BCPS Office of Purchasing
Focused on Quality; Committed to Excellence

• Strives to obtain the most cost-effective quality goods and services for the students and taxpayers of Baltimore County, Maryland.
  
• Treats vendors in a fair and equitable manner.
  
• Honors confidentiality of pricing, terms and conditions in researching products or services.
  
• Provides accessibility of historical bids to vendors.
  
• Fosters a business environment which encourages minority and small business vendor participation.
  
• Administers centralized purchasing activities of the school system:
  
• Issues bids and quotes for supplies, materials, equipment, contracted services, food/cafeteria equipment, vehicles, fuel oil and gasoline.
  
• Encourage schools/offices to purchase products from established contracts.
  
• Assure that all purchases meet appropriate local, state and federal safety and health standards.
  
• Administer contracts, agreements and leases.

Operations and Grounds

The Office of Purchasing coordinates and issues all bids for custodial services, products, grounds care and maintenance.

Purchasing Regulations

Purchasing transactions are conducted in accordance with the Annotated Code of Maryland, Education, Article #5-112, and the policies and rules of the Board of Education of Baltimore County.

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SBE / MBE

The Office of Purchasing, in cooperation with the BCPS MBE Liaison and the Division of Physical Facilities, administers procedures to facilitate the increase of small and minority business enterprises. It is the intent of BCPS to achieve a goal of 14% of the total value of all contracts to be made to Small Business Enterprises and certified Minority Business Enterprises, either directly or indirectly. A minority business enterprise is defined as any legal entity, other than a joint venture, organized to engage in commercial transactions, and which is (1) at least 51% owned and/or controlled by one or more minority interest persons, or (2) a non-profit entity organized to promote the interests of the physically or mentally disabled. Minority groups identified are: African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, American Indians, Women, and Physically or Mentally disabled Individuals. A certified minority business enterprise is a minority business that holds a certification issued by the Maryland State Department of Transportation or other recognized municipality or minority association. A small business enterprise is defined as a business with fewer than 50 employees which generates an annual revenue less than $10 million dollars.

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Construction/Renovations

Bids for building construction or renovation are issued by two methods. The Office of Purchasing issues specifications for projects with a define scope, specifications and drawings. Sealed bids are opened in a public meeting and a recommendation for an award of contract is subsequently presented to the Board of Education. A listing of the solicitations currently available are noted within the website and may be found on the Bidder's Hotline, (410) 887- 7819.

Building Maintenance

Bids for routine building maintenance, goods, services and special projects are issued by the Office of Purchasing. (Examples include roof replacement and repair/painting/glazing, asbestos abatement, HVAC maintenance and scheduled service systems.) Individual projects under $25,000 in value are combined through annual contracted services or supply bids.

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