New Power Operated Rolling Gate and Adjacent Fence Sections for Taylor Avenue Exit

The Maryland School for the Blind (MSB) is seeking a contractor through a design-build Request for Qualifications and Proposal to replace a power-operated rolling gate and adjacent fence sections at the Taylor Avenue exit. The project scope includes removing an existing chain link power-operated rolling gate and replacing it with a new aluminum picket-style rolling gate with an arched top design, reusing the existing gate operator; replacing two chain link fence sections flanking the gate with new 7'-0" high aluminum picket fence; installing a new pedestrian gate with maglock in one fence section; and providing new concrete curb and sidewalk in the immediate vicinity of the gate. The contractor must be fully responsible for design, permitting, utility locating, and installation as a turn-key engagement with all materials, labor, equipment, and related costs included in the base bid. Qualified respondents must demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience in similar work, provide evidence of at least three completed comparable projects, and assign an on-site supervisor with minimum five years' experience. The evaluation criteria prioritize the lowest qualified bidder. Critical deadlines include mandatory pre-proposal site tours on May 12 at 4:00 PM or May 14 at 11:00 AM (attendance at one tour is required for bid eligibility), a question submission deadline of May 20 at 12:00 PM with responses due May 27 at 12:00 PM, and a proposal submission deadline of June 9 at 5:00 PM, with award notification by June 10 at 5:00 PM and contract execution on June 12, 2026. Construction must occur between July 31 and August 28, 2026 when no students are on campus, with a preferred completion date of August 21, 2026, and liquidated damages of $500 per weekday apply for any work remaining incomplete after August 28.

Contractors must obtain a Small Business Reserve number and demonstrate compliance with Maryland's Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Veteran Small Business Enterprise (VSBE), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals, though no specific subgoals have been established for this particular project. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are referenced in the procurement documentation. The contract requires Payment and Performance Bonds only if the bid exceeds $100,000. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, Automobile Liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, and Workers' Compensation of $1,000,000 per incident limit. The project anticipates a cost of less than $250,000, therefore prevailing wage laws do not apply. Payment will be distributed in three installments: 33 percent upon materials purchase, 33 percent at 50 percent completion, and 34 percent upon 100 percent completion with submitted closeout documents. Materials purchased are tax-exempt under MSB's tax-exempt status, with the tax-exempt certificate provided post-award.