STATEWIDE: Bagged De-Icing Material

The Maryland Department of General Services, Office of State Procurement is issuing a solicitation for bagged de-icing materials to serve multiple jurisdictions, with a specific focus on Dorchester County. The procurement seeks vendors capable of supplying various deicing products including calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, and blended deicer products, exclusively in 50-lb bags. The contract is structured as an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement, meaning the state is not obligated to purchase minimum or maximum quantities. Bids will be evaluated on a line-item basis, with awards made to responsive and responsible vendors offering the lowest prices per line item. The solicitation requires vendors to complete a detailed pricing bid form covering seven geographic districts, with mandatory pricing submission for each district a vendor can service. The proposal is due on November 6, 2024, and vendors must adhere to strict bidding instructions, including completing specific spreadsheet tabs and providing comprehensive bidder information. Delivery requirements are stringent, with non-emergency deliveries expected within 5 business days and emergency deliveries required within 2 business days.

The contract appears open to multiple types of vendors, with no specific small business or disadvantaged enterprise set-asides explicitly mentioned in the documentation. Pricing for the contract will be subject to annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments, and vendors must comply with Maryland's green purchasing requirements. The contract term is one year, with options to renew for up to three additional one-year terms. Vendors will be required to pay a 1% electronic transaction fee on all contract sales and must meet various compliance standards, including maintaining a drug-free workplace and adhering to state and federal regulations. The contract is not only available to Maryland state agencies but can also be utilized by other state and local government entities and certain non-profit organizations through cooperative purchasing arrangements. While specific budget ranges are not detailed, the solicitation suggests a statewide scope that could represent a significant procurement opportunity for qualified vendors in the deicing materials market.