D1LIFT28R IFB - Automotive lift inspections and repairs.docx

Lift Inspections & Maintenance & Repairs in District 1 Solicitation #: D1LIFT28R IFB Document

STATE OF MARYLAND

STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

(SHA)

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)

AUTOMOTIVE LIFT INSPECTIONS, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICES

IFB NUMBER D1LIFT28R

ISSUE DATE: FEBRUARY 26, 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/

MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES ARE ENCOURAGED TO RESPOND TO THIS SOLICITATION.

KEY INFORMATION SUMMARY SHEET (KISS)

660 West Road, Salisbury MD 21801

Email:

Phone Number:

gnorfolk@mdot.maryland.gov 410-677-4011

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

Bidders are reminded that a completed Feedback Form is requested if a no-bid decision is made (see Attachment 1 - No Bid Notice/Vendor Feedback Form).

660 West Road, Salisbury MD 21801

_____% for African-American MBEs;

_____% for Asian-American MBEs;

_____% for Hispanic-American MBEs; and _____% for Woman-Owned MBEs.

N/A

N/A

Approximate NTP beginning of April 2026.

Table of Contents - IFB

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

A. The Bidder shall have a minimum of 5 years’ work experience in the commercial automotive lift installation and repair business.

B. Vendor shall have a staff comprised of at least 1 qualified technician who is fully trained and certified in the inspection criteria and to service all types of MDOT SHA equipment lifts in accordance with the manufacture’s specification and in compliance with applicable MOSH and OSHA requirements.

C. Any vendor technicians working on this equipment shall be technicians well trained in the industry standards and best practices.

D. Vendor must have thorough knowledge of the ALI-“Lifting It Right” safety manual and ANSI/ALI ALOIM "Standard for Automotive Lifts – Safety Requirements for Operation, Inspection and Maintenance”.

E. The Bidder shall be registered with SDAT to conduct business in the State of Maryland.

F. Operator must have a valid CDL License in the State of Maryland, if applicable.

G. The bidder shall have their own employees, equipment, and registered vehicles to be able to complete the project.

H. The Bidder shall provide with its Bid "Attachment L Reference Checks" with one or more references filled out.

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

Contractor Requirements: Scope of Work Summary Statement This Invitation for Bids (IFB) is issued to procure the goods or services, as specified in this Section 2, from a contract between the successful bidder(s) and the State of Maryland (“State”): to provide as-needed automotive lift inspections and maintenance and equipment repair services at the district 1 maintenance Shops (Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester Counties).

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.

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.

Background and Purpose State Highway Administration is soliciting bids for a contractor to provide lift inspections and equipment maintenance and repair services to keep equipment in good working conditions within the district 1 shops.

Project Goals Supply labor and equipment necessary to perform lift inspections and automotive equipment maintenance and repair services at various shops in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties.

State Staff and Roles In addition to the Procurement Officer and Contract Manager the State may appoint other staff to inspect the work over the duration of the contract Contractor Responsibilities and Tasks The general purpose of this solicitation will be to provide lift inspections and maintenance and repair services to keep the equipment safe and available for use by the shop personnel.

All work on this project shall conform to the Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration's Specifications entitled, "Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials" dated July 2022 revisions thereof or additions thereto; and the Special Provisions included in this Invitation for Bids.

SCOPE OF WORK

MDOT State Highway Administration is accepting bids to provide automotive lift inspections and maintenance and equipment repairs 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 not to exceed the successful bid amount, whichever comes first. This proposal will establish hourly rates, trip fees and material mark-up percentages. 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 actual requirements which develop during the contract period.

This is a non-exclusive Contract. It does not include all work expected to be performed in the designated areas. Therefore, at times, other Contractors may be performing similar work that is not associated with this Contract.

SERVICE REQUIREMENTS:

Bid Item 1) Inspection:

