation Acts, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’

Compensation Act, and the Federal Employers’ Liability Act, to not be less than. one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence (unless a state’s law requires a greater amount of coverage). Coverage must be valid in all states where work is performed.

3.10.2 The State shall be listed as an additional insured on the faces of the certificates associated with the coverages listed above, including umbrella policies, excluding Workers’

Compensation Insurance and professional liability.

3.10.3 All insurance policies shall be endorsed to include a clause requiring the insurance carrier to provide the Procurement Officer, by certified mail, not less than 30 days’ advance notice of any non-renewal, cancellation, or expiration. The Contractor shall notify the

Procurement Officer in writing, if policies are canceled or not renewed within five (5) days of learning of such cancellation or nonrenewal. The Contractor shall provide evidence of replacement insurance coverage to the Procurement Officer at least 15 days prior to the expiration of the insurance policy then in effect.

3.10.4 Any insurance furnished as a condition of the Contract shall be issued by a company authorized to do business in the State.

3.10.5 The recommended awardee must provide current certificate(s) of insurance with the prescribed coverages, limits and requirements set forth in this section within five (5)

Business Days from notice of recommended award. During the period of performance for multi-year contracts, the Contractor shall provide certificates of insurance annually, or as otherwise directed by the Contract Monitor.

3.10.6 Subcontractor Insurance

The Contractor shall require any subcontractors to obtain and maintain comparable levels of coverage and shall provide the Contract Monitor with the same documentation as is required of the Contractor.

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4 Bid Submission Information and Instructions

4.1 eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) eMMA is the electronic commerce system for the State of Maryland. The IFB, Pre-Bid Conference

(Conference)summary and attendance sheet, Bidders’ questions and the Procurement Officer’s responses, addenda, and other solicitation-related information will be made available via eMMA.

To receive a contract award, a vendor must be registered on eMMA. Go to emma.maryland.gov, click on “New Vendor? Register Now” to begin the process, and then follow the prompts.

4.2 Electronic Means

The following transactions related to this procurement and any Contract awarded pursuant to it are not authorized to be conducted by electronic means; any transaction, submission, or communication where the Procurement Officer has specifically directed that a response from the Contractor or

Offeror be provided in writing or hard copy. Any e-mail transmission is only authorized to the email addresses for the identified person as provided in the solicitation, the Contract, or in the direction from the Procurement Officer or Contract Monitor.

4.3 Pre-Bid Conference

If a Conference will be held, the date, time, and location is indicated on the Key Information

Summary Sheet. Attendance at the Conference is not mandatory, but all interested parties are encouraged to attend to facilitate better preparation of their Bids.

To assure adequate accommodations at the Conference, please email the completed Attachment 2 for those expected to attend the Conference to the Procurement Officer no later than the time and date indicated on the Key Information Summary Sheet. In addition, if there is a need for sign language interpretation or other special accommodations due to a disability, please notify the Procurement

Officer at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Conference date. Reasonable efforts will be made to provide such special accommodation. If the Conference is in person, attendees should bring a copy of the solicitation and a business card to help facilitate the sign-in process.

4.4 Questions

All questions, including concerns, shall identify in the subject line the Solicitation Number and Title for this IFB and must be submitted in writing via e-mail or eMMA to the Procurement Officer no later than the date and time specified in the Key Information Summary Sheet. The Procurement

Officer, based on the availability of time to research and communicate an answer, shall decide whether an answer can be given before the Bid due date.

4.4.1 Answers to all questions that are not clearly specific only to the requestor will be distributed via the same mechanism as for IFB amendments and posted on eMMA.

4.4.2 The statements and interpretations contained in responses to any questions, whether responded to verbally or in writing, are not binding on the State unless it issues an amendment to the solicitation in writing.

4.5 Bid Due (Closing) Date and Time

Bids must be received by the Procurement Officer no later than the Bid due date and time indicated on the Key Information Summary Sheet to be considered. Except as provided in COMAR

21.05.02.10. Bids received after that date will not be considered. Requests for an extension of this date or time shall not be granted.

https://emma.maryland.gov/page.aspx/en/usr/login?ReturnUrl=%2fpage.aspx%2fen%2fbuy%2fhomepage

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Bids may be modified or withdrawn by written notice received by the Procurement Officer before the time and date set forth in the Key Information Summary Sheet for receipt of Bids.

4.6 Receipt, Opening and Recording of Bids

Upon receipt, each Bid and any timely modification(s) to a Bid shall be stored in a secure place until the time and date set for Bid opening. Before Bid opening, the State may not disclose the identity of any Bidder. Bids shall be opened publicly at the time, date and place designated in the Key

Information Summary Sheet. The name of each Bidder, the Total Bid Price, and such other information as is deemed appropriate shall be read aloud or otherwise made available and recorded at the time of Bid opening.

4.7 Duration of Bids

Bids submitted in response to this IFB are irrevocable for the latest of the following: 120 days following the Bid due date and time or the date any protest concerning this IFB is finally resolved.

