External Legislative

The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) is requesting proposals for external and legislative strategy consultation and implementation services, with proposals due November 23, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time and questions due by November 9, 2026. This is a small business reserve-only solicitation limited to certified Maryland small businesses, with a maximum award of $100,000.

The vendor will develop and implement external and legislative engagement strategies to enhance stakeholder relationships, build policymaker understanding, and improve alignment between HSCRC expertise and policy development. Core deliverables include identifying key policymakers and stakeholders, reviewing and advising on messaging materials, implementing external affairs engagement plans, identifying collaboration opportunities, supporting stakeholder engagement with policy influencers, and maintaining awareness of emerging policy topics. Required activities include weekly meetings with HSCRC staff and additional meetings during critical phases.

The contract term is one year from execution with firm fixed-price awards. Evaluation criteria are weighted at 75% technical merit and 25% financial considerations. Technical evaluation focuses on expertise in state healthcare financing systems and Maryland's unique hospital payment model (30%); personnel experience in Maryland policymaking and legislative engagement strategy (30%); and relevant key staff experience in stakeholder relationship-building, policy communication, and regulatory impact assessment (30%). A minimum technical proposal score of 70% is required for consideration.

Proposals must be submitted through eMaryland Marketplace as two separate sealed submissions — a technical proposal and a financial proposal. Vendors must provide resumes of key staff, titles and roles of all project personnel, hourly rates and hours for each staff member including indirect costs, and documentation of any additional anticipated charges. The solicitation encourages participation by minority business enterprises.