Vendor shall provide as-needed inspection services at SHA shops in the 4 counties within District 1. Vendor shall perform all inspection work in accordance with MOSH, OSHA, ANSI/ALI standards and regulations. Vendor shall follow ANSI/ALI ALOIM-(current) - "Standard for Automotive Lifts – Safety Requirements for Operation, Inspection and Maintenance". Vendor should follow any manufacturer’s recommended inspection or routine maintenance procedures, when applicable. Vendor shall maintain records on inspection services to all SHA lift equipment. Vendor should bid and invoice this work as a cost per hour for a qualified lift inspector. All costs should be included in this hourly rate, including overhead, supplies, profit, and any other costs associated with performing this work. Upon completion of each inspection, vendor shall remit an inspection sheet for each lift which shows each line item inspected, the current date, and it should be signed by a qualified technician. Any items that do not meet standards or fail inspections shall be noted on the sheet and discussed with the SHA Shop Chief or manager on duty before vendor leaves the shop. The inspection sheet should clearly identify the vendor by providing their company name, address, phone number, fax number. Each shop should be billed for its own separate invoice for this work, and the invoice should be a separate document from the inspection sheet. This contract may exclude any new lifts that are installed in the shops after the award of this contract, depending on warranties with the installer or manufacturer. SHA has the option to utilize the contract awarded from this solicitation to inspect those lifts, if needed. Hourly rates are for time spent on site inspecting the lifts, producing the lift checklist or inspection sheet, and reviewing with the SHA shop manager. No idle or travel time may be invoiced. Hourly rates are to be fully inclusive of all costs and fees associated with labor (such as labor cost, overhead, taxes, profit, etc.), no additional fees or surcharges will be allowed. Vendor shall have a truck or van stocked with the typical tools and supplies needed to perform this work.

C. MAKE AND MODEL OF CURRENT VEHICLE LIFTS *subject to change:

Cambridge Shop 2954 Old Route 50 Cambridge MD 21613 Rotary Lift Model # 75130F2TS-5 Cap LBS 75000 Serial # PLM15G0001

Rotary Lift Model# EFX60D022CX Cap LBS 60000 Serial # XS215600001

Princess Anne Shop 10980 Market Lane Princess Anne MD 21853 75,000 LBS OMER parallelogram Model Vega 340/75 CB 30 FM Serial # 50700052005

Salisbury Shop 660 West Road Bldg B Salisbury MD 21801 Mohawk TP-15 twin post lift

Omar Vega 340/75 75000 LBS parallelogram

Snow Hill Shop 5603 Market Street Snow Hill MD 21863 OMER Stretic-Kori Vega 340/75 CB 30 FM Serial # 5071000521001

Mohawk Resources 16,000 LBS Model TP-16 Serial A6N119 Inspector shall (where needed and applicable):

1. Inspect all hydraulic components for leaks, deformation, wear or corrosion.

2. Tighten all fasteners, screws and hydraulic fittings as required. Recommend replacement of parts if needed.

3. Check all wire connections. Make sure wires are connected properly.

4. Check fluid levels. If it is dirty, replace with clean fluid.

5. Inspect for cracks in the lock mechanism, and on other parts of the lift.

6. Check for rust on parts, recommend repair if needed.

7. Service hydraulic filters and hydraulic oil as recommended by the manufacturer.

8. Inspect air filters, lines, and valves. Repair and/or replace components to meet manufacturer recommendations as required.

9. Inspect all lift cylinders and related equipment for wear, leaks, and/or damage.

10. Inspect and service the entire complete air intake and exhaust venting systems.

11. Vendor shall provide necessary lockout / tag outs of energy sources before beginning any lift repairs.

12. All other manufacturers’ recommended items not listed above (depending on lift unit).

13. Operating manuals, safety warning labels and the rated load capacity decal are accessible to lift operators.

14. There is adequate clearance around the lift.

15. Any signs of fatigue, overloading, excessive wear, misuse, or abuse of all accessible structural components are reported.

16. All components are set to the proper tolerances.

17. All safety systems are present and working properly.

18. Anchor bolts are tight and there are no cracks in the floor.

19. Power unit fluid is not contaminated.

20. Arms and adapters move freely and operate smoothly (if applicable).

21. Lubricate all moving parts as recommended by manufacturer.

22. The lift rises and retracts fully at normal speed with no unusual noises.

23. Check any other inspection point that would deem the lift to be unsafe or become inoperable, per the manufacturer’s instructions or generally accepted inspection criteria.

Bid item 2) Trip Charges for Inspections/Repairs:

Vendor shall bid a trip charge from their base business location to any one shop within District 1. (includes return trip) Only one base charge to be invoiced per day total. Time spent traveling may not be billed, as the trip charge shall cover all costs involved in responding to the SHA facilities.

