Purchasing Services

The Division of Purchasing Services aims to optimize resources, foster healthy competition and meet the needs of internal and external stakeholders, in addition to:

• Ensuring that the procurement process in Baltimore County Government is carried out efficiently and effectively and that it conforms to the highest ethical standards in the industry.
• Providing insight into the County's procurement processes outlining how and what the County buys, methods used and items that have an impact on the award processes and Purchasing staff.
• Subscribing to the Code of Ethics of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. and is a charter member of the Maryland Public Purchasing Association.
• Administering over 1,600 supplier contracts and has issued approximately 30,000 purchase orders

The Division's core values include integrity, equity, transparency and accountability.

Online Bidding and Vendor Management Coming to Baltimore County in Spring 2025 

The Baltimore County Division of Purchasing Services has partnered with OpenGov and is excited to announce our transition to a fully automated web-based electronic bidding and vendor management system. The system is tentatively scheduled for a Spring 2025 launch. 

Our new portal will allow prospective vendors and suppliers the ability to:

• Register to receive notifications of future opportunities by signing up for our new e-Procurement Portal and selecting the “Subscribe” button to create an account.
• Follow along with updates to existing opportunities by finding the opportunity and clicking the “Follow” button. This allows all interested bidders to receive amendments and addenda automatically.
• Submit questions and receive answers online regarding open bid opportunities.
• Use a guided process of responding electronically to bids to ensure your bids have been accurately completed.
• Receive timely support for bid questions.
• Have one location for all bid opportunities issued by Baltimore County.

Subscribe to Receive Bid Notifications

To continue to receive bid notifications, subscribe to Baltimore County in our new OpenGov e-Procurement Portal. There is no cost for vendors to register.

Subscribe Now

OpenGov will send you an email to activate your account, so please check your inbox. You can also subscribe to our bids by visiting the OpenGov e-Procurement Portal and clicking the “Subscribe” button. Find more information about how to register and other helpful vendor guides.

The County will use NIGP codes for commodity lines on solicitations. Please review the support article for setting up category codes and notification preferences. 

ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

The Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) oversees the procurement process for all engineering and construction projects.

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY

The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is responsible for managing the County’s Supplier Diversity Program. The Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program (MWBE) was established to enhance participation in County contracts and aims to increase the involvement of certified MBE and WBE firms. The County's objective is to allocate 23 percent of all discretionary spending in County procurements to MBE and WBE certified firms in a fiscal year. Learn more about opportunities for businesses in the private sector.

PROCUREMENT METHODS 

Learn more about how the County makes purchases and important terminology.

Non-competitive procurements

• 902F—A noncompetitive award based upon a vendor having a product or service with unique qualities, functions or features that would serve the best interests of the County (compatibility with existing systems/equipment, professional expert, etc.)
• Cooperative Purchase—A joint or multiple party, competitively bid procurement with public or private purchasing units for commodities, services or capital improvements that would benefit the County, and open-ended contracts which are made available to local purchasing units. In each instance, the County shall have its own separate and distinct contract from the other parties.
• Emergency—The necessity for the immediate purchase of commodities or services essential to protect the life, health or safety of the public.
• Sole Source—A noncompetitive award for a particular commodity or service which can only be purchased from one supplier or for which only one source exists, therefore any attempt to obtain bids would only result in that supplier bidding on it.

LOGISTICS 

The Logistics Division contributes to the success of the Division of Purchasing Services via:

• Seamless contract and supplier management

• Completing market trends analyses to ensure supplier contracts are fair, equitable and the best available for Baltimore County

• Ensure that the pre-purchasing process, post-procurement activities, inventory auditing and contract administration functions meet the needs of Baltimore County

  • Ensures that the vendors doing business with Baltimore County maintain performance and compliance terms as stated in supplier contracts

  • Assisting in obtaining the best contract terms available through analyzing market trends and current market pricing

  • Auditing various inventories throughout Baltimore County agencies to make sure levels are appropriate to keep costs low and prevent waste

ABout the CONTRACT RENEWAL AND RESOLICITATION PROCESS

The purpose of the contract and resolicit/renewal process is to notify all stakeholders of the time frame that is required to ensure that the Division of Purchasing Services has ample time to successfully resolicit or renew all contracts. 

Tips for a successful renewal or a new award, include but are not limited to:

• In good standing with State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)

• In compliance with MBE/WBE requirements, if applicable

• In compliance with Prevailing Wage and Local Hiring requirements, if applicable

• Procurement affidavit completed in its entirety

• Current Certificate of Insurance

For questions, email purchasinglogistics@baltimorecountymd.gov.