This period may be extended at the Procurement Officer’s request only with the Bidder’s written agreement.

4.8 Revisions to the IFB

4.8.1 All revisions to the IFB before the due date for Bids will be published in an addendum to the IFB and posted on eMMA and reasonable effort will be made to provide such addenda to all prospective Bidders that were sent this IFB or are otherwise known by the

Procurement Officer to have obtained this IFB. It is the responsibility of all prospective

Bidders to check eMMA for any addenda issued prior to the submission of Bids.

4.8.2 Bidders shall acknowledge in the Bid the receipt of all addenda to this IFB issued before the Bid due date.

4.8.3 Failure to acknowledge receipt of an addendum does not relieve the Bidder from complying with the terms, additions, deletions, or corrections set forth in the addendum, and may cause the Bid to be deemed not responsive.

4.9 Cancellations

4.9.1 This IFB may be cancelled as provided in COMAR 21.06.02.02

4.9.2 The State reserves the right to cancel this IFB, accept or reject any and all Bids, in whole or in part, received in response to this IFB and to waive or permit the cure of minor irregularities.

4.9.3 In the event a government entity proposes and receives the recommendation for award, this procurement may be canceled, and the award processed in accordance with COMAR

21.01.03.01.A(4).

4.9.4 If the services that are the subject of the IFB are currently being provided under an interagency agreement with a public institution of higher education and the State determines that the services can be provided more cost effectively by the public institution of higher education, then the IFB may be canceled in accordance with Md.

Code Ann., State Finance and Procurement Art., § 3-207(b)(2).

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4.10 Incurred Expenses

The State will not be responsible for any costs incurred by any Bidder in preparing and submitting a

Bid or performing any other activities related to submitting a Bid in response to this solicitation.

4.11 Protest/Disputes

Any protest or claim related to this IFB or the Contract award hereunder shall be subject to the provisions of COMAR 21.10 (Administrative and Civil Remedies).

4.12 Bidder Responsibilities

4.12.1 A Bidder, either directly or through its subcontractor(s), must be able to provide all goods and services and meet all of the requirements requested in this solicitation and the successful Bidder (the Contractor) shall remain responsible for Contract performance regardless of subcontractor participation in the work.

4.12.2 If the Bidder is the subsidiary of another entity, all information submitted by the Bidder, including but not limited to references, financial reports, or experience and documentation (e.g., insurance policies, bonds, letters of credit) used to meet minimum qualifications, if any, shall pertain exclusively to the Bidder, unless the parent organization will guarantee the performance of the subsidiary. If applicable, the Bidder’s

Bid shall contain an explicit statement, signed by an authorized representative of the parent organization, stating that the parent organization will guarantee the performance of the subsidiary.

4.12.3 A parental guarantee of the performance of the Bidder under this section will not automatically result in crediting the Bidder with the experience or qualifications of the parent under any evaluation criteria pertaining to the actual Bidder’s experience and qualifications. Instead, the Bidder’s responsibility will be assessed to the extent to which the State determines that the experience and qualifications of the parent are applicable to and shared with the Bidder, any stated intent by the parent to be directly involved in the performance of the Contract, and the value of the parent’s participation as determined by the State.

4.13 Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

By submitting a Bid in response to this IFB, the Bidder, if selected for award, is deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions of this IFB and the Contract, attached hereto as Exhibit 2 –

Sample Contract. Any questions or exceptions to this IFB or the Contract must be submitted by the

“Questions Due Date and Time” prior to Bid submission. Changes to the solicitation, including the

Bid Form or Contract, made by the Bidder may result in Bid rejection.

4.14 Compliance with Laws/Arrearages

By submitting a Bid in response to this IFB, the Bidder, if selected for award, agrees that it will comply with all federal, State, and local laws applicable to its activities and obligations under the

Contract. By submitting a response to this solicitation, each Bidder represents that it is not in arrears in the payment of any obligations due and owing the State, including the payment of taxes and employee benefits, and shall not become so in arrears during the term of the Contract if selected for

Contract award.

IFB for MDOT State Highway Administration - Churchville Page 18 of 20

4.15 Verification of Registration and Tax Payment

Before a business entity can do business in the State, it must be registered with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). SDAT is located at State Office Building, Room 803, 301

West Preston Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. For registration information, visit https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/.

It is strongly recommended that any potential Bidder complete registration prior to the Bid due date and time. The Bidder’s failure to complete registration with SDAT may disqualify an otherwise responsive successful Bidder from final consideration and recommendation for Contract award.

4.16 False Statements

Bidders are advised that Md. Code Ann., State Finance and Procurement Article, § 11-205.1 provides as follows:

In connection with a procurement contract a person may not willfully:

A. Falsify, conceal, or suppress a material fact by any scheme or device;

B. Make a false or fraudulent statement or representation of a material fact; or

C. Use a false writing or document that contains a false or fraudulent statement or entry of a material fact.

A person may not aid or conspire with another person to commit an act under this section. A person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or imprisonment not exceeding five (5) years or both.

