<subtitle num="01" heading="Office of the Secretary"> <chapter num="01" heading="Public Information Requests"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="General."> <text>These regulations set out procedures for filing requests with the Department of General Services for the inspection and copying of records under State Government Article, §§10-611—10-630, Annotated Code of Maryland. It is the policy of the Department to facilitate public access to the records of the Department, when that access is allowed by law, by minimizing costs and time delays to persons requesting information.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Definitions."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>“Act” means State Government Article, §§10-611—10-630, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>“Applicant” means a person requesting disclosure of public records.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>“Custodian” means an authorized person employed by the Department having personal custody and control of public records of the Department.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>“Department” means the Department of General Services.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="E."> <text>“Official custodian” means the person who is responsible for the maintenance, care, and keeping of the public records of the Department. Unless otherwise provided by law, the Secretary is the official custodian of the Department's records.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="F."> <text>“Public records” means all paper, correspondence, forms, books, photographs, photostats, films, microfilms, sound recordings, maps, drawings, or other written documents, regardless of physical form or characteristics. Public records includes all copies made or received by the Department in connection with the transaction of public business and includes the salaries of all employees of the Department.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="G."> <text>“Secretary” means the Secretary of General Services.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="H."> <text>“Working day” means a day other than Saturday, Sunday, or State holiday.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="I."> <text>“Written documents” means all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, computerized records, and other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Who May Request."> <text>Any person may request to inspect or copy public records of the Department.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Necessity for Written Request."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Inspections.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this regulation, the custodian shall generally make public records available for inspection by an applicant without demanding a written request.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>The custodian shall require a written request if the custodian reasonably believes that the Act, or any other law, may prevent the disclosure of the record to the applicant, or that a written request will materially assist the Department in responding to the request.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Copies. If the applicant is requesting a copy of any public record, the custodian may require a written request by the applicant.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Contents of Written Request."> <text>A written request shall contain the applicant's name and address, shall be signed by the applicant, and shall reasonably identify by brief description the record sought.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Filing Written Request."> <text>A written request shall be addressed to the custodian of the record. If the custodian is unknown to the applicant, the request may be addressed to the Secretary.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Response to Written Request."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>If the custodian decides to grant a written request for inspection, he shall produce the record for inspection immediately or within a reasonable period, not to exceed 30 days from the date of the request when that period of time is needed to retrieve the information.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>If the custodian decides to deny the written request, he shall do so within 30 days of the written request and immediately upon deciding to deny the request, notify the applicant of the denial.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>If a requested public record is not in the custody or control of the person to whom written application is made, that person shall, within 10 working days of the receipt of the request, so notify the applicant. If that person knows the name of the custodian of the record or the location or possible location of the record, this information shall also be given to the applicant.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>With the consent of the applicant, any time limit imposed by §§A—C, of this regulation, may be extended for an additional period not to exceed 30 days.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" heading="Notification of Persons Who May be Affected By Disclosure."> <text>Unless prohibited by law, the custodian may notify any person who could be adversely affected by disclosure of a record to the applicant that a request for inspection or copying of the record has been made. The custodian may consider the views of that person before deciding whether to disclose the record to the applicant.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" heading="Records Temporarily Unavailable."> <text>If a requested public record is in the custody and control of the person to whom written application is made but is not immediately available for inspection or copying, the custodian shall, within 10 working days of the receipt of the request, so notify the applicant and set a date and hour within a reasonable time for inspection or copying.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".10" heading="Records Destroyed or Lost."> <text>If a requested record has been destroyed or lost, the custodian to whom the application is made shall, within 10 working days of the request, notify the applicant of this fact and explain in the response the reasons why the record cannot be produced.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".11" heading="Review of the Denial."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>If a written request is denied by the custodian for a reason other than that the record is temporarily unavailable, the applicant may, within 30 days after receipt of the notice of the denial, request an administrative hearing.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>If the applicant requests a hearing, the hearing shall be conducted by a hearing officer designated by the Secretary and the hearing shall be governed by State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2. After the hearing, the hearing officer shall prepare a recommended decision for the Secretary. The Secretary shall issue the final decision of the Department.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>If the hearing results in a total or partial denial of the written request, the applicant may file an appropriate action in the circuit court under §10-623 of the Act.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>If the applicant chooses not to request a hearing under §A, above, the applicant may file an action for judicial enforcement under §10-623 of the Act without exhausting that administrative remedy.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".12" heading="Disclosure Against Public Interest."> <text>If, in the opinion of the official custodian, disclosure of any public record that is otherwise required to be disclosed under the Act would do substantial injury to the public interest, the official custodian may temporarily deny the request in writing and apply within 10 working days of the denial to the appropriate circuit court for an order permitting continued denial or restriction of access. Notice of the application filed with the circuit court shall be served on the applicant in the same manner that is provided for service of process by the Maryland Rules of Procedure.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".13" heading="Fees."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The fee schedule for copying and certifying copies of records is as follows:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Copies. The fee for each copy is 25 cents per page if reproduction is made by a photocopying machine within the Department. If records are not susceptible to photocopying, for example, punch cards, magnetic tapes, blueprints, and microfilm, the fee for copies will be based on the actual cost of reproduction.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Certification of Copies. If a person requests that a copy of a record be certified as a true copy, an additional fee of $1 per page shall be charged.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Minimum Fee Charged. A charge will not be made if the total amount of the fee would be $1 or less.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Notwithstanding §A, of this regulation, if the fees for copies, printouts, photographs, or certified copies of any record are specifically prescribed by a law other than the Act or this regulation, the prescribed fee shall be charged.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>If the custodian is unable to copy a record within the Department, the custodian shall make arrangements for the prompt reproduction of the record at public or private facilities outside the Department. The custodian shall either collect from the applicant a fee to cover the actual cost of reproduction or direct the applicant to pay the cost of reproduction directly to the facility making the copy.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>Before copying a record, the custodian shall estimate the cost of reproduction and either obtain the agreement of the applicant to pay the cost or demand prepayment of any estimated fee before reproducing the record.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="E."> <text>Except as provided in §F, of this regulation, the official custodian may charge reasonable fees for official or employee time expended searching for requested records or for any time expended preparing records for inspection and copying.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="F."> <text>The official custodian may not charge any search or preparation fee for the first 2 hours of official or employee time that is needed to respond to a request for information.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="G."> <text>Upon request, the official custodian may waive or reduce any fee charged pursuant to this regulation if the custodian determines that the waiver or reduction is in the public interest. The official custodian shall consider, among other relevant factors, the ability of the applicant to pay the cost or fee.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="H."> <text>If the applicant requests that copies be mailed or delivered to the applicant, the custodian may charge the applicant for the cost of postage or delivery to the applicant.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".14" heading="Time of Inspection."> <text>An applicant may inspect any public record that he is entitled to inspect during the normal working hours of the Department.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".15" heading="Place of Inspection."> <text>The place of inspection shall be the place where the document is located unless the custodian, after taking into account the applicant's expressed wish, determines that another place of inspection is more suitable and convenient.</text> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">State Government Article, §§10-611—10-630, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: January 30, 1975 (2:4 Md. R. 222)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Chapter recodified from COMAR 04.03.01 to 04.01.01</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Chapter repealed effective July 1, 1981 (8:13 Md. R. II-5)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Chapter adopted effective November 9, 1982 (9:22 Md. R. 2196)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .13A amended effective October 31, 2011 (38:22 Md. R. 1344)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> <chapter num="02" heading="Petition for Promulgation, Amendment, or Repeal of Regulations"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Who May File."> <text>Any interested person may file a petition with the Secretary to adopt a new regulation under the laws administered by the Department of General Services or the amendment or repeal of any existing regulation issued under those laws.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Form."> <text>The petition shall be submitted in writing and shall provide the following information:</text> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The full text of a proposed regulation or regulations.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>The identification and the full text of an existing regulation or regulations, as proposed to be amended, indicating proposed changes.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>The identification of the regulation or regulations for which repeal is sought.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>A statement in support of the proposal made. This statement shall:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Make reference to the statutory basis for the proposal, including, when appropriate, judicial and administrative interpretations of the statute or statutes in question;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Include specific objections to existing regulations, practices, or interpretations; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Set forth the policy considerations which support adoption of the proposal.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="E."> <text>A statement describing in detail the interest of the petitioner in making the proposal. This description shall include a statement as to whether the proposal is intended to affect the consequences of any transaction or transactions entered into or contemplated by the petitioner, its vendors, customers, clients, or any person upon whose request or upon whose behalf the proposal is made, which are known by the petitioner to be the subject of an inquiry of the Department of General Services and shall contain an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the inquiry, if any.