Youth and Young Adult Library Materials for Correctional Education Libraries

The State of Maryland, Department of Labor, Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning, Correctional Education Program is requesting proposals for youth and young adult print library materials for correctional education libraries serving incarcerated students under age 21, with proposals due November 4, 2026 and a pre-proposal conference on October 14, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. EST via Google Meet. This is a single-award contract with no MBE or VSBE subcontracting goals and no minimum offeror qualifications.

The scope requires reinforced paperback books exclusively from three state-approved curated title lists: approximately 1,000+ nonfiction titles (50% of allocation), 900+ general fiction and YA titles (25%), and 160+ manga and graphic novels (25%). All materials must be shelf-ready with complete MARC records compatible with the Follett Destiny Integrated Library System. Books must match exact title and ISBN; substitutions require written approval from the Contract Monitor. Delivery is to twelve Maryland correctional facilities (Dorsey Run, Jessup, Western, North Branch, Roxbury, Hagerstown, Training Center, Patuxent, Eastern East, Eastern West, and Metropolitan Transition Center). Pricing must be itemized by site and category and include shipping, handling, processing, cataloging, labeling, and MARC record preparation. The contractor must maintain Commercial General Liability insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit and $3,000,000 annual aggregate, and Workers' Compensation insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence.

Total planned expenditure is $190,000 with a per-site Do Not Exceed allocation of $15,833 (nonfiction capped at $7,916.50 per site, general fiction and manga/graphic novels each at $3,958.25 per site). This is a firm fixed-price contract funded through Title I, Part D, Subpart 1 federal grant funds (CFDA 84.013). Award will not be based solely on lowest price; technical and financial factors will be evaluated for best value. The contract has a one-year base period. Questions are due October 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST. The State is exempt from federal excise taxes, Maryland sales and use taxes, and District of Columbia sales taxes.