MDH - IFB - BPM053608 - Maryland WIC Investigative Research Subscription.pdf

Maryland WIC Investigative Research Subscription

Solicitation #: BPM053608 IFB Document

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 1 of 28

STATE OF MARYLAND

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(MDH)

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)

MARYLAND WIC

INVESTIGATIVE RESEARCH SUBSCRIPTION

IFB NUMBER: BPM053608

ISSUE DATE: OCTOBER 14, 2025

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

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.

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

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 2 of 28

KEY INFORMATION SUMMARY SHEET (KISS)

Invitation for Bids Services – Maryland WIC Investigative Research Subscription

Solicitation

Number:

BPM053608

IFB Issue Date: October 14, 2025

IFB Issuing

Office:

Maryland Department of Health (MDH)

Office of Maryland WIC Program

Procurement

Officer:

Heather Thomas

Maryland WIC Program

201 W. Preston Street, Room 104D

Baltimore, MD 21201

Email:

Phone Number:

Heather.Thomas2@maryland.gov

(410) 767-4462

Bids are to be sent to:

Submit on emma.maryland.gov under Solicitation Number BPM053608

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

No Bid Notice

Feedback Form

If you are not submitting a bid for this solicitation, submit Attachment 1 with your reasons why.

Pre-Bid

Conference:

N/A

Questions Due

Date and Time:

November 7, 2025, at 2:00 PM Local Time

Bid Due (Closing)

Date and Time:

November 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM Local Time

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).

Public Bid

Opening Date, Time, and

Location

N/A mailto:Heather.Thomas2@maryland.gov

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 3 of 28

MBE or DBE

Subcontracting

Goal:

An overall Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) or Disadvantaged

Business Enterprise (DBE) subcontract participation goal of 0 percent of the total contract dollar amount, including all renewal option terms, if any, has been established for this procurement. The overall MBE or DBE subcontract participation goal includes the following subgoals, which have been established for this procurement:

0% for African-American MBEs;

0% for Asian-American MBEs;

0% for Hispanic-American MBEs; and

0% for Woman-Owned MBEs.

VSBE

Subcontracting

Goal:

This solicitation includes a VSBE participation Goal of 0%

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: Firm Fixed Price

Contract

Duration:

Five (5) year base period of performance.

04/01/2026 – 03/31/2031

Primary Place of

Performance:

As Proposed by Bidder

SBR Designation: No

Federal Funding: Yes

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 4 of 28

Table of Contents - IFB

1 Minimum Qualifications

1.1 Bidder Minimum Qualifications

2 Contractor Requirements: Scope of Work

2.1 Summary Statement

2.2 Background and Purpose

2.2.1 Project Goals

2.2.2 State Staff and Roles

2.3 Contractor Responsibilities and Tasks

2.4 Supplemental Category of Work Requirements and Responsibilities

3 Standard Terms and Conditions

3.1 Contract Initiation Requirements

3.2 End of Contract Transition

3.3 Invoicing

3.3.1 Invoice Submission Schedule

3.3.2 Deliverable Invoicing

3.3.3 Labor Hour/Time and Materials Invoicing

3.3.4 Travel Reimbursement

3.4 Liquidated Damages

3.4.1 MBE Liquidated Damages

3.4.2 Liquidated Damages other than MBE

3.4.3 Problem Escalation Procedure

3.5 Work Orders

3.6 Payments by Electronic Funds Transfer

3.7 Prompt Payment Policy

3.8 Federal Funding Acknowledgement

3.9 Conflict of Interest Affidavit and Disclosure

3.10 Non-Disclosure Agreement

3.10.1 Non-Disclosure Agreement (Bidder/Offeror)

3.10.2 Non-Disclosure Agreement (Contractor)

3.11 Maryland Healthy Working Families Act Requirements

3.12 The State of Maryland’s Commitment to Purchasing Environmentally Preferred Products and

Services (EPPs)

3.13 Insurance Requirements

4 Bid Submission Information and Instructions

4.1 eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA)

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 5 of 28

4.2 Electronic Means

4.3 Pre-Bid Conference

4.4 Questions

4.5 Bid Due (Closing) Date and Time

4.6 Economy of Preparation

4.7 Receipt, Opening and Recording of Bids

4.8 Oral Presentation

4.9 Duration of Bids

4.10 Revisions to the IFB

4.11 Cancellations

4.12 Incurred Expenses

4.13 Protest/Disputes

4.14 Bidder Responsibilities

4.15 Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

4.16 Compliance with Laws/Arrearages

4.17 Verification of Registration and Tax Payment

4.18 False Statements

4.19 Confidentiality of Bids / Public Information Act Notice

4.20 Use of Bidder’s Form Not Binding on State

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

4.22 Bid Delivery and Submission Instructions

4.23 Bid Evaluation Criteria and Award Basis

4.24 Tie Bids

4.25 Reciprocal Preference

4.26 Documents Required upon Notice of Recommendation for Contract Award (Table B)

5 IFB Appendices and Exhibits

5.1 Appendices (Table C)

5.2 Exhibits (Table D)

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1 Minimum Qualifications

1.1 Bidder Minimum Qualifications

There are no Bidder Minimum Qualifications for this procurement.

