2027 Best Practices Conference

Maryland's Office of Overdose Response is requesting competitive bids for a full-day conference venue package for the 2027 Best Practices Conference in Annapolis, Maryland, with proposals due September 18, 2026, and questions due September 11, 2026. This is a Small Business Reserve Procurement limited to certified small businesses under Maryland State Finance and Procurement Article 14-501–14-505 and certified by the Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs (GOSBA). The vendor must be physically located in Annapolis, Maryland — a hard geographic requirement.

The venue must accommodate 350 general session attendees in theater or round-table seating, provide a minimum of six concurrent breakout rooms, registration foyer space for 5–10 vendor tables, and a raised stage. The conference runs eight hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) on May 10–12, 2027, with early staff setup access beginning at 6:00 AM. Required services include full-service catering (executive continental breakfast buffet, lunch buffet or boxed options, all-day non-alcoholic beverage service, and afternoon snack break) for 350 participants; comprehensive audiovisual capabilities including sound systems, microphones, projectors, laptops, high-speed wireless internet, and on-site technical support across all rooms; on-site or accommodated parking for all attendees and staff; and negotiated discounted hotel rates for overnight stays preceding the conference.

The maximum budgetary cap is $50,000, with payment due no later than thirty days after the event. Vendors must be registered and in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) and registered on eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA). Proposals must include itemized pricing broken into Space, Catering, AV/Tech, Parking, Hotel, and Other categories; sample menus; a floor plan diagram; and a work plan. Award is scheduled for November 1, 2026, with contract completion not extending beyond June 30, 2027. Procurement Officer: Cassandra Hershberger (cassandra.hershberger@maryland.gov).