New Germany Communications Tower

The Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) is soliciting proposals from a master contractor (FA 13) for design, engineering, and construction of a communications tower and site improvements at New Germany State Park in Garrett County, Maryland, with proposals due March 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM via eMMA. A Minority Business Enterprise participation goal of 3% applies; no Veteran Small Business Enterprise goal is stated.

The scope spans two phases totaling approximately 240 business days. Phase 1 (120 business days from notice to proceed) requires site investigations, permitting, zoning analysis, environmental assessments, FAA filings, NEPA screening, cultural resource studies, and delivery of 100% construction drawings with all approvals. Phase 2 (120 business days) encompasses site preparation, foundation construction, erection of a 330-foot self-supporting steel tower compliant with EIA 222-I design standards for 90 mph wind gusts, installation of an equipment shelter (12 by 38 feet) with redundant 5-ton HVAC units and a 75 kW backup generator, a 1,000-gallon propane tank, tower lighting (FAA Type L-864/L-865), and associated electrical and grounding systems. The contractor must obtain all local, state, and federal permits and coordinate inspections throughout construction. Tower manufacturers must be pre-approved: Valmont, Sabre Towers, Cellxion, Cell Site Solutions, Fibrebond, Thermobond, or Virginia Fiberglass Products. Grounding must test below 5 ohms using fall-of-potential methodology. The contractor must hold Maryland Department of Environment Responsible Personnel Certification and provide a staffing plan with up to four key personnel.

The project is funded at $3 million in state capital funds. Prevailing wage rates apply per Maryland law and COMAR 21.11.11; wage rates are informational and may change before contract execution. Phase 1 is firm fixed price; Phase 2 pricing is developed based on Phase 1 deliverables and site conditions. Liquidated damages of $700 per day apply for work extending beyond 180 business days from notice to proceed. The contractor must provide commercial general liability insurance of at least $2 million per occurrence and performance and payment bonds (100% until final acceptance) within ten business days of award. Warranty: five years for tower materials and structures and tower lighting systems; two years for equipment shelters and generators. Ten percent retainage applies to all invoices, with final payment within 60 calendar days of contract termination.

The pre-proposal site visit was December 1 or 8, 2025 (already passed). Amendment 4, issued February 18, 2026, removed the proposal bond requirement, clarified integrated load center specifications (accepting Square D equipment in lieu of discontinued Transtector ISP 200/400), and corrected prevailing wage attachment designation. All amendments through Amendment 4 must be acknowledged per COMAR 21.05.02.08A.