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Submission, Consideration, and Disposition."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Within 60 days after submission of a petition, the Secretary of the Department of General Services shall either deny the petition in writing, stating the reasons for the denial, or initiate rule-making proceedings.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>If a petition is denied, another petition substantially the same as the one denied within the past 6 months will not be accepted for review unless circumstances, as determined solely by the Department, warrant otherwise.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">State Government Article, § 10-123, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: November 9, 1982 (9:22 Md. R. 2196)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> <chapter num="03" heading="Petition for Declaratory Ruling"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Who May File."> <text>Any interested person may file with the Secretary of the Department of General Services a petition for a declaratory ruling with respect to the applicability to any person, property, or state of facts of the laws administered by the Department and regulations set forth in Title 04 of COMAR.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Form."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>A petition for declaratory ruling shall be filed in writing and clearly marked to indicate that it is being filed pursuant to this regulation. It shall contain a detailed statement of the facts on which the petition is based, shall set forth fully the statutes, regulations, or judicial decisions relevant to the issue, and shall pose the question of whether, and in what manner, the statutes, regulations, or judicial decisions apply to the petitioner under the facts outlined in the petition.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>In addition, the petition shall contain a statement describing in detail the interest of the petitioner in making the request for the declaratory ruling. This description shall include a statement as to whether the declaratory ruling sought is intended to affect the consequences of any transaction or transactions entered into or contemplated by the petitioner, its vendors, customers, clients, or any person upon whose request or upon whose behalf the declaratory ruling is sought, which are known by the petitioner to be the subject of an inquiry of the Department of General Services and shall contain an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the inquiry, if any.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Consideration and Disposition."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The Secretary shall consider the petition and may, at his discretion, issue the declaratory ruling requested. The Secretary may require argument on the petition. Any declaratory ruling issued shall plainly state that it is a declaratory ruling pursuant to this regulation. A written answer from the Secretary or any employee of the Department to an inquiry may not be construed to be a declaratory ruling unless made in conformity with this regulation.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>As to the petitioner, a declaratory ruling shall be binding upon the Secretary as to any transaction covered thereby, entered into before the date of the declaratory ruling, and any transaction entered into in reliance upon the declaratory ruling unless, after the issuance of the declaratory ruling and before any affected transaction, a change in the legal basis of the declaratory ruling is made by statute, regulation, or judicial decision. With prospective effect only, a declaratory ruling may be revoked, altered, or amended by the Secretary, at any time.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>The Secretary may publish declaratory rulings of general interest, subject to protection of the identity of the petitioner and any confidential information contained in the petition for declaratory ruling.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">State Government Article, §10-304, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: November 9, 1982 (9:22 Md. R. 2196)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> <chapter num="04" heading="Personal Records"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="General."> <text>These regulations set out procedures which govern the form and method for submission of an annual report to the Department of General Services which describes personal records kept by a unit or instrumentality of the State government.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Definitions."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The following terms have the meanings indicated.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Terms Defined.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>“Personal record” means a public record that names or, with reasonable certainty, otherwise identifies an individual by an identifying factor such as:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>An address;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>A description;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>A finger or voice print;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>A number; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(e)"> <text>A picture.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>“Secretary” means the Secretary of General Services or the Secretary's designee.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Annual Report."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>A unit or instrumentality of the State government which keeps personal records shall submit an annual report to the Secretary.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>This regulation does not apply to a:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Unit in the Legislative branch of State government;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Unit in the Judicial branch of State government; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Board of license commissioners.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>The annual report shall state:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The name of the unit or instrumentality;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>For each set of the personal records:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>The name,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>The location, and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>If a subunit keeps the set, the name of the subunit;</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>For each set of personal records that has not been previously reported:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>The category of individuals to whom the set applies,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>A brief description of the types of information the set contains,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>The major uses and purposes of the information,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>By category, the source of information for the set, and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(e)"> <text>The policies and procedures of the unit or instrumentality as to access and challenges to the personal record by the person in interest and storage, retrieval, retention, disposal, and security, including controls on access;</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>For each set of personal records that has been disposed of or changed significantly since the unit or instrumentality last submitted a report, the information required under §C(3) of this regulation.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>A unit or instrumentality that has two or more sets of personal records may combine the personal records in the report only if the character of the personal records is highly similar.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Form and Method of Reporting Personal Records."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The Secretary shall develop and issue forms and instructions annually which enable units and instrumentalities of State government, other than those identified in Regulation .03B, to comply with the requirements of this chapter.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>The Secretary shall request, by June 1 of each year, a fiscal year annual report of personal records. The report shall be due within 60 days of the Secretary's request.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Public Inspection."> <text>The Secretary shall make the annual report available for public inspection in accordance with COMAR 04.01.01.</text> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">State Government Article, §10-624 Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: Regulations .01—.05 effective October 6, 1986 (13:20 Md. R. 2207)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> <chapter num="05" heading="Public-Private Partnership Program"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Purpose."> <text>The purpose of this chapter is to:</text> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Establish a Department of General Services Public-Private Partnership Program (Program) to enhance the State’s non-transit infrastructure assets; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Describe and provide a process for the development, solicitation, evaluation, award, and delivery of Public-Private Partnerships in the Department’s Program.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Scope."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>In accordance with State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-101 (g)(1), Annotated Code of Maryland, the Department is a reporting agency that may establish Public-Private Partnerships and execute Public-Private Partnership agreements in connection with any public infrastructure assets for which it is responsible.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Within the Department, the Secretary may establish a Public-Private Partnership operational unit and/or designate an employee of the Department to administer the Department’s Program.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Definitions."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Terms Defined.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>“Budget Committees” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>“Department” means the Department of General Services.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>“Industry forum” means a pre-solicitation information gathering event that may include public and private sector participants.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>“Industry review meeting” means a meeting during the solicitation process with shortlisted private entities.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>“Internal sponsor” means the senior manager or executive staff member of the Department of General Services that will serve as the primary support, or advocate, for the proposed project being submitted for consideration.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(6)"> <text>“Multi-step solicitation process” means a Public-Private Partnership solicitation process that includes some or all of the following steps:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Issuance of a Request for Information (RFI);</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Issuance of a request for qualifications;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Pre-proposal conference;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>Issuance of a draft request for proposals;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(e)"> <text>Industry review meetings; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(f)"> <text>Issuance of a final request for proposals.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(7)"> <text>“Private entity” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(8)"> <text>“Program” means the structure, process, methodology, and terms and conditions applicable to the Department’s development, solicitation, evaluation, award, and delivery of non-transit public infrastructure assets for which it is responsible in accordance with State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(9)"> <text>“Project Committee” is the Public-Private Infrastructure Project Committee established to advise the Secretary on the structure and implementation of the Department’s Public-Private Partnership Program and comprised of Department and other State employees identified by the Secretary.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(10)"> <text>“Public infrastructure asset” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(11)"> <text>“Public notice of solicitation” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(12)"> <text>“Public-Private Partnership” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(13)"> <text>“Public-Private Partnership candidate concept application” means the documentation that must be submitted to the Project Committee to initiate and inform a high-level review of a Public-Private concept generated from within the Department, or by other State agencies.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(14)"> <text>“Reporting agency” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(15)"> <text>“Responsibility determination” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(16)"> <text>“Secretary” means the Secretary of the Department of General Services.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(17)"> <text>“Shortlisted private entity” means a private entity that has been both qualified based on its response to a request for qualifications and selected as one of the highest qualified private entities, allowing them to continue in the solicitation process.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Public-Private Infrastructure Project Committee."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The Project Committee is established to advise the Secretary on the structure and implementation of the Department’s Program, including, but not limited to the following:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Identification of potential Public-Private Partnership opportunities for screening;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Screening of Public-Private Partnership opportunities, including both high-level and detailed-level;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Prioritization of Public-Private Partnership opportunities for solicitation;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>Developing pre-solicitation and solicitation plans and processes for Public-Private Partnership opportunities;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>Ongoing monitoring of Public-Private Partnerships; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(6)"> <text>Coordination and communication with other State reporting agencies.