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1. How can I find out what goods/services are currently being solicited by Calvert County Government?

The Procurement Office advertises all solicitations on the State of Maryland’s bidding website, eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA), which is free to all vendors. Registration is not required but in order to automatically receive bid notifications by email, vendors must register with on the eMMA website.

Additionally, formal bids are also  advertised for two consecutive weeks in at least two local newspapers and on Calvert County Government's Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd/.

2. Are there additional business related services offered by the county to assist my business?

The Calvert County Department of Economic Development offers a number of services to support and encourage entrepreneurship and business development. For more information about the no-charge business services available to Calvert County business owners visit www.ecalvert.com or email.

3. How can my company obtain Calvert County Government’s current bids?

Once your company is registered on eMaryland Marketplace Advantage as a vendor, you automatically receive email notifications of available bids, based on commodity codes. Since all Maryland State and Local agencies utilize this service, it will broaden your opportunity to provide goods and services statewide.

4. How can my company obtain a bid package?

Once registered as a vendor, with your specific commodity codes, eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) will email you with the link to view more detailed information on that particular bid. You will then be able to download the detailed bid package.

5. Does Calvert County charge a fee for their bid packages?

Generally no fee is charged for bid packages; however, there are times that fees may be required. The fee covers the direct cost of printing the bid package and/or blueprints.

6. Can I just stop by and introduce my company and myself to someone in the Procurement Office or do you take appointments?

It is preferred that vendors contact the Procurement Office to make an appointment. This allows staff to dedicate uninterrupted time to the vendor to make their presentation.

7. What is the difference between offline and online bidding?

Offline bidding refers to mailing or hand delivery of sealed formal bids directly to the Procurement Office. This is the current Calvert County Government procedure, we do not accept on-line bids.

Online bidding is an electronic filing of a bid through the eMaryland Marketplace  Advantage website. The online bidding format on eMaryland Marketplace Advantage is not conducive with Calvert County Government’s sealed formal bidding document requirements.

8. What is the difference between informal and formal bids?

A bid is created to procure a service or commodity need to serve the citizens of Calvert County.   

An Informal bid is created when a service or commodity is needed, and it is determined the total cost will be less than $30,000 per fiscal year. Usually, these bids are in the form of a Request for Quote (RFQ). 

A formal bid is created when a service or commodity's estimated cost is more than $30,000 per fiscal year. These bids are usually in the form of an Invitation to Bid (ITB) or Request for Proposal (RFP).