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

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2 Contractor Requirements: Scope of Work

2.1 Summary Statement

2.1.1 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”): The Maryland Department of Health (MDH or the Department), Prevention and Health Promotion Administration, WIC Program, seeks a vendor to supply a subscription-based investigative database tool to support regulatory enforcement and fraud prevention efforts.

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.

2.1.2 This is a single award IFB. See IFB Section 4.23 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.

2.2 Background and Purpose

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH or the Department), Women, Infants, and Children

(WIC) Program is a federally funded program designed to support the nutritional and health needs of eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and young children under the age of five.

To safeguard the program’s integrity, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has recognized the need for advanced tools that can assist in identifying and addressing fraudulent activities. A subscription-based investigative database would serve as a critical resource in this endeavor. This tool will enable the WIC Program to access current and accurate information, facilitating the detection of anomalies and patterns indicative of fraud.

2.2.1 Project Goals

Through this procurement, Maryland WIC seeks to enhance its efforts in enforcing regulations and combating fraud through the acquisition of a subscription-based investigative tool. This aligns with the program’s commitment to ensuring that benefits reach eligible families while maintaining the integrity of the system.

2.2.2 State Staff and Roles

The sole point of contact in the State for purposes of this solicitation prior to the award of any

Contract is the Procurement Officer at the address listed below:

Heather Thomas

Maryland Department of Health

Prevention and Health Promotion Administration – WIC Program

201 W. Preston Street, Room 104D

Baltimore, MD 21201

Phone Number: 410.767.4462

Fax Number: 410.333.5243

E-mail: Heather.Thomas2@maryland.gov

The Department may change the Procurement Officer at any time by written notice.

mailto:Heather.Thomas2@maryland.gov

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 8 of 28

The Contract Monitor is:

Maura Shea

Maryland Department of Health

Prevention and Health Promotion Administration – WIC Program

201 W. Preston Street, Room 103

Baltimore, MD 21201

Phone Number: 443.827.6374

E-mail: Maura.Shea@maryland.gov

The Department may change the Contract Monitor at any time by written notice.

2.3 Contractor Responsibilities and Tasks

The contractor shall:

2.3.1 Regulatory Compliance

Ensure full compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations regarding the use and access of public records and investigative information, including but not limited to:

• The Gramm-Leach Billy Act (GLBA)

• The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (DPPA)

• The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (47 U.S.C. 227)

2.3.2 User Access and System Requirements

Provide secure access to a web-based portal that retrieves real-time information from a comprehensive investigative database. Access must be granted to:

• Five (5) standard users

• One (1) administrator

• Billing staff as needed

2.3.3 Search and Reporting Capabilities

The database must support all searches and generate all reports specified in Exhibit C – Technical

Proposal.

Additional searches and reports may be included as part of the service.

The bid response must clearly describe the data fields and outputs produced by each search and report.

2.3.4 Pricing

All proposed costs must be fully inclusive and clearly detailed in the bid response. No additional or hidden fees will be accepted.

2.4 Supplemental Category of Work Requirements and Responsibilities

See the attached Exhibit C – Technical Proposal associated with this solicitation.

mailto:Maura.Shea@maryland.gov

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 9 of 28

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 and training 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. 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.

3.3 Invoicing

All invoices must be submitted by email to mdwic.billing@maryland.gov and the Contract

Monitor at Maura.Shea@maryland.gov with a copy to mdh.wicprocurement@maryland.gov.

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.

mailto:mdwic.billing@maryland.gov mailto:Maura.Shea@maryland.gov mailto:mdh.wicprocurement@maryland.gov

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 10 of 28

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.

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 on the 15th day in the month following the acceptance of the work by the State.

B. Invoices for deliverables shall be submitted upon completion and acceptance of the deliverables as defined in Section 2 of the IFB.

3.3.2 Deliverable Invoicing

N/A

3.3.3 Labor Hour/Time and Materials Invoicing

N/A

1. Timesheet Reporting

N/A

2. Materials Reporting

N/A

3.3.4 Travel Reimbursement

Travel will not be reimbursed under this IFB.

3.4 Liquidated Damages

3.4.1 MBE Liquidated Damages

Inapplicable because there is no MBE goal for this IFB.

3.4.2 Liquidated Damages other than MBE

This section is inapplicable to this IFB.

3.4.3 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;

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 11 of 28

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 Work Orders

This section is inapplicable to this IFB.