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>The Project Committee shall be comprised of Department and other State employees as identified by the Secretary.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>The Project Committee shall be chaired by a Department employee.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Project Identification Process."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Public-Private Partnership concepts and opportunities may be identified within the Department and through other State, regional, local, and municipal processes.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Potential Public-Private Partnership concepts and opportunities may be identified through periodic planning, communication, and evaluation processes that are carried out within the Department and through other state, regional, local, and municipal processes.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Public-Private Partnership Candidate Concept Application.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>To initiate a high-level review, screening, and policy analysis of a proposed Public-Private Partnership concept or opportunity, a Public-Private Partnership Candidate Concept Application shall be submitted to the Project Committee chair by an Assistant Secretary, designated as an Internal Sponsor.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>A Public-Private Partnership Candidate Concept Application may be submitted at any time, and may be supplemented with additional information as needed.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Relevant supporting information or documentation shall be included in the submission of the Public-Private Partnership Candidate Concept Application, and to the extent such information is available, shall include but is not limited to:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Preliminary ideas of Public-Private Partnership scope, schedule, and project lifecycle considerations;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Preliminary qualitative evaluation of relevant benefits and cost;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>Preliminary description of financial concepts;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iv)"> <text>Rationale for a Public-Private Partnership delivery method relative to a conventional project delivery approach; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(v)"> <text>Additional information, as necessary, to support a high-level screening process, as outlined in Regulation .06.C(1) of this chapter.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>The format and required contents of the Public-Private Partnership Candidate Concept Application shall be:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Developed by the Project Committee;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Approved by the Secretary; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>Updated by the Project Committee as needed.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Unsolicited Proposals.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>In accordance with State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-301, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Department shall be permitted to accept, reject, or evaluate unsolicited proposals for Public-Private Partnerships that will assist the Department in implementing its functions in a manner consistent with State policy.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>An unsolicited proposal may be submitted at any time.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>An unsolicited proposal shall:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Be sealed and delivered to the Secretary’s Office to the attention of the Project Committee chair bearing the private entity’s name, address, and the words “Public-Private Partnership Unsolicited Proposal” clearly on the outside; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Consist of five hard copies and one electronic copy.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>Unsolicited Informational Meetings.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Private entities may request meetings with the Department to discuss potential unsolicited proposals prior to submission.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Requests for unsolicited informational meetings shall be submitted to the Project Committee chair.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>The Department may, but is not required to, schedule informal meetings in response to a request.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>During unsolicited informational meetings, the Department may, but is not required to, provide verbal feedback and comments to the private entity.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(e)"> <text>The primary purpose of unsolicited informational meetings shall be to avoid private entities spending unnecessary time and resources on the development of unsolicited proposals that do not directly meet the State’s public infrastructure needs.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(f)"> <text>A formal review and screening of an unsolicited proposal shall be undertaken only after a private entity completes the formal submission process.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>An unsolicited proposal shall be conceptual, containing only the information required for the Project Committee to conduct a high-level review and screening of the proposed Public-Private Partnership concept.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(6)"> <text>An unsolicited proposal shall include, at a minimum, the following:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>An executive summary of the major elements of the unsolicited proposal, including:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>The title of the proposed concept;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>A brief description and justification of the proposed concept;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>The name and address of the private entity; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iv)"> <text>A signature of an individual authorized to act on behalf of and bind the private entity, along with the individual’s telephone number and email address;</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Summary of the experience, expertise, technical and financial competence, and professional qualifications of the private entity;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>A summary narrative that describes:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>The key components of the proposed Public-Private Partnership concept;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Preliminary ideas of the Public-Private Partnership scope, schedule, and project lifecycle considerations;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>Preliminary qualitative evaluation of relevant benefits and costs;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iv)"> <text>Preliminary description of financial concepts;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(v)"> <text>The relevance of the public-private concept to other Department facilities or other public infrastructure assets; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(vi)"> <text>How the Public-Private Partnership concept is consistent with existing governmental planning or project documents and governing law;</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>A high-level description of financial feasibility that includes:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Amounts and sources of any public funding that may be required;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>How estimated funding from all relevant sources would be sufficient to support all asset delivery activities, including design, property and equipment acquisition, construction, long term capital replacement activities, financing, operations, and maintenance; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>How estimated funding from all relevant sources would be sufficient to provide for contingencies to meet the terms and conditions under which the public infrastructure asset shall be handed back to the Department at the expiration or termination of the Public-Private Partnership agreement;</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(e)"> <text>Rationale for a Public-Private Partnership delivery method relative to a conventional project delivery approach;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(f)"> <text>Clear indication of any proprietary information that should be protected in accordance with State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-301(d)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(g)"> <text>Additional information, as necessary, to support a high-level screening process, as outlined in Regulation .06C(1) of this chapter.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(7)"> <text>Unsolicited Proposal Fee.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Each initial unsolicited proposal for a new project shall be accompanied by a check made payable to the State of Maryland/Department of General Services in the amount of $50,000.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Each unsolicited proposal that addresses a project already in place shall be accompanied by a check in the amount of $10,000 made payable to the State of Maryland/Department of General Services.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>The Department reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine whether submitted alternates and variations of proposals shall be considered separate proposals that require separate proposal fees.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>The Department may require more than one fee.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(e)"> <text>Unsolicited proposal fees are non-refundable.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Screening Process."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The purpose of the screening is to assist the Department in determining the appropriateness, viability, and effectiveness of delivering a public infrastructure asset for which it is responsible using a Public-Private Partnership methodology.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>The screening methodology is a means to systematically apply uniform and consistent factors to both internally generated Public-Private Partnership concepts and unsolicited public-private concepts.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>The screening process shall be organized in two phases:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>High-Level Screening Phase.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Factors to be considered during the high-level screening may include, but are not limited to:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Ability to meet State infrastructure, socioeconomic development, workforce, and environmental goals;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Technical implementation considerations;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>Potential need for coordination with other State agencies;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iv)"> <text>Ability to allocate and share risks in a cost effective manner that shall be consistent with State law and in the best interests of the State;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(v)"> <text>Opportunities to reduce reliance on public funds or finance, or both;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(vi)"> <text>Public affordability considerations;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(vii)"> <text>Potential for increased revenue generation and revenue sharing with the Department; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(viii)"> <text>Potential impact on the workforce, including existing State employees, if any.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>For internally generated Public-Private Partnership concepts, the high level screening shall be conducted based on the Public-Private Candidate Concept Application and supporting information provided by the Internal Sponsor.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>For unsolicited Public-Private concepts, the high-level screening shall be conducted based on information provided by the private entity in an unsolicited proposal and any supplementary information available within the Department.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>Based on the findings of the high-level screening, the Project Committee may recommend to the Secretary that specific Public-Private Partnership concepts be advanced or not advanced to the detailed-level screening.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(e)"> <text>The Secretary’s written approval shall be required to advance or not advance a Public-Private Partnership concept to the detail-level screening phase.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(f)"> <text>Within 45 days after receipt of a Public-Private Partnership Candidate Concept Application or unsolicited proposal, the Project Committee shall:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Notify the Internal Sponsor or private entity that the concept has been advanced or not advanced to detailed-level screening; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Request additional information from the Internal Sponsor or private entity.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Detailed-Level Screening Phase.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>The detailed-level screening phase shall be more comprehensive than the high-level screening phase.