DHHC_Shredding_Services__2026.docx

DHHC Shredding Services Solicitation #: BPM056896 IFB Document

STATE OF MARYLAND

MDH-DEER’S HEAD HOSPITAL CENTER

(DHHC)

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)

SHREDDING/DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION

IFB NUMBER BPM056896

ISSUE DATE: MAY 8, 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 PREFERENCE PROCUREMENT

This procurement has been designated for a small business preference under COMAR 21.11.01.05. The procurement agency will accept the most favorable responsive bid from a responsible small business (COMAR 21.01.02.01B(80)) if the bid of the small business does not exceed the most favorable responsive bid received from a responsible bidder who is not a small business by: (1) more than 5 percent; (2) more than 7% for a veteran-owned small business; (3) more than 8% for a disabled-veteran-owned small business; or (4) the percentage otherwise identified in the solicitation as the small business preference.

MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES ARE ENCOURAGED TO RESPOND TO THIS SOLICITATION.

KEY INFORMATION SUMMARY SHEET (KISS)

351 Deer’s Head Hospital Road, Salisbury, MD 21801

Email:

Phone Number:

Teresa.Nicholson@maryland.gov

(410) 543-4155

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).

351 Deer’s Head Hospital Road Salisbury, MD 21801

Table of Contents - IFB

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

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

A. The Bidder shall be licensed/certified to operate as a business providing shredding services in the State of Maryland. As proof of meeting this requirement, the Bidder shall provide a copy of its business registration along with its Bid.

B. The Bidder should provide certifications to show commitments to industry standards such as NAID AAA (i-SIGMA), or ISO 27001 (for example). This is to ensure they adhere to the rigorous set of criteria related to operational security, legal compliance, and employee background checks to perform the work as defined in the Scope of Work. NAID AAA is not legally required but preferred. If another certification is available to show a commitment to standards of excellence, then provide such certification. As proof of meeting this requirement, the Bidder should submit their Industry Certification or their internal Security Policies and Procedures that mirror the requirements verified by NAID audits such as Chain of Custody Proof, Destruction Level Verification, and Employee Protocols.

C. The Bidder shall have a minimum of three (3) years of experience providing shredding services as stated in this IFB. As proof of meeting this requirement, the Bidder shall provide with its Bid three (3) references from the past three (3) years able to attest to the Bidder’s experience in providing Shredding Services (see Exhibit L).

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 on-site shredding services, as specified in this Section 2, from a contract between the successful bidder and the State of Maryland (“State”): Deer’s Head Hospital Center (DHHC), located in Salisbury, Maryland. It is the State’s intention to obtain services as specified in this RFB from a Contract between the selected Bidder and the State. The anticipated duration of services to be provided under this Contract is for (5) five years with zero (0) option periods and not to exceed $50,000 for the duration of the contract. No minimum or maximum shredding weight is guaranteed or implied. The successful contractor shall perform the required services for Deer’s Head Hospital Center at 351 Deer’s Head Hospital Road, Salisbury, MD 21801.

A bid line has been established for On Call Allowance for Bulk Document Purge Events located at Deer’s Head Hospital Center. These on call bulk document purge events will be scheduled by the contract manager for Deer’s Head or their designee.

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 Deer’s Head Hospital Center (DHHC), located in Salisbury, Maryland, is an integral part of the health services system of the State of Maryland under the direction of the Maryland Department of Health.

Confidentiality of all information is required. The Contractor shall maintain confidentiality in accordance with best industry practices in compliance with federal and state laws, and in compliance with the National Association for Information Destruction requirements for Contractor certification. The Contractor's personnel designated to work with confidential records shall be required to sign a statement of confidentiality guaranteeing non-disclosure of information prior to performing any work described in this contract. The confidentiality statement shall be designed, implemented and maintained by the Contractor. If requested, the statement of confidentiality shall be made available for viewing by Deer’s Head Hospital Center. Therefore, the Contractor shall not inspect, view, peruse, copy, or examine any material or documents whether designated for shredding or disposal or not. In addition, the Contractor shall not otherwise disclose, release or communicate any information, including materials or documents to any third person, individual, organization or entity not employed or approved by Deer’s Head Hospital Center. Should any violation or breach of this provision occur, such shall constitute cause for immediate termination of the contract upon receipt of written notice of the violation or breach by the Contractor Services performed for Deer’s Head Hospital Center under this contract may not be subcontracted or assigned.

Requirements

A. Contractor is to provide supervised and uniform personnel, trained, licensed, and bonded to perform shredding services.

B. Staff shall always be uniformed in company attire and carry visible employee identification photos.

C. Documents must always be attended by a company employee or physically secured.

D. Contractor’s shredding equipment must have the capacity to handle the volume of material generated or produced through the course of government business and must safely and completely destroy all materials whether stapled, clipped, bound, etc.