Bid Item 3) Technician for repairs/preventative maintenance Vendor shall provide as-needed maintenance and repair services at SHA shops in the 4 counties within District 1. Vendor shall perform all maintenance and/or repair work in accordance with MOSH, OSHA, ANSI/ALI standards and regulations. Vendor shall follow ANSI/ALI ALOIM-(current) - "Standard for Automotive Lifts – Safety Requirements for Operation, Inspection and Maintenance". Vendor should follow any manufacturer’s recommended routine maintenance procedures, when applicable. Vendor shall maintain records on service and repairs to all SHA lift equipment. Vendor should bid and invoice this work as a cost per hour for a qualified technician. All costs should be included in this hourly rate, including overhead, supplies, profit, and any other costs associated with performing this work. Upon completion of each repair service, vendor shall submit a repair ticket for each lift which shows each line item inspected, the current date, and it should be signed by a qualified technician. Any items that do not meet standards or fail the repairs shall be noted on the sheet and discussed with the SHA Shop Chief or manager on duty before vendor leaves the shop. The repair ticket should clearly identify the vendor by providing their company name, address, phone number, fax number. Each shop should be billed for its own separate invoice for this work, and the invoice should be a separate document from the repair ticket. This contract may exclude any new lifts that are installed in the shops after the award of this contract, depending on warranties with the installer or manufacturer. SHA has the option to utilize the contract awarded from this solicitation to repair the lifts, if and when needed. Hourly rates are for time spent on site repairing the lifts, producing the repair checklist or repair ticket, and reviewing with the SHA shop manager. No idle or travel time may be invoiced. Hourly rates are to be fully inclusive of all costs and fees associated with labor (such as labor cost, overhead, taxes, profit, etc.), no additional fees or surcharges will be allowed. Vendor shall have a truck or van stocked with the typical tools and supplies needed to perform this work.

Bid item 4) Emergency Call out Emergency Call Rate is for service response to any shop within 24 hours of being notified of the emergency repair.

Bid item 5) Parts and materials

Vendor shall bid a markup % for parts cost, the highest amount allowed for markup is 10% above contractors cost.

Minor Repairs (less than $2,000) (time and material based):

· Vendor shall respond to calls for repair within seven (7) working days. Vendor to provide a not-to-exceed quotation after the initial assessment on each repair.

· Vendor may charge a trip charge to respond for repair requests for quotation. This quotation should include all part costs and labor hours estimated. If the cost for a repair exceeds $2,000, MDOT SHA has the option of obtaining additional bids to accomplish this work.

· Vendor shall follow ANSI/ALI ALOIM-(current) - "Standard for Automotive Lifts – Safety Requirements for Operation, Inspection and Maintenance". All work shall be done in a professional manner using the best techniques of trade and manufacturer of the lift.

· All work is to be done in compliance with Maryland law, federal law, and regulations.

· Vendor is to supply their own tools, supplies, transportation, labor, expertise, protective equipment and all other needed items for the completion of this work. Invoices must be sent to the district 1 office address listed below. Vendor shall provide necessary lockout / tag outs of energy sources before beginning any lift repairs. Repairs may not alter or modify the operations of the lift in any manner.

· This contract may be used to service any lift or peripheral automotive shop related tool/equipment such as air compressors, tire equipment, etc. if the vendor performs those types of peripheral repairs. Same repair rate will apply.

Notes:

· Major Repairs – MDOT SHA may determine to utilize this contract for repairs exceeding $2,000. Vendor shall supply the same rates indicated on the bid form for all repairs.

· Vendor will be required to make all repairs in accordance with industry best practices and techniques. Vendor must re-work any repairs that are determined to have faulty workmanship, at no cost to SHA.

· All parts replaced are to carry any warranty offered by the manufacturer, if applicable.

No sub-contractors shall be permitted to work under this contract without the consent of MDOT SHA Contract Manager

RESPONSE TIME

The Contractor shall furnish to the Engineer the names, addresses and phone numbers of at least one individual in the firm who can be contacted by the Engineer at any time.

The Contractor shall respond as quickly as possible at the request of the Engineer. The Contractor, if contacted by the MDOT SHA engineer, shall be able to respond for work at the normal starting time of 7:30 am for routine work within 5 working days of notice.

All work shall be completed Monday through Friday between 7:30 am and 5:00 pm, except for State of Federal holidays.

Supplemental Category of Work Requirements and Responsibilities

Not applicable to this IFB.

Standard Terms and Conditions 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

A. 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 Labor Hour/Time and Materials Invoicing All labor hour/time and material invoices shall be accompanied by a job ticket signed by the Contract Manager or Inspector as notice of acceptance issued by the State. Include for each person covered by the invoice the following, individually listed per person: name, hours worked, hourly labor rate on the invoice.

3.3.3. Travel Reimbursement

Travel will not be reimbursed under this IFB.

Liquidated Damages

THIS SECTION IN INAPPLICABLE TO THIS IFB.

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” (see Exhibit 2 - Sample Contract). Additional information is available on GOSBA’s website at: http://www.gomdsmallbiz.maryland.gov/documents/legislation/promptpaymentfaqs.pdf.