3.6 Payments by Electronic Funds Transfer

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

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

Office grants an exemption. Invoices under $5,000 will be paid using a corporate purchasing card

(credit card). The Contractor shall not impose any additional fees or surcharges for payments made by credit card. Payment by EFT is mandatory for contracts exceeding $200,000. The successful Bidder shall register using the COT/GAD X-10 Vendor Electronic Funds (EFT)

Registration Request Form found at https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/state-agencies/accounting/eft-ach-for-vendors.html.

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. It 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.

3.7 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 9 “Prompt Pay Requirements” (see https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/state-agencies/accounting/eft-ach-for-vendors.html https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/state-agencies/accounting/eft-ach-for-vendors.html

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Exhibit 4 - Sample Contract). Additional information is available on GOSBA’s website at:

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

3.8 Federal Funding Acknowledgement

There are programmatic conditions that apply to the Contract due to federal funding (see

Attachment H).

The total amount of federal funds allocated for the Prevention and Health Promotion

Administration is $303,682,614 in Maryland State fiscal year 2025. This represents 58% of all funds budgeted for the unit in that fiscal year. This does not necessarily represent the amount of funding available for any particular grant, contract, or solicitation.

The Contract contains federal funds. The source of these federal funds is: United States

Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services (USDA). The CFDA number is: 10.557.

The conditions that apply to all federal funds awarded by the State are contained in Federal Funds

Attachment H. Any additional conditions that apply to this particular federally-funded contract are contained as supplements to Federal Funds Attachment H and Bidders are to complete and submit these Attachments with their Bids as instructed in the Attachments. By completing and submitting Attachment H, the Bidder agrees to comply Acceptance of this agreement indicates the

Bidder’s intent to comply with all federal funding conditions, (which are part of the Contract).

3.9 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.

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.”

3.10 Non-Disclosure Agreement

3.10.1 Non-Disclosure Agreement (Bidder/Offeror)

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

3.10.2 Non-Disclosure Agreement (Contractor)

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

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 13 of 28

3.11 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/.

3.12 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.

3.13 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:

3.13.1 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.

3.13.2 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.

3.13.3 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.

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

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

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 14 of 28 multi-year contracts, the Contractor shall provide certificates of insurance annually, or as otherwise directed by the Contract Monitor.

3.13.6 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.

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 15 of 28

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. Registration is free. 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:

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.

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 in order to facilitate better preparation of their Bids. If the solicitation includes an MBE participating goal, failure to attend the Conference will be taken into consideration as part of the evaluation of a bidder’s good faith efforts if there is a waiver request.

It is highly recommended that all Prime Contractors bring their intended subcontractors to the

Conference/Site Visit to ensure that all parties understand the IFB requirements and the socio-economic goals for this solicitation.

MBE subcontractors are encouraged to attend the Conference to market their participation to potential prime contractors.

In order 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 effort will be made to provide such special accommodation.

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

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 16 of 28

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 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.

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.

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).

4.6 Economy of Preparation

Bids should be prepared simply and economically and provide a straightforward and concise description of the Bidder’s Proposal to meet the requirements of this IFB.

4.7 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.

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 17 of 28

4.8 Oral Presentation

Bidders may be required to make oral presentations to State representatives. Oral presentations are considered part of the Technical Proposal. Bidders must confirm in writing any substantive oral clarification of, or change in, their Proposals made in the course of discussions. Any such written clarifications or changes then become part of the Bidder’s Proposal. The Procurement Officer will notify Bidder’s of the time and place of oral presentations.

4.9 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.

4.10 Revisions to the IFB

4.10.1 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.

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

4.10.3 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.

4.11 Cancellations

4.11.1 This IFB may be cancelled as provided in COMAR 21.06.02.02

4.11.2 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.

4.11.3 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).

4.11.4 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).

4.12 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.

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4.13 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).

4.14 Bidder Responsibilities

4.14.1 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.

4.14.2 If applicable, subcontractors utilized in meeting the established MBE or VSBE participation goal(s) for this solicitation shall be identified using Attachment D or

Attachment E as appropriate. Guidance for completing the Attachments is provided in the appropriate Appendix or Appendices to this IFB (see “Appendix 4 - MBE

Participation Goal” and “Appendix 5 - VSBE Participation Goal”).

4.14.3 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.

4.14.4 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.

4.15 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 4 –

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.

4.16 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

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 19 of 28 benefits, and shall not become so in arrears during the term of the Contract if selected for Contract award.

4.17 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.

4.18 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.

4.19 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 so 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.

4.20 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.

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

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4.21 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 E = Bid will be rejected if the required Attachment is not submitted or is incomplete.

Attachments F 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

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.)