E. Contractor’s shredding equipment must convert the material into small unreadable pieces which are mixed, compressed and secured until destroyed. A P4 shred level is required.

F. Contractor shall provide Deer’s Head Hospital Center staff member or designee with certificates of destruction (COD) upon completion.

G. Contractor will supply a Deer’s Head Hospital representative with a key and lock for locking all containers and consoles. If a key is lost, the Contractor will supply a new key at no additional charge to the agency.

H. Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining all containers and consoles in good working order, cleaning containers as necessary and providing replacement and/or additional containers and consoles as may be requested by Deer’s Head Hospital during the term of contract.

I. Contractor shall agree that Deer’s Head Hospital will not be responsible for any liability incurred by the Contractor or the Contractor's personnel arising out of the possession, use, maintenance, delivery, return, and/or collection from the containers and consoles provided by the Contractor.

J. Deer’s Head Hospital Center will authorize staff member(s) and/or designee(s) who will serve as witness to the on-site document destruction process.

Hardware Specifications

Pick up Frequency

A. Shredding services are to be scheduled on monthly basis at recurring established hours.

B. Contractor will reschedule onsite shredding to the next business day on Federal and State holidays.

Certificate of Destruction

The contractor shall provide a Certificate of Destruction (COD) each time shredding is performed.

The Certificate of Destruction (COD) must include:

A. Location of agency facility.

B. Date service provided.

C. Number of containers (for scheduled shredding).

D. Number of pounds (for bulk shredding).

E. Signature and title of Contractor employee performing services.

F. Name of the Deer’s Head State Hospital authorized/designee witness.

Supplemental Category of Work Requirements and Responsibilities Submittals with Bid:

Current Copy of Maryland Business License Proof of Workman’s Comp and Liability Insurance Current W9 Industry Certifications (if applicable)

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. Transitions 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 5th business day of the month following the end of the invoice period.

Labor Hour/Time Invoicing This section is inapplicable to this IFB.

Travel Reimbursement This section is inapplicable to this IFB.

Liquidated Damages MBE Liquidated Damages Inapplicable because there is no MBE goal for this IFB.

Liquidated Damages other than MBE This section is inapplicable to this IFB.

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 people 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.

Work Orders This section is inapplicable to this IFB.

Payments by Electronic Funds Transfer This section is 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 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 that 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 the Contract. For policies and procedures applying specifically to Conflict of Interests, the Contract is governed by COMAR 21.05.08.08.

Participation in Drafting of Specifications: Disqualifying Event: Bidders are advised that Md. Code Ann. State Finance and Procurement Article §13-212.1(a) provides generally that “an individual who assists an executive unit in the drafting of specifications, an invitation for bids, a request for proposals for a procurement, or the selection or award made in response to an invitation for bids or a request for proposals, or a person that employs the individual, may not: (1) submit a bid or proposal for that procurement; or (2) assist or represent another person, directly or indirectly, who is submitting a bid or proposal for that procurement.” Any Bidder submitting a Bid in violation of this provision shall be classified as “not responsible.”

Non-Disclosure Agreement This solicitation and any Contract(s) are subject to the terms of the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) contained in this solicitation as Attachment S. This Agreement must be provided within five (5) Business Days of notification of recommended award; however, to expedite processing, it is suggested that this document be completed and submitted with the Bid.

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 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.

1. Errors and Omissions/Professional Liability - One million dollars ($1,000,000) per combined single limit per claim and two million dollars ($2,000,000) annual aggregate.

1. Crime Insurance/Employee Theft Insurance - to cover employee theft with a minimum single loss limit of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per loss, and a minimum single loss retention not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), with the State of Maryland listed as a “loss payee.”

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.

The State shall be listed as an additional insured on the faces of the certificates associated with the coverage 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

A pre-bid conference will not be held for this solicitation.

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: 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.

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 to contain confidential and/or proprietary commercial information or trade secrets, and provide justification 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:

TABLE A - Attachments and Documents Required with the Bid

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

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.)

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.

(Each reference shall be from a customer for whom the Bidder has provided goods or services within the most recent past three 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 When a procurement under COMAR 21.05.02 has been designated for a small business preference, the procurement officer shall accept the most favorable responsive bid from a responsible small business if the bid does not exceed the most favorable responsive bid price received from a responsible bidder that is not certified as a small business by:

(a) More than 5 percent;

(b) More than 7 percent for a veteran-owned small business;

(c) More than 8 percent for a disabled-veteran-owned small business; or

(d) The predetermined percentage preference.

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 1 - 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-S.-Non-Disclosure-Agreement-Contractor.pdf

https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-T.-HIPAA-Business-Associate-Agreement.pdf

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 Exhibits The Appendices and Exhibits listed below in Table 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”.

Exhibits (Table D)

TABLE D - Exhibits

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