26P-003 Campus Directional Signage Update

Howard Community College is requesting bids on a campus-wide exterior signage and wayfinding update under IFB 26P-003, with bids due January 9, 2026, and an optional second pre-bid walk-through on January 2, 2026 (RSVP required by December 31, 2025). The College strongly encourages a 29% minority business enterprise (MBE) participation goal, which is not mandatory.

The scope covers fabrication, installation, and limited design verification of approximately 86 exterior signs across the main campus, including 28 pedestrian directional signs, 22 vehicular directional signs, 52 destination signs, and 3 illuminated channel letter garage entrance signs. Signage types include monument signs (approximately 102" high × 36" wide, double-sided), multi-blade directional signs, walkway signs, parking identification signs, and face-lit letter and logo panels. All work must comply with ADA requirements and the College's updated brand standards (burgundy PMS 207, gold PMS 466, blue PMS 293; Minion Pro and Roboto fonts; logo usage guidelines). The scope is limited to exterior wayfinding; interior ADA building signage is excluded. Contractors must validate site conditions and quantities during pricing development, as campus maps may not reflect current conditions.

The total budget ceiling is $1.1 million, inclusive of all labor, materials, permits, disposal, overhead, and profit; bids exceeding this amount are non-responsive. Bids must include unit pricing for a single sign with two word bars and for each additional word bar. A Maryland signage license is preferred for the prime contractor; a qualified subcontractor's license is acceptable if the subcontractor performs the majority of work. Work must begin within ten days of Notice-to-Proceed and achieve substantial completion before the Spring Semester. The contract structure provides one base year (March 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026) plus two optional years. Required insurance includes general liability of $1 million per occurrence / $3 million aggregate, business automobile liability of $500,000, and statutory workers' compensation. The College retains the right to reject any or all bids, waive formalities, defer award up to 120 calendar days, or cancel the solicitation.