BPW's Role in Procurement
Overview
The Board controls procurement by most State agencies (including the direct review and approval of most State contracts exceeding $200,000); adopts regulations (COMAR Title 21); sets procurement policy; and establishes internal operational procedures. Board operations are directed by the Executive Secretary with the Board’s Procurement Advisor and General Counsel serving statutorily delineated duties.
Agencies with Jurisdiction Over State Procurement
State Treasurer may engage in or control procurement of: banking, financial services, insurance, and insurance services.
Department of General Services may engage in or control procurement of: real property leases, commodities and supplies, services, construction and construction-related services, leases of motor vehicles, information processing equipment and associated services, telecommunications equipment, systems, or services, and architectural and engineering services.
Department of Transportation and the Maryland Transportation Authority may engage in procurement of: Transportation-related construction and construction services, transportation-related architectural and engineering services, rolling stock and other property peculiar to a transit system, and supplies and services for aeronautics-related activities.
Maryland Port Commission may engage in procurement of: supplies and services for port-related activities, construction and construction-related services for a port facility, port-related architectural and engineering services, and leases of real property for port-related activities unless lease payments are from the General Fund.
Procurement Improvement Council
The General Assembly established the 22-member Procurement Improvement Council to provide a forum for discussion of procurement issues and problems. The Council advises the Board of Public Works on the procurement process and makes recommendations for improving State procurements. The Council meets at least quarterly each year. The membership of the Procurement Improvement Council includes:
- The State Treasurer
- The State Comptroller
- The Attorney General
- The Procurement Advisor of the Board
- The Chancellor of the University System of Maryland
- The Chief Procurement Officer
- The Secretary of Information Technology
- The Secretary of Transportation
- The Special Secretary for the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs
- The Secretary of Juvenile Services
- The Secretary of Human Services
- The Secretary of Health
- The State Superintendent of Schools
- A representative of local government who has expertise in local procurement matters
- Two representatives of social service providers in the State
- A representative of a minority–, women–, or veteran–owned business
- Three members of the general public appointed by the presiding officers of the General Assembly
- A member of the Senate
- A member of the House of Delegates