Public Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement in Support of MPA’s Dredged Material Management Program

The Maryland Environmental Service (MES) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) on behalf of the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) for comprehensive public outreach and stakeholder engagement services supporting the Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) throughout the Baltimore Harbor and Chesapeake Bay. The procurement seeks qualified contractors to develop and implement public engagement strategies, create communications materials, facilitate stakeholder meetings, provide graphic design and multimedia content, and deliver project-based assistance related to dredged material containment facilities, ecosystem restoration projects, and port operations. Key deliverables include developing communication tools, implementing stakeholder engagement programs, and providing community outreach services. Evaluation criteria will assess related previous work experience (30 points), qualifications and experience of key personnel (20 points), past performance (30 points), technical approach (10 points), and MBE participation (10 points). Critical procurement dates include a pre-proposal conference on January 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM, with questions due by January 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM, and proposal submissions required by January 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM through the MES Procurement Portal.

The solicitation mandates a minimum of 29% minority business enterprise (MBE) subcontractor participation, with specific subgoals of 3% for Asian-American MBEs, 2% for Hispanic-American MBEs, and 10% for women-owned MBEs. Contractors must perform a minimum of 50% of services using their own staff and maintain a project manager with at least 10 years of experience. The contract will initially award up to four contracts, with an initial two-year term and three optional two-year renewal periods at MES's discretion. The anticipated initial contract value is up to $4,000,000 per contract, with potential subsequent two-year extensions of up to $2,000,000, resulting in an aggregate total not to exceed $10,000,000 per contractor. Contracts will operate on a cost-reimbursable, task-order basis with no guaranteed minimum work or dollar amount. Contractors must carry commercial general liability insurance 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. Labor rates must be unloaded and will be firm for the first year, with potential increases not exceeding an average of 3% annually, subject to MES approval.