Federal Funding Acknowledgement This Contract does not contain federal funds.

Conflict of Interest Affidavit and Disclosure

THIS SECTION IS INAPPLICABLE TO THIS IFB.

Non-Disclosure Agreement Non-Disclosure Agreement (Bidder/Offeror) A Non-Disclosure Agreement (Bidder/Offeror) is not required for this procurement.

Non-Disclosure Agreement (Contractor) A Non-Disclosure Agreement (Contractor) is not required for this procurement.

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/.

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.

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:

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

1. 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 two million dollars ($2,000,000) annual aggregate. The minimum limits required herein may be satisfied through any combination of primary and umbrella/excess liability policies.

1. 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.

1. Automobile or Commercial Truck Insurance - The Contractor shall maintain Automobile or Commercial Truck Insurance (including owned, leased, hired, and non-owned vehicles) as appropriate with Liability, Collision, and PIP limits no less than those required by the State where the vehicle(s) is registered, but in no case less than those required by the State of Maryland.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

Bid Submission Information and Instructions 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. Registration is free. Go to emma.maryland.gov, click on “New Vendor? Register Now” to begin the process, and then follow the prompts.

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:

A. Submission of Bond documents determined by the State to require original signatures; or B. 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.

“Electronic means” refers to exchanges or communications using electronic, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or other means of electronically conducting transactions. Electronic means includes e-mail, internet-based communications, electronic funds transfer, specific electronic bidding platforms (e.g., https://procurement.maryland.gov), and electronic data interchange.

Pre-Bid Conference

THIS SECTION IS INAPPLCIATION TO THE IFB.

Questions All questions, including concerns regarding any applicable MBE or VSBE participation goals, 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.

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.

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.

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.

For Bids accepted via email, the time stamp to indicate receipt of the Bid by the State, is the posted date and time in the Procurement Officer’s email inbox.

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.

Potential Bidders not responding to this solicitation are requested to submit the “No Bid/Proposal Notice/Vendor Feedback” form Attachment 1, which includes company information and the reason for not responding (e.g., too busy, cannot meet mandatory requirements).

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.

Duration of Bids Bids submitted in response to this IFB are irrevocable for the latest of the following: 90 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.

Revisions to the IFB 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.

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

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.

Cancellations This IFB may be cancelled as provided in COMAR 21.06.02.02 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.

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).

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).

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.

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).

Bidder Responsibilities 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 containing 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.

The Bids shall be tabulated or a Bid abstract made. The opened Bids shall be available for public inspection at a reasonable time after Bid opening, but in any case, before contract award, except to the extent the Bidder designates trade secrets or other proprietary data to be confidential as set forth in this solicitation. Material designated as confidential shall accompany the Bid and shall be readily separable from the Bid to facilitate public inspection of the non-confidential portion of the Bid, including the Total Bid Price.

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.

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.

Attachments and Documents Required with the Bid (Table A) A Bidder shall include the following Attachments with its Bid as a single Bid Package:

Attachments A through C= Bid will be rejected if the required Attachment is not submitted or is incomplete.

Attachments D through R = Bid may be rejected if the required Attachment is not submitted or is incomplete.

TABLE A - Attachments and Documents Required with the Bid

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.)

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

https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-F.-Bidder-Offeror-Information-Sheet.pdf

(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 L. Reference Checks.

Acknowledgement of all addenda to this IFB.

Bid Delivery Instructions Each Bidder shall submit its Bid Package as specified below.

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.

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.

Tie Bids Tie Bids will be decided pursuant to COMAR 21.05.02.14.

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.

Small Business Preference

NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS IFB.

Documents Required upon Notice of Recommendation for Contract Award (Table B) Upon receipt of a notification of recommendation for contract award, along with submitting the signed Contract (see Exhibit 2 - Sample Contract), the following documents shall be completed and submitted by the recommended awardee within ten (10) business days, unless otherwise directed by the Procurement Officer.

Click the link to download each required Attachment in the Table B below:

TABLE B - Documents Required upon Notice of Recommendation for Contract Award

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

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

IFB Appendices and Exhibits The Appendices and Exhibits listed below in Tables C and D are reference documents as needed to assist the bidders in preparing their bids in response to this solicitation. If a specific Appendix or Exhibit is not required for this solicitation, it is listed in the tables as “Not applicable” or “N/A”.

Appendices (Table C)

TABLE C - APPENDICES

5.2 EXHIBITS (TABLE D)

TABLE D - Exhibits

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