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>In addition to the findings of the high-level screening phase, analyses and documentation during the detailed-level screening phase may include some or all of the following categories:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Scope, design concepts, and phasing schedules;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Compliance with federal and State environmental and transportation planning requirements;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>Technical and financial feasibility analyses;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iv)"> <text>Evaluation of operations and maintenance requirements;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(v)"> <text>Asset lifecycle costs and revenue estimates;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(vi)"> <text>Risk assessment of key asset delivery elements;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(vii)"> <text>In the event that a Public-Private Partnership delivery method may have a potential impact on the workforce or existing State employees, a preliminary assessment of the potential impact and potential options for mitigating that impact, including the protections allotted to State employees that are in effect at the time that the Public-Private Partnership Agreement is approved by the Board of Public Works; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(viii)"> <text>Other analyses determined to be necessary to determine the appropriateness, viability, and effectiveness of a Public-Private Partnership delivery method.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>The types of analyses and resources committed to a detailed-level screening phase will be determined by the Project Committee and the Secretary, on a case-by-case basis.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>Based on the findings of the detailed-level screening, the Project Committee shall make recommendations to the Secretary as to which Public-Private Partnership concepts should be advanced and which should not be advanced to submission of a pre-solicitation report.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(e)"> <text>The Secretary’s written approval shall be required to advance or not advance a Public-Private Partnership concept to submission of a pre-solicitation report.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(f)"> <text>Within 45 days after advancement of a Public-Private Partnership concept to the detailed-level screening analysis phase, the Project Committee shall:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Notify the Internal Sponsor or private entity that the concept is or is not under development for possible submission of a pre-solicitation report; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Request additional information from the Internal Sponsor or private entity.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Pre-solicitation."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Pre-solicitation Report Development.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The development of a pre-solicitation report for submission involves a broad range of activities that may run concurrent to the high-level and detailed-level screening phases.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>In consultation with the Project Committee, the Secretary shall determine:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>The tasks required for the development of a pre-solicitation report; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>The responsible parties within the Department.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>The development of a pre-solicitation report containing all elements required in State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-201(b)(1), Annotated Code of Maryland may entail a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Analyses and documentation, including some or all of the following categories:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Scope, design concepts, and phasing schedules;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Compliance with federal and State environmental planning requirements;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>Technical and financial feasibility analyses;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iv)"> <text>Evaluation of operations and maintenance requirements;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(v)"> <text>Asset lifecycle costs and revenue estimates;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(vi)"> <text>Risk assessment of key asset delivery elements;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(vii)"> <text>In the event that a Public-Private Partnership delivery method may have a potential impact on existing State employees, analysis of potential impact and potential options for mitigating the impact; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(viii)"> <text>Other analyses determined to be necessary to determine appropriateness, viability, and effectiveness of a Public-Private Partnership delivery method.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Issuing public requests for information to obtain additional information that may help the Department to confirm or refine key assumptions; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Organizing public industry forums to obtain additional knowledge that may help the Department confirm or refine key assumptions.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>In the event that the proposed Public-Private Partnership delivery method may have a potential impact on State employees, the Department shall arrange for meetings between the Secretary and appropriate bargaining unit representatives, if any, for a preliminary discussion of potential impact and potential options for mitigating that impact.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>The Department may not issue a public notice of solicitation for a Public-Private Partnership until:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>A pre-solicitation report concerning the proposed Public-Private Partnership is submitted to the Comptroller, the State Treasurer, the Budget Committees, and the Department of Legislative Services in accordance with State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-201(a), Annotated Code of Maryland that contains the information required by State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-201(b)(1), Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>The Department has sought and received the official designation by the Board of Public Works of the public infrastructure asset as a Public-Private Partnership and approval of the solicitation method.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" heading="Solicitation Process."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>General.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The solicitation process for Public-Private Partnerships shall be competitive, regardless of whether the Public-Private Partnership concept originated internally within the Department or from an unsolicited proposal.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>For each private entity that responds to a public notice of solicitation, the Department shall make a responsibility determination in accordance with State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-202(c), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Solicitations Relating to Concepts Described in Unsolicited Proposals.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The competitive solicitation process shall protect any proprietary information that is identified as such and included in the unsolicited proposal in accordance with State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-301(d)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>An individual or firm that has submitted an unsolicited proposal may participate in any subsequent competitive solicitation process, in accordance with State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-301(e), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>The private entity shall be responsive to all components of the subsequent competitive solicitation process even if certain information requested by the subsequent competitive solicitation process has already been submitted as part of the unsolicited proposal.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>The Department reserves the right to issue a public notice of solicitation relating to a concept described in an unsolicited proposal after the rejection or termination of the evaluation of the unsolicited proposal or any competing proposals.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>Multi-Step Solicitation Process.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The Department may use a multi-step solicitation process that includes, but is not limited to, some of the following steps:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Issuance of a request for qualifications;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Pre-proposal conference;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Issuance of a draft request for proposals;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>Industry review meetings; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(e)"> <text>Issuance of a final request for proposals.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>The determination to utilize some or all of the solicitation steps shall be made on a case-by-case basis depending on which steps are advantageous to the State.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>The Department may include additional solicitation steps on a case-by-case basis as set forth in the public notice of solicitation.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>The Department may issue a request for qualifications.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>The purpose of a request for qualifications is to:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Identify private entities that qualify as participants in the solicitation process; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Identify a shortlist of the highest qualified candidates for continuing in the solicitation process.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Based on the responses to the request for qualifications, the Department may:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Identify one or more private entities as qualified; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Develop a shortlist of one or more of the highest qualified candidates for continuing in the solicitation process, which are the shortlisted private entities.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Only candidates that have been selected to continue in the solicitation process as shortlisted private entities are eligible to:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Participate in industry review meeting;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Receive drafts of the request for proposals;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>Submit comments on drafts of the request for proposals;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iv)"> <text>Receive the final request for proposals; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(v)"> <text>Submit a written proposal in response to the final request for proposals.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>Pre-proposal Conference.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>The purpose of a pre-proposal conference is to facilitate better understanding of solicitation requirements and processes.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>A pre-proposal conference may be scheduled by the Department after the initial public notice of solicitation for a Public-Private Partnership.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Pre-proposal conferences are open to all interested private entities.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(6)"> <text>Draft Request for Proposals.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>As part of a multi-step solicitation process, the Department may issue one or more draft requests for proposals to shortlisted private entities.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Draft requests for proposals may include, but are not limited to:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Instructions to private entities for responding to the request for proposals;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Technical provisions;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>Scope of work; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iv)"> <text>Public-Private Partnership agreement key terms and components.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Only shortlisted private entities may submit written or verbal comments and questions concerning the draft request for proposals to the Department to the extent permitted by the solicitation process.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>The Department may use comments and questions from the shortlisted private entities for subsequent revisions to the draft request for proposals.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(7)"> <text>Industry Review Meetings.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>The Department may conduct industry review meetings as part of a multi-step solicitation process.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>The purpose of industry review meetings is to:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Obtain comments and make revisions to the draft request for proposals:</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Obtain the best value for the State;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>Facilitate the full understanding regarding the requirements of the State for the Public-Private Partnership concept;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iv)"> <text>Facilitate the full understanding of the contents of the proposals required to be submitted by shortlisted private entities; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(v)"> <text>Finalize the requirements for the request for proposals.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Agreement negotiations may not be conducted during industry review meetings.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>Industry review meetings are restricted to candidates that have been selected to continue in the solicitation process as shortlisted private entities.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(e)"> <text>Industry review meetings may be:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Joint workshops with all shortlisted private entities invited to participate; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>One-on-one meetings between the Department and individual shortlisted private entities.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(f)"> <text>The Department may use comments and questions obtained from the shortlisted private entities through industry review meetings for subsequent revisions to the draft request for proposals.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(8)"> <text>Final Request for Proposals.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>In a solicitation process involving a request for qualifications phase, a final request for proposals shall be issued to shortlisted private entities selected to continue in the solicitation process.