Q. What does "Good Standing" mean? A. This pertains to the section in the bid packages Certification of Registration and Tax Payment. Baltimore County requires the successful bidder to be in "good standing" (also known as Certificate of Status) with the State of Maryland. Any business conducting interstate or intrastate business within Maryland must be registered with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) in accordance with the Annotated Code of Maryland, Corporations and Associations. Baltimore County verifies the successful vendors status with SDAT. Non-compliance to this section may result in a delay in contract award or rejection of a bid. Q. How do I become a pre-qualified vendor for Baltimore County? A. The Purchasing Division does not require a vendor to be pre-qualified to participate in the procurement process. However, capital improvement construction and professional services (Architect & Engineers) contracts require general contractors, material suppliers (source supply) and prime consultants to be pre-qualified. On occasion, subcontractors may be required to be pre-qualified. Back to top Q. What are the County's thresholds for issuing solicitations?
A. (Up to $1,000) Small Purchase: Using agencies place most orders directly with vendors using procurement (credit) cards. ($1,001 - $5,000) Open Market Purchase: Price data is obtained from our price records, by telephone or via email. The information is submitted to Purchasing, and a Buyer will place most orders directly with vendors using procurement (credit) cards. NOTE: Only the Purchasing & Disbursement Section Buyers can purchase using procurement card in excess of $1,000. ($5,001 - $25,000) Request for Quotations/Informal Bids: As a courtesy, Informal quotations may be solicited via Baltimore County's Current Solicitations page. (Over $25,000) Invitations to Bid or Requests for Proposals/Formal Bids: Formal written, sealed bids/proposals are solicited only via Baltimore County's Current Solicitations page. These bids require public posting and procurement affidavits. Solicitations are posted on our Current Solicitations page. Back to top Q. How can I be placed on the County's bid list to receive solicitations?
A. Vendors may register for a weekly e-mail notification listing of new bid opportunities. Solicitations are available for download on the County's Current Solicitations page. Solicitations are no longer mailed to prospective vendors. Back to top Q. How can I find out about current bid opportunities in Baltimore County?
A. Current bid opportunities are posted on Baltimore County's web site under Current Solicitations. Current bid opportunities are also posted on the bulletin board in Purchasing Division, located on the first floor of the Old Courthouse, 400 Washington Ave., Room 148, Towson, Maryland 21204. Additionally, you can sign up for our weekly e-mail notification to find out about our newest bid opportunities. Back to top Q. How can I be placed on the County's bid list for construction contracts?
A. The Department of Public Works, Construction Contracts Administration Division handles construction contracting. To bid on construction contracts, bidders must be pre-qualified by submitting a completed contractor's qualification questionnaire to the Department of Public Works, and receive approval of both experience and financial responsibility. You may contact them by phone at 410-887-3531. Back to top Q. How can I learn more about bid opportunities in other governmental entities? A. For links to current solicitations in other governmental entities in the Baltimore Metropolitan area, visit the Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee (BRCPC). Current solicitations for other Baltimore County governmental agencies can be found on their web sites: Baltimore County Public Schools Baltimore County Public Library Baltimore County Community Colleges Back to top Q. How do I find out about the County's MBE/WBE program?
A. Baltimore County is, committed to the diversification of our vendor base. The County's Use of Minority Business Enterprises and Women's Business Enterprises in County Contracts executive order is available on the Minority Business Enterprise web site. MBE/WBE questions specifically pertaining to: Back to top Q. Should I read the entire bid package, including all the attachments and fine print? A. Yes, read the solicitation documents thoroughly and comply with all the instructions and conditions. Improperly completed bids may be considered non-responsive. Submit your bid well in advance of the deadline; late bids cannot be considered. Back to top Q. Can I attend bid openings? A. Baltimore County, Maryland invites vendors to attend bid openings for all formal bids (Invitation to Bid and Request for Proposal) listed on our current solicitation page. At the dates and times noted, the County will publicly open all received formal bids and read the submissions at the following location: Purchasing Division
Baltimore County Courthouse
400 Washington Avenue
Room 148
Towson, MD 21204
The Director of Budget and Finance, Purchasing Agent, reserves the right to reject bids whole or in part and/or to waive technicalities, in his judgment, the best interest of Baltimore County, MD will be served thereby. Back to top Q. How can I obtain Purchasing's bid results?
A. Purchasing's bid results information can be obtained in several ways. The bid results are available on Purchasing's web site. The results may also be obtained from the bulletin boards in the Purchasing Division, or by calling the Purchasing Division at 410-887-3880. Bid results for Public Works Construction Contracts are also posted on the bulletin boards in Purchasing and may be obtained by calling 410-887-3531. Back to top Q. When will my invoice be paid?
