Patuxent Branch Trail Improvements

Howard County, Maryland's Office of Procurement and Contract Administration is soliciting bids under Invitation for Bid IFB 2027-19 for the Patuxent Branch Trail Improvements, a construction project in SHA Cost Group "D," with bids due December 23, 2026. Each bid must include a bid bond or certified check equal to 5% of the total bid, payable to the Director of Finance, Howard County, and certified checks must reach the Office of Procurement and Contract Administration before the bid due date and time to be deemed responsive.

The county sets an Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) subcontracting goal of 15% for contracts valued at $50,000 or more, and bidders must complete the EBO Subcontractor Participation Form. The county also requests Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (VOBE) participation with an aspirational goal of 1% of total county procurement dollar value.

Scope covers trail improvements defined by the IFB 2027-19 specifications and drawings, with quantities and project components contained in those documents. Bidders must submit a Contractors Qualifications Questionnaire listing up to five previous projects in reverse chronological order, including trail length, contract amount, and whether they performed as prime or subcontractor. The questionnaire also requires key personnel and their roles, 24-hour emergency response supervisory contacts, major equipment, and bonding capability. A company officer (President, CEO, or Vice President) must sign an affidavit certifying non-collusion, non-discrimination, and anti-bribery compliance. Bidders must also complete a foreign services disclosure, which applies to construction services valued at $2 million or more. Any exposed wood products visible to the eye must comply with the Howard County Rain Forest Protection Act of 1991, which prohibits 36 listed tropical species, and wood procurements above $2,000 require a compliance certification.

The contract is subject to Howard County's Living Wage Requirements for Service Contracts under Section 4.122A of the Howard County Code. The rate is $19.83 per hour as of January 15, 2026, and it is subject to annual adjustment. Pricing must account for wage increases during the initial term and any renewals, and no unit price adjustments are permitted for subsequent wage increases.

The contract requires completion of all work within 120 calendar days from the notice to proceed. The successful bidder must furnish a performance bond and a labor and materials payment bond. Maryland corporations and foreign corporations registered in Maryland must certify good standing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Payment is net 30 days unless otherwise specified, and bid prices are maximum amounts not subject to increase for taxes or other factors. The source does not state a contract value, so no estimate is provided here. Place of performance is Howard County, Maryland.