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>The contents of the final request for proposals may be based on information gathered during the earlier solicitation phases, including but not limited to;</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Pre-proposal conference;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Request for qualifications; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>Industry review meetings.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>The Department may issue a final request for proposals without previously:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>Issuing a request for qualifications;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Issuing a draft request for proposals; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>Conducting industry review meetings.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(9)"> <text>Information Available During Solicitation.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>The Department may make relevant technical and financial information available to shortlisted private entities through an electronic data room.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>The Department may respond to relevant additional information requests by shortlisted private entities in support of due diligence reviews, including requests for site inspections.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Information or site access provided to individual shortlisted private entities pursuant to an additional information request as provided for in §C(9)(b) of this regulation., must also be made available to all other interested private entities if a shortlist of private entities has not yet been established; or, to all other shortlisted private entities if a shortlist of private entities has been established.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>Shortlisted Private entities shall be required to sign confidentiality agreements prior to release of information deemed confidential.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>Reimbursement.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The Department may reimburse a private entity in accordance with State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-202(f), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>If the Department elects to reimburse a private entity, the specific terms, conditions, method, and timing for reimbursing the private entity shall be described in the public notice of solicitation associated with the specific Public-Private Partnership.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>The reimbursement terms and conditions may include the requirement for the private entity to execute a stipend agreement and to transfer rights to use the work product produced by the private entity during the solicitation process to the Department as a condition to receiving reimbursement.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>The Department shall only consider reimbursement for shortlisted private entities.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>Maximum Reimbursement Amount.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>The Department shall not provide a reimbursement in excess of $3,000,000 to an individual private entity for costs incurred in response to the solicitation of a Public-Private Partnership.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>The Department may establish a reimbursement less than the maximum prescribed herein on a case-by-case basis.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(6)"> <text>Except as set forth in the solicitation documents, should the solicitation process or negotiations be suspended, discontinued, or terminated, the private entity shall have no rights of recourse, including reimbursement of the private entity’s unsolicited proposal review fees or costs associated, directly or indirectly, with the solicited or unsolicited proposal developments.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="E."> <text>Reservation of Rights. The Department reserves all rights available by law and in equity in its Public-Private Partnership solicitation process, including without limitation, the right to:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Reject any and all submittals, responses, qualifications, and proposals, whether solicited or unsolicited, at any time or for any reason;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Issue addenda, supplements, and modifications to a public notice of solicitation;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Cancel a solicitation in whole or in part at any time prior to execution of a Public-Private Partnership agreement, subject to any agreed upon compensation to proposers set forth in the solicitation documents or pursuant to State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-202(f), Annotated Code of Maryland;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>Issue a new public notice of solicitation after withdrawal of a public notice of solicitation;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>Establish protocols for private entities to remedy minor deficiencies in responses to requests for qualifications or proposals within a specified period of time;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(6)"> <text>Disqualify any private entity at any point during a solicitation process for violating any rules or requirements of the solicitation set forth in the public notice of solicitation, in any communication from the Department, or as otherwise set forth by applicable law;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(7)"> <text>Determine whether to pursue federal credit assistance on behalf of the private entities;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(8)"> <text>Publicly disclose information received during the solicitation process as governed by law and by the public notice of solicitation, pursuant to State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-203(b), Annotated Code of Maryland;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(9)"> <text>Exercise any other rights reserved or afforded to the Department under applicable law and the public notice of solicitation; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(10)"> <text>Disqualify any private entity for any conflict of interest or other conduct manifesting a lack of responsibility determination.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="F."> <text>Additional reservations of Department rights may be included in the solicitation documents for a Public-Private Partnership.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" heading="Evaluations, Negotiation, and Award."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The Department shall conduct evaluations of submitted responses to requests for qualifications and submitted proposals using the information submitted by the private entity.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Submitted information shall be evaluated against the requirements of the solicitation and the evaluation criteria that the Department specifies in the solicitation for the particular Public-Private Partnership opportunity.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>The objective of this evaluation process is to select the private entity that provides the best value solution for the State.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>The Department’s evaluation criteria shall be clearly set forth in each request for solicitation.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>A failure to provide all requested information may result in the Department eliminating a response or proposal from further consideration.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>The processes for evaluating submitted responses to request for qualifications and for evaluating submitted proposals to requests for proposals shall be described and submitted to the Board of Public Works as part of the pre-solicitation process the Board of Public Works shall approve.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>The Secretary shall establish one or more evaluation committees on a case-by-case basis that may:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Be comprised of:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Secretary’s Office employees; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Other State employees;</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Review statements of qualifications;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Review proposals; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>Seek advice from the Department, other State agencies and State employees, and outside experts and consultants during the evaluation process.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>Best and Final Offers.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>After the evaluation of all responsive proposals, the Secretary may request best and final offers from private entities determined by the evaluation committees to be eligible to submit best and final offers.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>The Secretary may request multiple iterations of best and final offers.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>A best and final offer process is not required.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="E."> <text>After an apparent best value private entity has been selected by the evaluation committees, in consultation with the Secretary, the Department may enter into negotiations with that private entity.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="F."> <text>The Secretary may determine that negotiations be completed by a negotiations committee either comprised of members of the evaluation committees or established separately from the evaluation committee that may:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Be comprised of:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Secretary’s Office employees; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Other State employees;</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Review the apparent best value private entity’s response to the request for proposals;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Review the apparent best value private entity’s best and final offer, if any; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>Receive assistance from outside experts and consultants during the evaluation process.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="G."> <text>The Department, in its sole discretion, may initiate negotiations with a private entity other than the apparent best value private entity if:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Negotiations with the apparent best value private entity are unsuccessful; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>The apparent best value private entity does not provide sufficient information or timely feedback to finalize the agreement in accordance with the Department’s schedule for the Public-Private Partnership solicitation.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="H."> <text>After completion of successful negotiations, the negotiations committee shall recommend a best value private entity to the Secretary for review and approval.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="I."> <text>After the Secretary provides written approval of the best value private entity, the Department shall:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Finalize and prepare the Public-Private Partnership agreement for execution, in coordination with the best value private entity;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Commence the final agreement review process in accordance with State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-203, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Arrange for meetings between the Secretary and appropriate bargaining unit representatives to provide notice and discuss plans for impacted State employees, in the event that the proposed Public-Private Partnership delivery method has an impact on existing State employees.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="J."> <text>Final Agreement Review.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The Secretary shall comply with the final agreement review process established in State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-203, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>A final agreement report shall accompany a final agreement submitted under State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-203, Annotated Code of Maryland, containing the following items, if relevant:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>The financial plan, including annual cash flows, for any Public-Private Partnership including:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>State contributions;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>Federal loans or credit assistance;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>Private investment;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iv)"> <text>Local contributions; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(v)"> <text>Other funding contributions;</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>The ongoing financial costs and increases associated with any operating and maintenance contracts;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>The impact any public private partnership agreement may have on the State’s debt affordability measures;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>An analysis of why the proposed agreement is more advantageous than a conventional project delivery;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(e)"> <text>A description, including the estimated value, of any land, buildings, or other structures or assets that are transferred or exchanged with a private entity as part of the public private partnership;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(f)"> <text>A summary of the performance measures included in the ongoing operation of the public private partnership;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(g)"> <text>A summary of the penalties associated with non-performance relating to the ongoing maintenance and operation; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(h)"> <text>A plan for how the long-term operating and maintenance contract will be overseen by the agency.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".10" heading="Delivery."