A. All invoices pursuant to a purchase order should be sent in duplicate to the Office of Budget and Finance, Disbursements Section, 400 Washington Avenue, Room 148, Towson, Maryland 21204. Invoices should contain the vendor's Federal Tax ID number and a valid purchase order number. The County makes every effort to pay correct and proper invoices within 30 days of receipt. Any unusual delay in payment should be reported to the appropriate Disbursements Clerk or the Buyer listed on the purchase order. For a listing of Disbursement Clerks and their contact information, visit our Contact Us page. Back to top Q. Will cash discounts be considered? A. Cash discounts will be considered in determining awards, however, cash discount offers must allow not less than 30 days to be considered in bid evaluation. A bid offering a cash discount in a period of less than 30 days will be evaluated as a bid without a discount offer; however, should that bidder obtain award by consideration of the gross price, the County shall make every effort to obtain the discount. Cash discount periods will be computed from the date of delivery and acceptance of the goods/services ordered, or the date of receipt of correct and proper invoices prepared in accordance which with the terms of Baltimore County's order, whichever date is later. Back to top Q. What should I do if there are changes in my company status, such as a change in ownership, business name, address, contact information or Taxpayer Identification Number?
A. Changes in your business could have an impact on our obligation to report information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You may call the Purchasing Division at 410-887-3880 or e-mail us at purchasing@baltimorecountymd.gov to find out how to update your information. You may be asked to forward a new IRS Form W-9. (PDF) Back to top Q. What number can I call to get more information about the Purchasing Division?
A. You may call the main number at 410-887-3880 or you may call or e-mail the Buyer listed for the Current Solicitation for which you have questions. If you have any additional questions, you may contact any member of our staff for help. Back to top Q. How can I provide clerical/secretarial services out of my home to the County on a contractual basis?
A. Generally, the County obtains supplemental clerical support from temporary employment agencies and does not secure such services on a contractual basis. Back to top Q. How can I obtain Public Works Construction Contracts bid results? A. Bid results for Public Works Construction Contracts are published online, posted on bulletin boards in Purchasing or immediate preliminary bid results may be obtained by calling the Construction Bid Line at 410-887-4504. Back to top Q. How do I find a listing of pre-qualified general contractors? A. The list of pre-qualified contractors is available on-line. You may call 410-887-4248 to see if a specific company is pre-qualified or to obtain a list of pre-qualified contractors. Once a job is posted a list of pre-qualified contractors who have purchased the plans can be found online. Please note that we only post the names of the general contractors who are pre-qualified to do the work, we do not post any non-prequalified contractor's information. Back to top Q. How do I find out more information about Professional Services projects with Baltimore County? A. Upcoming Professional Services projects are now advertised online, and you can also subscribe to receive the upcoming projects notice via e-mail. In order to participate in the Professional Service projects, there is a pre-qualification process for contracts for County agencies, including architecture, landscape architecture, engineering or land survey. The results of project selections will also be available online for your convenience. Back to top Q. How do I find a list of pre-qualified consultants? A. A list of pre-qualified consultants is available on-line online. Back to top Q. What is Vendor Self-Service? A. Vendor Self Service is a component of the County’s new Enterprise System. This module gives the vendor the ability to register to do business with the County and maintain their vendor profile via the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Back to top Q. What are the benefits of Vendor Self-Service? A. The immediate benefit for vendors that are currently under contract with the County is that it allows the vendor to update and maintain their vendor profile at any time day or night to ensure continuity of payments. However, future benefits as we continue to phase in the program will be the ability for vendors to receive solicitation notification of goods and services in their specific area of interest using the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) commodity codes, and the ability to respond to solicitations using the Web. Back to top Q. Should a vendor identify the specific NIGP codes in their profile when they register now? A. Yes now is a good time to start identifying the specific commodity codes in your area of interest. A vendor can add multiple codes to their profile. It may be advantageous to start building the profile out now so it will take affect immediately once the solicitation notification and electronic bidding processes are phased in. Back to top Q. Is there a vendor registration fee? A. No, Vendor Self-Service is a free online registration system. Back to top Q. How long does it take to register? A. The registration process may take about 30 minutes provided you have all of your information available to begin. Additional commodity codes can be added at any time. Back to top Q. What does a vendor need to register? A. Address of Company Headquarters, Employer Identification number (EIN)/ Federal Tax ID number (TIN), Legal Business name, Contact Information (name, address, email, phone and fax) for Headquarters, Ordering (location where solicitations are to be sent), and Payment Description of the goods and services you offer. Back to top Return to Purchasing and Disbursement Section Home 
Revised November 6, 2009
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