# State Finance and Procurement (GSF)

## Title 10A. Public-Private Partnerships

### Subtitle 2. Solicited Proposals

#### Section 10A-202

(a) If a reporting agency intends to establish a public-private partnership under Sec. 10A-103 of this title, the reporting agency shall issue a public notice of solicitation for the public-private partnership.

(b)

  (1) A private entity may be qualified as a bidder through a request for qualifications.

  (2) After a bidder is qualified and at any time before the award of the public-private partnership agreement, a reporting agency may engage in discussions with qualified bidders.

  (3) These discussions may be held to:

    (i) obtain comments and make revisions to solicitation documents;

    (ii) obtain the best value for the State; and

    (iii) ensure full understanding of:

      (1) the requirements of the State, as set forth in the request for proposals; and

      (2) the proposal submitted by the bidder.

(c) For any private entity that responds to the public notice of solicitation, a reporting agency shall make a responsibility determination.

(d) If a private entity is composed of multiple subentities or partners, the reporting agency shall make a responsibility determination for each subentity or partner owning 20% or more of the entity.

(e) Any changes in the ownership composition of a public-private partnership, as described in subsection (d) of this section, require:

  (1) a responsibility determination;

  (2) 45 days' notice to the budget committees; and

  (3) approval by the Board of Public Works.

(f)

  (1) A reporting agency may reimburse a private entity for the portion of the entity's costs incurred in response to the solicitation of a public-private partnership.

  (2) A reporting agency shall adopt regulations that establish the process for reimbursing a private entity under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

  (3) Regulations adopted under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall:

    (i) provide for the reimbursement of a private entity based on the dollar value of a project, the value of any work product received from the private entity, or any other method for calculating such reimbursement; and

    (ii) specify a maximum dollar amount that a reporting agency may reimburse a private entity for costs incurred under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

  (4) A reporting agency may pay a private entity that submits an unsuccessful proposal for the right to use the private entity's work product.

  (5) A reporting agency may not reimburse a private entity for any portion of the costs incurred to develop a response to a public notice of solicitation if:

    (i) the private entity enters into a public-private partnership agreement with the reporting agency; and

    (ii) the public-private partnership agreement entered into under item (i) of this paragraph is approved by the Board of Public Works.

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Md. Code Ann., State Fin. & Proc. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)