Resource Type: Bids

A bidder can request an interpretation or clarification of any of the information concerning the solicitation. The bidder should submit a request for clarification in writing at least 5 working days prior to the date set for receipt of bids. The potential bidder should direct this request to the contact person identified on the solicitation or the Purchasing Division. The Commission will respond in writing and send this information to all firms holding bid documents. A bidder who fails to request any such clarification waives any claim for additional cost or time spent addressing any ambiguity, error, inconsistency or discrepancy in any information, which is found to have been apparent at the time of receipt of bids.

Pre-proposal conferences, pre-bid conferences and site visits may be held for some procurements. During these conferences, Commission staff advise potential offerors of special or technical requirements of a project and allow potential offerors to ask questions about the work to be performed. Attendance at these conferences is not mandatory, unless otherwise stated. Any information disseminated at such a conference will be made available to all firms holding RFPs or IFBs and any other firms indicating an interest in receiving the information. For more information please call (301) 454-1609.

While the Commission uses a system of decentralized purchasing, a potential vendor can contact the Purchasing Division with any inquiries regarding purchasing opportunities. The Purchasing Office is located in the M-NCPPC Executive Office Building at:
6611 Kenilworth Avenue
Suite 300
Riverdale, MD 20737

Normal office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. We recommend that sales representatives schedule appointments with staff to ensure availability on the day you plan to visit.

Submission of a Bidders List Registration Form also places the firm in the database that Commission Purchasing Aides access to send solicitations. Being listed in the database does not ensure that a firm will be contacted for any procurement opportunity.

For low-dollar procurements (under $10,000), individual Commission facilities are free to make their own purchasing decisions. In these cases, it may be useful to market your products and services directly to each Facility Manager/Director.

The Commission operates under a decentralized purchasing system in which Field Purchasing Agents have been given signature authority to make purchases not to exceed $10,000. The Central Purchasing Division provides assistance during the purchasing process and reviews documentation to ensure that purchasing procedures are followed. For more information please call (301) 454-1609.

The Commission advertises Invitations for Bids (IFBs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) exceeding $30,000 electronically. Commission staff may also email Invitations for Bids or Requests for Proposals to firms on the Commission’s computerized bidders list. Review the current IFBs and RFPs.

The Commission purchases a wide range of goods, professional services, miscellaneous services and construction services. Procurement’s range from multi-million dollar building projects to contracts for instructors to teach classes at Commission facilities. For more information please call (301) 454-1609.

Commission purchasing is conducted to achieve maximum value from the expenditure of public funds. All procurement transactions are conducted in accordance with Commission procedures and applicable state and federal laws in a manner that encourages and maintains good community, public, vendor and interdepartmental relations; ensures fair and equitable treatment of all persons who deal with the Commission in purchasing matters; promotes economy in Commission purchasing; ensures that the Commission is not an active or passive participant in discrimination against minority, women or disabled-owned businesses; and provides safeguards for the maintenance of a procurement system of quality and integrity.

The Commission has adopted a policy on ethics in purchasing which can be found in Practice 4-10.