4.17 Confidentiality of Bids / Public Information Act Notice

The Bidder should give specific attention to the clear identification of those portions of its Bid that it considers to contain confidential and/or proprietary commercial information or trade secrets, and provide justification for why such materials, upon request, should not be disclosed by the State under the Public Information Act, Md. Code Ann., General Provisions Article, Title 4. This information should be identified by page number and placed in the Transmittal Letter with the Bid.

For requests for information made under the PIA, the Procurement Officer shall examine the Bids to determine the validity of any requests for nondisclosure. Nondisclosure is permissible only if approved by the Office of the Attorney General.

4.18 Use of Bidder’s Form Not Binding on State

The Bidder may not substitute, modify, or provide any other document in lieu of the documents provided with this Bid. Only those forms and documents provided with this solicitation and by the

Procurement Officer will be considered acceptable as bid submission.

4.19 Attachments and Documents Required with the Bid (Table A)

A Bidder shall include the following Attachments with its Bid as a single Bid Package:

https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/

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TABLE A - Attachments and Documents Required with the Bid

Attachment Attachment Name

A

Bid/Proposal Affidavit

A Bid submitted by the Bidder must be accompanied by a completed Bid/Proposal

Affidavit.

https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-A.-Bid-Proposal-Affidavit.pdf

B

The Price Form (as specified within eMMA)

Do not alter this Price Form or the Bid may be determined to be not responsive.

The Price Form must be signed and dated, where requested, by an individual who is authorized to bind the Bidder to the prices entered on the Bid Form.

(See Appendix 2 for specific Price Form Instructions.)

C

Conflict of Interest Affidavit and Disclosure https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-I.-Conflict-of-Interest-Affidavit.pdf

Note: If this solicitation will result in the “selection of a contractor who will assist a unit in the formation, evaluation, selection, award, or execution of another State contract” the Bidder shall provide this Affidavit and other times as requested by the Procurement Officer.

D

Mercury Affidavit https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-J.-Mercury-Affidavit.pdf

E

Reference Checks

(Each reference shall be from a customer for whom the Bidder has provided goods or services within the most recent past five years) https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-L.-Reference-Checks.pdf

Additional Required Documents with the Bid

Minimum Qualifications Documentation. The Bidder shall submit any Minimum Qualifications documentation that may be required, as set forth in IFB Section 1. If references are required in IFB

Section 1, those references shall be included in Attachment E. Reference Checks.

Acknowledgement of all addenda to this IFB.

4.20 Bid Delivery Instructions

Each Bidder shall submit its Bid Package as specified below.

https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-A.-Bid-Proposal-Affidavit.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-A.-Bid-Proposal-Affidavit.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-I.-Conflict-of-Interest-Affidavit.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-I.-Conflict-of-Interest-Affidavit.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-J.-Mercury-Affidavit.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-J.-Mercury-Affidavit.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-L.-Reference-Checks.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-L.-Reference-Checks.pdf

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Bids shall only be accepted via the State’s internet-based electronic procurement system, eMMA.

Bidders shall provide their Bids in one submission through eMMA following the Quick Reference

Guides (QRG) labeled “4 - eMMA QRG Responding to Solicitations (IFB)” for single envelope submissions.

4.21 Bid Evaluation Criteria and Award Basis

The Bids will be evaluated based on the Total Bid Price, as per COMAR 21.05.02.13. All Bids will be ranked from the lowest (most favorable) to the highest (least favorable) price based on the Total

Bid Price as submitted in its Bid. A Contract shall be awarded to the responsible Bidder(s) submitting a responsive Bid with the most favorable Bid Price or most favorable evaluated Bid Price for providing the goods and services as specified in this IFB. The award for this solicitation will be made to the responsive and responsible Vendor with the lowest price, as determined by the Procurement

Officer to be in the best interests of the State of Maryland.

Vendor shall submit a bid price based on product description (specification) and unit of measure specified on each line. Award of this contract will not be final and complete until after: (1) the

Contractor submits complete and satisfactory documentation required under the Contract and/or documentation required by the Procurement Officer; and (2) the Contract is signed by the State

Highway Administration following any approvals of the Contract required by law or regulation.

4.22 Tie Bids

Tie Bids will be decided pursuant to COMAR 21.05.02.14.

4.23 Reciprocal Preference

Although Maryland law does not authorize procuring agencies to favor resident Bidders in awarding procurement contracts, many other states do grant their resident businesses preferences over Maryland contractors. COMAR 21.05.01.04 permits procuring agencies to apply a reciprocal preference under the following conditions:

A. The Maryland resident business is a responsible Bidder;

B. The lowest responsive Bid is from a responsible Bidder whose principal office, or principal base of operations, is in another state;

C. The other state gives a preference to its resident businesses through law, policy, or practice; and

D. The preference does not conflict with a federal law or grant affecting the procurement

Contract.

The preference given shall be identical to the preference that the other state, through law, policy, or practice gives to its resident businesses.

https://procurement.maryland.gov/emma-qrgs/ https://procurement.maryland.gov/emma-qrgs/