> <text>Procedures for Public-Private Partnership Agreements. In the development of a Public-Private Partnership agreement, the Secretary shall comply with the provisions established in State Finance and Procurement Article, §10A-401, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">State Finance and Procurement Article, §§10A-102—10A-105, 10A-201—10A-204, 10A-301, 10A-401—10A-403, and 11-203(h), Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: December 30, 2019 (46:26 Md. R. 1163)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> <chapter num="06" heading="Assistive Listening Device in Assembly Areas"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Purpose."> <text>These regulations describe and provide a process for recipients of State funds to install an assistive listening system in an assembly area during construction or renovation of the assembly area.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Definitions."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Terms Defined.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>“Advisory Board” means the Hearing Accessibility Advisory Board.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>“Assembly area” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §4-410(a)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>“Assistive listening system” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §4-410(a)(3), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>“Construction or renovation” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §4-410(a)(4), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>“Department” means the Department of General Services.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(6)"> <text>“Hearing induction loop” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §4-410(a)(5), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(7)"> <text>“Recipient of State funds” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §4-410(a)(6), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Hearing Accessibility Advisory Board."> <text>The Advisory Board shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Department and consist of individuals who have expertise in assistive listening systems and consumers who use assistive listening systems.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Installation and Waiver Requests."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>A recipient of State funds shall install an assistive listening system in an assembly area during the construction or renovation of the assembly area if:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The assembly area uses or requires the use of a public address system; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>A State contract has been executed to enable the construction or renovation of the assembly area, in which funding received from the State will finance such construction or renovation, in part or in whole.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>A recipient of State funds may request a waiver from the requirements of §A of this regulation if:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The installation of an assistive listening system is deemed not technologically feasible; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>There is a dispute regarding whether the requirements of §A of this regulation apply to a construction or renovation project.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>The waiver request shall be in writing and include, at a minimum:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The name, address, and contact information of the requestor;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>A description of the construction or renovation project;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>A detailed explanation as to why an assistive listening system is not technologically feasible, including an affirmation from the requestor that there is no reasonable substitute technology readily available that would serve a similar purpose; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>In the event there is a dispute regarding whether §A of this regulation applies to the construction or renovation project, a detailed description as to why the assistive listening device requirement is not applicable to the project.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>Requests for waivers shall be submitted to the Advisory Board by the contractor prior to, or during the design phase of the project.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Monitoring and Compliance."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The Advisory Board shall periodically monitor activities of the recipients of State funds to ensure compliance with the requirements for installing an Assistive listening system.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>If the Advisory Board makes a preliminary determination of noncompliance or receives a complaint that a recipient of State funds is not in compliance with the requirements as outlined in this chapter, the Advisory Board shall perform an investigation by:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Authorizing the procurement agency and/or any appointee directed by the Advisory Board to:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Inspect the records of the recipient of State funds related to the installation of the Assistive listening system;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Inspect the jobsite;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Collect and review the project records; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>Interview any employees, contractors, subcontractors, and workers related to the installation; and</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Determining whether the recipient of State funds is in compliance with the requirements to install an assistive listening system and notifying them in writing of its findings.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>If found to not be compliant, a notice shall be provided to the recipient of State funds that includes what corrective actions are required to come into compliance and a date certain for when the recipients of State funds should present the Advisory Board with their plan for achieving compliance.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>If a procurement agency or Advisory Board determines that noncompliance with the contract provisions exists and that the recipient of State funds refuses or fails to take the corrective action as outlined in §C of this regulation and required by the procurement agency or the Advisory Board, then the following actions may occur:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Termination of the contract; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Referral to the Office of the Attorney General for appropriate action.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Signage."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Each covered assembly area must provide signs at each entry to the assembly area to inform patrons that assistive listening systems are available. Assembly areas that have ticket offices or ticket windows shall also display the required signs at the ticket window.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Assistive listening systems signs shall comply with applicable federal regulations and shall include the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Maintenance and Training."> <text>Training on the operation and maintenance of an assistive listening system shall be provided by the recipient of State funds as part of the project.</text> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The training may be provided as a part of the services of the company contracted to install the assistive listening system or as a separate service contract.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Companies contracted to install the assistive listening system, train users, or both, shall do so in a manner consistent with applicable federal laws and regulations.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" heading="Facility Requirements."> <text>Any facility that provides an assistive listening system must make receivers available to those individuals that can use the technology but do not have a personal hearing device or do not have a hearing device with a telecoil or built-in receiver. The number of receivers required in each assembly area is determined by the facility’s size and shall be consistent with applicable federal laws and regulations.</text> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">State Finance and Procurement Article, §4-410; State Government Article, §§10-611—10-630; Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: January 24, 2022 (49:2 Md. R. 77)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> </subtitle> <subtitle num="02" heading="Real Property Acquisition Policies"> <chapter num="01" heading="Appraisals"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Policy."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>This regulation applies to all real property acquisitions to which the Department of General Services has any statutory role, except real property acquisition by the Department of Transportation and its model administrations, which are addressed in Regulation .02, below.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Before any real property is acquired from a private owner, other than by gift, the Board of Public Works shall obtain two independent appraisals of the property.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>The staff review appraisers in the Office of Real Estate of the Department of General Services shall obtain and review the two independent appraisals for form, fact, and conclusions and, if they so elect may, with the approval of the Director of the Office of Real Estate, obtain a third independent appraisal, which they also shall review for form, fact, and conclusions. The staff review appraisers shall recommend to the Director of the Office of Real Estate a value for the subject real property, based on the approved appraisals. The Director shall determine the approved value of the property based on the reviewer's recommendation.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>The Director of the Office of Real Estate shall offer to purchase the subject real property from the private owner, at a price not less than the lowest of the approved, independent appraisals, or at a price equal to the eminent domain award of the circuit court, as the case may be.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="E."> <text>The actual consideration to be paid for any real property is subject to final approval by the Board of Public Works.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Policy as to the Department of Transportation."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>This regulation applies to capital expenditures for acquisition of real property by the Department of Transportation and its modal administrations (collectively addressed here as “the Department of Transportation”), unless the acquisition is in connection with State roads, bridges, or highways.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Instead of employing the procedures addressed in this regulation, the Department of Transportation may elect on a case by case basis to acquire real property in accordance with Regulation .01, above, provided the Department of General Services acquiesces.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>In exercising its review of contracts for capital expenditures for acquisition of real property by the Department of Transportation, the Department of General Services shall defer to a Department of Transportation review appraiser's approval of the appraisal of the property in question, and to any administrative adjustment of the proposed expenditure recommended by the Department of Transportation.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">State Finance and Procurement Article, §11-207; Real Property Article, §12-207(c) and (d); Annotated Code of Maryland; Constitution of Maryland, Article III, §40</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: June 27, 1988 (15:13 Md. R. 1550)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> <chapter num="02" heading="Condemnation of Property"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Policy."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>This regulation does not apply to property to be acquired in connection with State roads, bridges, or highways.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Before any real property is acquired from a private owner, who occupies a dwelling there as his principal residence, the Office of Real Estate, Department of General Services, the Department of Transportation, or any of its modal administrations, may offer the owners a life estate in a portion of that property.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>The value of the life estate, as determined by the Office of Real Estate, the Department of Transportation, or any of its modal administrations, is the amount equal to the agreed upon price of the total property, less a discount based upon the value of the life estate portion and the age of the youngest owner of record of the property. If the property is obtained through condemnation, the State shall pay the owner, or owners, a price equal to the inquisition for the total property, less a discount based upon the value of the life estate portion and the age of the youngest owner of record of the property. The discount will be determined by the Office of Real Estate, the Department of Transportation, or any of its modal administrations, by multiplying the agreed upon price or amount established by the condemnation inquisition for the life estate portion, that is, the residence, related improvements and the property which will be occupied and maintained by the former owner, or owners, by a valuation factor derived from computations using mortality tables and ages of the youngest owner, called Life Estate Valuation Table as approved by the State Board of Public Works.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>The actual consideration to be paid for any real property subject to a life estate is subject to final approval by the Board of Public Works.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">State Finance and Procurement Article, §10-202; Article 83B, §5-206; Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: June 27, 1988 (15:13 Md. R. 1551)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> </subtitle> <subtitle num="03" heading="Personal Property Disposal"> <chapter num="01" heading="Disposal Process"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Applicability."> <text>These regulations only apply to State-owned personal property that has been declared excess or surplus under State Finance and Procurement Article, §4-502, Annotated Code of Maryland. They do not apply to other State-owned personal property that is covered by State Finance and Procurement Article, §10-305.