Maryland public works bidding requirements
Summary of record
- Competitive bidding threshold (public work)
- Competitive sealed bidding
- Governing statute
- State Finance & Procurement Article
- Award standard
- Lowest responsive and responsible bidder
- Multiple-prime required?
- No statewide mandate
- Prevailing wage
- $250,000+ (state-funded)
- Addenda distribution
- To all prospective bidders
Competitive bidding threshold
Maryland procures public construction through competitive sealed bidding under the State Finance and Procurement Article; each public body sets its own small-procurement limit below which simplified procedures apply.
Confirm the specific agency's small-procurement limit — Maryland sets the method centrally, but dollar limits vary by public body.
Award standard
Contracts go to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Multiple-prime contracts
Maryland has no statewide multiple-prime mandate. Unlike New York's Wicks Law or Pennsylvania's Separations Act, a single general contract is permitted.
Prevailing wage
Maryland's prevailing-wage law applies to construction valued at $250,000 or more when the contracting body is a state unit, or a political subdivision where the state funds 25% or more of the project.1 Wage determinations are issued per county and Baltimore City, effective one year.
Document distribution & addenda
Maryland DOT SHA GP-2.09 requires any materially effective response to bidder questions to be made by written addenda or written notice sent to all prospective bidders.3
Record of change
Maryland requires prevailing wage on construction of $250,000 or more that is state-funded (or 25%+ state-funded for a political subdivision), with county-level wage determinations updated annually.
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Verified
Added document-distribution source: Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials, GP-2.09.
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Verified
Page created and verified against the Maryland Division of Labor & Industry prevailing-wage program.
Sources
- 1. MD Division of Labor and Industry — Prevailing wage for state-funded construction. labor.maryland.gov
- 2. MD Division of Labor and Industry — Prevailing wage — frequently asked questions. labor.maryland.gov
- 3. Maryland DOT State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) — Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials, GP-2.09. roads.maryland.gov
Frequently asked
- Does Maryland require prevailing wages on public works?
- Yes, on construction valued at $250,000 or more when the contracting body is a state unit, or a political subdivision where the state funds 25% or more of the project.
- How is public works construction procured in Maryland?
- By competitive sealed bidding under the State Finance and Procurement Article; each public body sets its own small-procurement limit for simplified purchases.
- Does Maryland require multiple-prime contracts?
- No. Maryland has no statewide multiple-prime mandate, unlike New York (Wicks Law) or Pennsylvania (Separations Act).
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