BC-21475-B Administration of Out-of-State Employer Services (Professional Employer Organization / Employer of Record) RFP

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is requesting proposals for Professional Employer Organization (PEO) and Employer of Record (EOR) services to administer employment-related services for University employees working domestically outside Maryland, with technical proposals due March 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST (revised by Addendum No. 1 issued March 10). A 10% Minority Business Enterprise subcontracting goal applies; bidders unable to meet this threshold must request a waiver with documented good faith efforts.

The scope encompasses consultation, implementation, administration, and compliance services including state-specific wage and hour guidance, employer tax obligations, workers' compensation requirements, payroll coordination, labor and employee relations support, and comprehensive documentation and reporting. Deliverables include implementation plans, state-specific compliance matrices, payroll and tax reports per pay cycle, quarterly compliance briefings and employee census reports, and annual service reviews. Records must be retained for a minimum of seven years following contract expiration or termination.

The contract is structured as an indefinite quantity agreement with fixed unit prices, a one-year base term, and four optional one-year renewal periods. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience providing PEO/EOR services to public sector or higher education clients and provide evidence of financial stability. The contractor must maintain commercial general liability insurance of $2 million and secure performance bonds for the first year's contract value with renewal at each anniversary. All pricing proposals must be fully loaded to include labor, profit, overhead, general operating, and administrative expenses; pricing will be requested only from firms shortlisted following technical evaluation.

The mandatory pre-proposal conference is scheduled for February 26, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST. Questions from prospective bidders are due by March 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST. Oral presentations are scheduled as a placeholder for March 30, 2026. Offerors must acknowledge receipt of Addendum No. 1 with their technical proposals.