RFP General Contractor Services for Renovation of Multifamily Buildings

The Howard County Housing Commission is requesting proposals for general contractor services for renovation of Columbia Landing Apartments, a 120-unit multifamily community in Columbia, Maryland, with proposals due October 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. ET and a mandatory pre-proposal site visit on September 10, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

The scope encompasses preconstruction consulting and construction management for a five-cluster, garden-style property comprising 20 building addresses (approximately 129,768 gross square feet) with 39 one-bedroom and 81 two-bedroom units, plus leasing office and model unit. Work includes unit interior renovations, common area and stairwell upgrades, building exterior repairs, site improvements, and priced alternates. The contractor must demonstrate experience completing multifamily renovations with residents in occupancy — a key capability filter — and provide bonding capacity of 100 percent of the construction contract sum. Insurance requirements are commercial general liability ($1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate), statutory Maryland worker's compensation, automobile liability ($1 million), and builder's risk at completed value.

The estimated base construction cost is $5.7 million. The contract period is one year with one-year renewal options exercisable at the Commission's discretion. The Commission intends to negotiate a Guaranteed Maximum Price construction contract as the project progresses toward financial closing. Project financing is expected to utilize new amortizing tax-exempt revenue bonds; the Commission reserves the right to incorporate low-income housing tax credits, CDA financing, or other sources. Recent work completed 2022–2025 (HVAC replacement, dryer vent connections, three roof replacements, condensate drainage improvements) is excluded from the anticipated base scope.

Evaluation criteria weight firm qualifications and past performance most heavily, followed by the proposer's approach to phased, tenant-in-place construction, proposal completeness, and price. Equal Business Opportunity status carries 5 percent scoring weight. Questions are due September 18, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Award is anticipated in November 2026.