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Availability."> <text>Serviceable excess property will be listed periodically in the Excess Property Bulletin, a Statewide Department of General Services publication, notifying State agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations of available excess property.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="General Requirements."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The Inventory Management Division of the Department of General Services shall determine the method of property disposition.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Excess property will be transferred to another State agency, whenever feasible, before other methods of disposal are considered.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>Excess property sales will be executed by competitive sealed bids or public auctions.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Utilization by a Local Jurisdiction or Nonprofit Organization."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Excess property that is no longer needed by the State may be sold without obtaining competitive bids or donated to a local jurisdiction or nonprofit organization upon approval by the Secretary of General Services or the Secretary's designee at no lower than the Assistant Secretary's level.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>A local jurisdiction or nonprofit organization obtaining donated property shall be required to sign a statement certifying the intended use of the property in the recipient's program.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">State Finance and Procurement Article, §§4-204(b) and 4-501—4-508,Annotated Code of Maryland; COMAR 21.01.03.01A(10)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: June 27, 1988 (15:13 Md. R. 1551)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04A amended effective May 1, 2000 (27:8 Md. R. 796)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> <chapter num="02" heading="Surplus Personal Property—Enterprise Activity"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Definitions."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Terms Defined.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>“Enterprise activity” means a State governmental operation that markets goods and related services intended to result in revenue after payment of all costs, overhead, and expenses.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>“Inmate labor” means labor by individuals on work release from the Maryland Correctional System.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>“MSASP” means the Maryland State Agency for Surplus Property, a self-supporting division of the Department of General Services.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>“Qualified donee” means a unit of State government, a local governmental jurisdiction, or a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, eligible to purchase surplus property from MSASP.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>“Refurbish” means the process of enhancing the marketability of property through operations including, but not limited to, cleaning, painting, assembling, repairing, reupholstering, adding, or replacing component parts, etc.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(6)"> <text>Surplus Property.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>“Surplus property” means federal surplus personal property as well as items of excess personal property, located at the MSASP Warehouse, that the Department of General Services declares as not needed by any unit of State government.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>“Surplus property” includes motor vehicles, machinery, office furniture, clothing, office machines, etc.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="MSASP Enterprise Activity."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Scope and Purpose.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>MSASP is an unfunded, self-supporting agency that may engage in enterprise activity in order to:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Cover its operating expenses;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Generate revenue for the State's General Fund;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Employ and train qualified inmates in vocational skills; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>Provide quality, finished products to qualified donees at attractive prices.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>MSASP may market refurbished surplus property to qualified donees, together with incidental design, planning, installation, and delivery services on a project-by-project basis, including the marketing of complete modular office furniture systems.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Disposition of Funds. Money received from the sale of surplus property shall be handled in accordance with State Finance and Procurement Article, §4-505, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>Accounting.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>MSASP shall keep accurate accounts of all enterprise activity in a standardized form that is complete and subject to audit.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Accounts are to be kept on a project-by-project basis and include detailed entries for:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Surplus property as well as purchased property;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Services incidental to each enterprise agency project; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Payments received from a qualified donee customer.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>Prerequisites to MSASP Enterprise Activity. After the initial consultation, planning, and estimating stages of an enterprise activity project, MSASP shall proceed with the project only if in good faith it can ensure that the materials to be used in the project will consist primarily of surplus or refurbished property.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="E."> <text>Procedure.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Materials. Whenever a good-faith estimate in §D of this regulation is made, MSASP may buy additional used or refurbished materials, or both, as well as a minimal amount of new material, as needed to complete the project, and shall obtain the best price in accordance with good business practices.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Labor.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Except as otherwise provided, all enterprise activity labor, including marketing and customer service such as design, planning, estimating, installation, and delivery, shall be performed by MSASP employees and MSASP inmate labor.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>If, after the initial consultation, planning, and estimating stages, MSASP is unable to meet a project's labor requirements through its own employees and inmate labor, then MSASP may subcontract the remaining labor to State Use Industries.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>If State Use Industries cannot perform the labor or cannot enter subcontracts because of time constraints, then MSASP may subcontract for labor with private organizations, subject to good business practices in obtaining the best competitive price.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">State Finance and Procurement Article, §§4-501—4-508, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: November 20, 1995 (22:23 Md. R. 1799)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> </subtitle> <subtitle num="04" heading="Security of State Real Property"> <chapter num="01" heading="Key Regulations"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Scope."> <text>This chapter applies to all real property owned or occupied by a unit which is secured by a lock needing a key to gain access.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Definitions."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Terms Defined.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>“Key” includes electronic card keys and similar devices that perform locking or unlocking functions.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>“State” means the State of Maryland or any unit.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>“State real property” means any land or improvements, structures, or fixtures on land leased or owned by the State.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>Unit.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>“Unit” means a department, agency, board, commission, university, college, or other entity of State government.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>“Unit” does not mean political subdivisions and units of political subdivisions of the State.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Responsibilities for Authorizing Manufacture, Duplication, and Distribution of Keys."> <text>Every unit shall appoint an employee who shall be responsible for authorizing the manufacture, duplication, distribution, and possession of keys capable of locking and unlocking doors, gates, or barriers in or on State real property used by the unit.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Maintenance of a List."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Each unit shall keep current lists of:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>All State real property owned, controlled, or used by the unit for which keys are used to gain access;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>All employees who have been authorized to be given keys to the property; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>All employees given keys to the property.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Each unit shall provide current copies of the lists in §A of this regulation to the chief law enforcement or security officer of that unit, or if the unit has none, to the Assistant Secretary for Facilities Operations and Maintenance of the Department of General Services.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Markings."> <text>Any key capable of being used in locks on State real property shall be clearly marked with the words “DO NOT DUPLICATE” or “UNLAWFUL TO DUPLICATE” and shall bear symbology indicating ownership by the State.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Use and Possession of Keys."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Any key subject to these regulations may be used, distributed, maintained, or duplicated only with the written permission of a person identified in Regulation .03 of this chapter.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>A person, firm, or organization may not use, distribute, manufacture, duplicate, or possess keys capable of being used in locks in or on State real property unless the use, distribution, manufacture, duplication, or possession is in accordance with Regulations .01—.06 of this chapter.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Penalties."> <text>As provided in Criminal Law Article, §7-204, Annotated Code of Maryland, any person, firm, or organization found guilty of violating these regulations shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall pay a fine of not more than $500 for each offense.</text> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">Criminal Law Article, §7-204, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: May 12, 2003 (30:9 Md. R. 609)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> <chapter num="02" heading="Security Cards"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="General."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>These regulations are applicable to all State real property.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>It is the intent of these regulations to ensure the safety of all persons working, visiting, conducting business, or otherwise lawfully in, on, or about State real property.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Definitions."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Terms Defined.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>“Department” means the Department of General Services.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>“Maryland Capitol Police (MCP)” means the Department of General Services Police.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>“Prox privileges” means privileges associated with a proximity card, integrated with the security card, and used for access control applications.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>“Secretary” means the Secretary of General Services or the Secretary's designee.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>“Security card” means a State of Maryland employee security card.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(6)"> <text>“State” means the State of Maryland or any unit.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(7)"> <text>“State real property” means any land or improvements, structures, or fixtures on land leased or owned by the State.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(8)"> <text>Unit.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>“Unit” means a department, agency, board, commission, university, college, or other entity of State government.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>“Unit” does not mean a political subdivision or a unit of a political subdivision of the State.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Issuance of Security Cards."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>In accordance with this chapter, the Secretary shall issue a security card to each State employee.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>The Secretary may issue a security card to an individual other than a State employee, including but not limited to a contractor, lobbyist, media personnel, local government official, or volunteer.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>Any duties assigned by this chapter to the Secretary may be delegated by the Secretary to the MCP.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>All prox privileges associated with a security card shall be subject to criteria established by MCP as approved by the Secretary.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="E."> <text>The Secretary may authorize and the MCP shall conduct a security clearance investigation prior to issuance of a security card to an individual other than a State employee.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Surrender of Security Cards."