MES Board of Director's Assessment Service- SBR Procurement

The Maryland Environmental Service (MES) is issuing a Request for Proposals for Board of Directors Assessment Services under a Small Business Reserve procurement designation. The consultant selected will conduct a comprehensive assessment of MES's Board of Directors as mandated by the Maryland General Assembly through House Bill 2 (effective July 1, 2021). The assessment must evaluate multiple critical areas including board structure, composition, diversity, governance documents, dynamics and functioning, strategic role, financial reporting and internal controls, policy monitoring, and chair responsibilities. The contract will be firm fixed price with a six-month duration from the Notice to Proceed, with a draft report due November 16, 2026, and a final report due December 14, 2026 (requiring three hard copies and electronic version for draft; eight hard copies and electronic version for final). A single contract award is anticipated. Minimum qualifications require offerors to demonstrate ten or more years of experience providing board and commission assessment consulting services, supported by three references from the past five years. Evaluation criteria allocate 30 points for firm background and experience, 40 points for methodology, 10 points for references, and 20 points for pricing. Questions must be submitted by April 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM, and proposals are due April 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM, submitted electronically through the MES Procurement Portal (Bonfire) in two separate volumes: Volume I (Technical Proposal) and Volume II (Price Proposal).

This procurement is designated as a Small Business Reserve (SBR) set-aside, limiting award eligibility exclusively to certified small businesses meeting Maryland statutory requirements under State Finance and Procurement Article 14-501 through 14-505. No disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) or minority business enterprise (MBE) subcontractor participation goals apply to this contract, nor are living wage requirements applicable. Federal funding is not involved in this procurement. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, plus Vehicle Liability Insurance of $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate. Required certifications and affidavits include the Bid/Proposal Affidavit, Conflict of Interest Affidavit, Investment Activities in Iran Certification, and Certification Regarding Discriminatory Boycotts of Israel. Invoices are accepted monthly and must be submitted by the 15th of the following month for work performed, with payment due within thirty days of MES receipt. No incumbent vendors or specific budget range has been identified in the available procurement documents.