*Financial Proposal submitted separately from Technical Proposal*

C

Bid Bond https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-C.-Bid-Bond.pdf

D

MBE Forms D-1A https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2018/05/AttachmentDMBE-Forms-1.pdf

IMPORTANT: If this IFB contains different Functional Areas or Service

Categories. A separate Attachment D-1A is to be submitted for each Functional

Area or Service Category where there is a MBE goal.

E

Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Form E-1A http://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2018/04/AttachmentE-VSBEForms.pdf

IMPORTANT: If this IFB contains different Functional Areas or Service

Categories. A separate Attachment E-1A is to be submitted for each Functional

Area or Service Category where there is a VSBE goal.

F Bidder Information Sheet 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-C.-Bid-Bond.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-C.-Bid-Bond.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2018/05/AttachmentDMBE-Forms-1.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2018/05/AttachmentDMBE-Forms-1.pdf http://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2018/04/AttachmentE-VSBEForms.pdf http://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2018/04/AttachmentE-VSBEForms.pdf

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 21 of 28 https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-F.-Bidder-Offeror-Information-

Sheet.pdf

G

Maryland Living Wage Requirements Affidavit of Agreement

(for Services and Facilities Maintenance Contracts - See Appendix 6 for

Details) https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-G.-Maryland-Living-Wage-

Requirements-Affidavit-of-Agreement.pdf

H

Federal Funds Attachments https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-H.-Federal-Funds-Attachment.pdf

I

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.

J

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

K

Location of the Performance of Services Disclosure https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-K.-Location-of-the-Performance-of-

Services-Disclosure.pdf

L

Reference Checks

(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

M

List of Current or Prior State Contracts https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-M.-List-of-Current-or-Prior-State-

Contracts.pdf

N Legal Action Summary https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-F.-Bidder-Offeror-Information-Sheet.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-F.-Bidder-Offeror-Information-Sheet.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-F.-Bidder-Offeror-Information-Sheet.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-G.-Maryland-Living-Wage-Requirements-Affidavit-of-Agreement.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-G.-Maryland-Living-Wage-Requirements-Affidavit-of-Agreement.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-G.-Maryland-Living-Wage-Requirements-Affidavit-of-Agreement.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-H.-Federal-Funds-Attachment.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-H.-Federal-Funds-Attachment.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-K.-Location-of-the-Performance-of-Services-Disclosure.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-K.-Location-of-the-Performance-of-Services-Disclosure.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-K.-Location-of-the-Performance-of-Services-Disclosure.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 https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-M.-List-of-Current-or-Prior-State-Contracts.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-M.-List-of-Current-or-Prior-State-Contracts.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-M.-List-of-Current-or-Prior-State-Contracts.pdf

IFB for Maryland Department of Health Page 22 of 28 https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-N.-Legal-Action-Summary.pdf

O

Payment of Employee Healthcare Expenses Certification https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-O.-Payment-of-Employee-

Healthcare-Expenses-Certification.pdf

P

Prime Contractor List of ALL Subcontractors

Anticipated/Used During Contract https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-P.-Prime-Contractor-List-of-ALL-

Subcontractors.xlsx

The Bidder shall provide a complete list of all subcontractors that will work on the

Contract if the Bidder receives an award, including those utilized in meeting the

MBE and VSBE subcontracting goal(s), if applicable. This list shall include a full description of the duties each subcontractor will perform and why/how each subcontractor was deemed the most qualified for this project. If applicable, subcontractors utilized in meeting the established MBE or VSBE participation goal(s) for this solicitation shall be identified as provided in the appropriate attachment(s) of this IFB.

Q Labor Resume Form

(See Specific Document Provided by Procurement Officer)

R

Corporate Diversity Addendum https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-R.-Corporate-Diversity-

Addendum.pdf

This addendum is required to be submitted with a BID or PROPOSAL when the contract award is estimated to be $1,000,000 or more.

Note: This document is for data collection only.

Additional Required Documents with the Bid

Financial Capability. The Bidder must include in its Bid a commonly-accepted method to prove its fiscal integrity.

If available, the Bidder shall include Financial Statements, preferably a Profit and Loss (P&L) statement and a Balance Sheet, for the last two (2) years (independently audited preferred).

https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-N.-Legal-Action-Summary.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-N.-Legal-Action-Summary.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-O.-Payment-of-Employee-Healthcare-Expenses-Certification.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-O.-Payment-of-Employee-Healthcare-Expenses-Certification.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-O.-Payment-of-Employee-Healthcare-Expenses-Certification.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-P.-Prime-Contractor-List-of-ALL-Subcontractors.xlsx https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-P.-Prime-Contractor-List-of-ALL-Subcontractors.xlsx https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-P.-Prime-Contractor-List-of-ALL-Subcontractors.xlsx https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-R.-Corporate-Diversity-Addendum.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-R.-Corporate-Diversity-Addendum.pdf https://procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Attachment-R.-Corporate-Diversity-Addendum.pdf

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