The County only considers prequalified firms for professional engineering, architecture, landscape architecture and surveying services. The County prequalifies firms annually. For more information, see Professional Services Prequalification.
A firm (prime, sub-consultant or joint venture) that is not prequalified may submit prequalification forms up to, and including, the deadline for submittal for a specific project. However, firms must submit prequalification forms separately from project submittals. Firms that submit prequalification forms with a project submittal run the risk of being eliminated from the project due to an incorrect prequalification submittal. We strongly suggest early prequalification.
Prequalified firms that wish to be considered for selection must submit a separate Standard form SF255 (PDF) (Architect-Engineer Qualifications) in response to each project, as advertised. Where the word "Federal" or "Government" is used on the form, it shall be construed to mean "County".
Important Notice: Original signatures are required on the SF255 (PDF).
Subconsultants
Subconsultants specializing in engineering, architecture, landscape architecture and surveying must prequalify. Subconsultants who do not specialize in those disciplines do not need to and cannot prequalify. All subconsultants specialties must be clearly stated in the SF255 (PDF) form, block 6.
Joint Ventures
All firms within a joint venture must be prequalified if they will be performing engineering, architecture, landscape architecture or surveying.
Minority Business Enterprises Requirements
It is the policy of Baltimore County, Maryland that minority business enterprises and women owned businesses shall have the maximum opportunity to participate in performance of contracts financed in whole or part by County funds for projects values in excess of $50,000. For more information, see Minority Participation Information.
Prequalified firms wishing to be considered for selection must also submit separate forms with the SF255 (PDF) form. The following four (4) forms must be submitted.
If the firm feels that it cannot achieve these goals, then they must complete the Minority Consultant / Architectural Unavailability Certificate (PDF) form. This information will be reviewed and approved by the County's MBE office.
Do not fax or e-mail the submittal packages. Please mail or deliver 2 unbound copies of the entire package of required materials (with original signatures) before the date and time indicated in the advertisement to:
Chief of Design
Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Room 219
County Office Building
111 West Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
Important Notice: Late submittals will be considered nonresponsive and will not be evaluated or considered.
An evaluation report is generated by County Staff. The report includes a description of each consultant's experience in various categories associated with the type of work solicited and a tabulation (matrix) of qualifications.
Another table, examining prior work fees, is generated to list those firms and fees awarded in new agreements or addenda by County Council in the previous year from the date the expressions of interest were due. The amount of prior work can be a factor in the selection.
The Professional Services Selection Committee (PSSC) members review this report and at the next PSSC meeting, use the qualification matrix along with the prior work table to select the #1 firm (for design projects) or multiple firms (for on-call projects). Alternate firm(s) are selected in case an agreement cannot be negotiated with the first choice(s).
All firms submitting are then notified of the selections. The Chief of Design will then proceed along with the project manager to negotiate a fee for the project, which will be sent to County Council and become prior work. The entire process from advertisement to start of design is approximately 8 months to a year depending upon workload.
De-briefings may be by special appointment, as time permits, by contacting the Chief of Design at 410-887-3793.
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Revised November 16, 2006
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