Statewide Emergency Contract for Cots and Blankets

The State of Maryland is soliciting bids on an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for cots and blankets to support statewide disaster response and distribution to disaster survivors and incident workforce personnel, with bids due July 8, 2026. The procurement carries an MBE participation goal; only Maryland State Department of Transportation (MDOT)-certified MBEs qualify toward the goal, and bidders must submit Attachment D-1A (MBE Utilization and Fair Solicitation Affidavit and MBE Participation Schedule) with their bid or risk rejection with no opportunity for cure.

Bidders must submit bids on a "by line" basis, meaning all items or none — the State reserves the right to make awards by individual item, groups of items, or total bid price if in its best interest, unless the bidder specifies that partial or progressive awards are unacceptable. Award will be made to the responsive and responsible vendor with the lowest price as determined by the Procurement Officer. All materials must comply with federal and state laws, EPA requirements under the Federal Noise Control Act of 1972, and OSHA standards. Delivery is FOB to specified points on or before specified dates; defective materials will be rejected and replaced by the contractor at their expense.

The contract is not subject to price escalation. Contractors must comply with Maryland's Green Purchasing Reporting Requirements and may be required to submit quarterly sales data regarding recycled content, third-party sustainability certifications, and other environmental attributes of products sold under the contract. MBE primes may self-perform up to 50 percent of the overall goal and up to 100 percent of a single subgoal with their own workforce. Within ten business days of notification as the recommended awardee or from the date of actual award, whichever is earlier, the selected bidder must provide outreach efforts compliance statements, MBE subcontractor or prime project participation certifications, and additional documentation to verify responsibility. Monthly Prime Contractor Paid/Unpaid MBE Invoice Reports are due by the tenth of each month; comprehensive MBE participation records must be maintained for three years after contract completion.