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>A security card is the property of the State.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>A security card issued to a State employee shall be surrendered upon:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The employee's separation from State employment;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Demand by the employee's supervisor;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Demand by the Secretary; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>Demand by the MCP.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>Surrender Procedures.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Upon separation from State employment or upon a demand under this regulation, a State employee shall surrender the employee’s security card to the personnel division of the employee’s unit or MCP as the case may be.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Upon the employee’s surrender of the security card, the personnel division of the unit or MCP shall issue a receipt to the employee.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>The personnel division shall return the surrendered security card to the MCP within 10 days after the employee’s surrender of the card.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>Upon notification by the employee’s personnel division, any prox privileges associated with the surrendered security card shall be cancelled by MCP.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>Upon the failure of a State employee or former State employee to surrender the employee's security card under this regulation, the Secretary may:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Place or cause to be placed a hold on the payment of any separation benefits, including but not limited to severance pay and retirement benefits, until the employee surrenders the employee's security card;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Withhold a reasonable fee from any wages or other monies to be paid to the employee, if the employee notifies the Secretary that the security card has been lost; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Refer the matter for criminal prosecution.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="E."> <text>A security card issued to an individual other than a State employee shall be surrendered to the MCP upon demand by the:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Secretary; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>MCP.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="F."> <text>Upon the failure of an individual other than a State employee to surrender the individual's security card under this regulation, the Secretary may:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Place or cause to be placed a hold on any monies due the individual until such time as the individual surrenders the individual's security card;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Withhold a reasonable fee from any monies due the individual, if the individual notifies the Secretary that the security card has been lost; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Refer the matter for criminal prosecution.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Notification to the Department of Employee Separation from the Service."> <text>The personnel division of the employee’s unit shall notify the MCP within 30 days upon the separation of service of any employee with security card privileges and shall provide the name of the affected employee.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Responsibilities of Holders of Security Cards."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Application.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>In order to be issued a security card, an individual shall complete and submit a security card application, including written authorization to withhold the employee's wages.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>The security card application shall be in a form prescribed by the Secretary.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>The Secretary shall review and may approve or deny a security card application.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>A holder of a security card shall:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Notify the MCP in writing within 30 days of any changes to the information entered into the security card application;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Immediately report a lost or stolen security card to the employee’s supervisor, if a State employee, and the MCP; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>When on State real property:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Display the security card:</text> <paragraph num="(i)"> <text>On the outermost garment;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(ii)"> <text>In the area of the upper chest; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(iii)"> <text>So as to be visible at all times; and</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Produce the security card upon demand by a member of MCP, a police officer, or authorized security personnel.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>A holder of security card may not:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Place the security card in a holder or cover the security card in a manner that impacts the viewing and examination of the security card;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Loan or allow the security card to be used by another individual for any reason;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Alter, copy, photograph, or reproduce the security card, or allow the security card to be altered, copied, photographed, or reproduced; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>Grant entry, exit, or other prox privileges on any State real property to anyone but the security card holder.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Fees."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Except as provided in §C of this regulation, the Secretary may charge a fee for:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The replacement of a lost security card;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>The failure of a State employee to surrender the employee's security card upon separation from State employment or demand under Regulation .04B of this chapter; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>The failure of an individual other than a State employee to surrender the individual's security card upon demand under Regulation .04E of this chapter.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>The fees established for security cards are:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Lobbyist — $50;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Contractor — $50; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Replacement fees as follows:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>First loss — $50;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Second loss — $100; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Each successive loss — $250 subject to authorization from DGSP.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>The Secretary may not charge a fee:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>To replace a damaged security card, if the damage was unintentional and the security card is surrendered; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>To issue a security card with updated personal or employment information.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>The Secretary may:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Deduct from the wages due a State employee any fee that may be owed under this chapter; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Deduct from any monies due an individual other than a State employee any fee that may be charged under this chapter.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" heading="Sanctions."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The violation by a State employee of any regulation under this chapter may result in the revocation of the employee's security card and any associated privileges as well as criminal prosecution as provided in Criminal Law Article, §9-704, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>The violation by an individual other than a State employee of any regulation under this chapter may result in the revocation of the individual's security card and any associated privileges as well as criminal prosecution as provided in Criminal Law Article, §9-704, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">Criminal Law Article, §9-704; Labor and Employment Article, §3-503(4);State Finance and Procurement Article, §§4-604 and 4-607(a); Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: April 21, 2008 (35:8 Md. R. 804)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02B amended effective April 5, 2021 (48:7 Md. R. 259)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03C—E amended effective April 5, 2021 (48:7 Md. R. 259)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04 amended effective April 5, 2021 (48:7 Md. R. 259)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05 amended effective April 5, 2021 (48:7 Md. R. 259)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06B amended effective April 5, 2021 (48:7 Md. R. 259)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> </subtitle> <subtitle num="05" heading="Buildings and Grounds"> <chapter num="01" heading="General Regulations"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Definition and Application."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>“Property” means State public buildings, improvements, grounds, and multiservice centers under the jurisdiction of the Department of General Services.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>In addition to the regulations in this chapter, the following areas are also subject to COMAR 04.05.02 and the procedural rules of the Senate and House of Delegates:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>General Assembly buildings, improvements, and grounds;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Senate and House of Delegates:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Chambers,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Lounges,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Lobbies,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>Appurtenant areas,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(e)"> <text>Committee rooms; and</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Joint Hearing Room.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Property Access."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The property is closed to the public after regular business hours.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Property or portions of it may be closed to the public during regular business hours in emergency situations:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Necessary to the orderly conduct of State business;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>For safety reasons; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>For security reasons.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>After consulting with the Secretary of General Services, or in the Secretary's absence, the Deputy Secretary, emergency situations may be declared by the following individuals, or by their authorized designee:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Superintendent of Baltimore Public Buildings and Grounds;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Superintendent of Annapolis Public Buildings and Grounds; or the</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Manager of a multiservice center.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>During and after business hours or during declared emergency situations, an individual working, visiting, conducting business, or otherwise lawfully in, on, or about State property will be required to display identification documents upon request. During and after business hours or during declared emergencies, an individual may be arrested if the individual:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Either:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Is on the property with no apparent lawful business to pursue; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Fails to display identification documents upon request; and</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Refuses to leave or fails to leave after being asked to leave by an authorized employee of the Department of General Services.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Prohibited Conduct."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>An individual shall be subject to arrest if the individual:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Damages or defaces the property;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Creates loud, unusual noise, including profanity;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Disturbs employees performing their duties;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>Prevents or disturbs the general public from obtaining services provided on the property; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>Obstructs:</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>Entrances,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>Walks,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(c)"> <text>Corridors,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(d)"> <text>Elevators,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(e)"> <text>Offices,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(f)"> <text>Stairways, or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(g)"> <text>Parking lots.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Except for official purposes and by authorized personnel, an individual on the property may not carry open or concealed firearms, explosives, incendiary devices, or dangerous or deadly weapons.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>Photographs, video, video tape, movie film, or audio recordings for commercial purposes may only be made on the property with the approval of the occupying agency head.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>The operation of gambling devices, conducting a pool or lottery, the selling or purchasing of “numbers” or lottery tickets and gambling or betting in any form on the property is prohibited, except for operations by the Maryland State Lottery Agency.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="E."> <text>Dogs and other animals may not be brought upon the property for other than official purposes, except seeing-eye dogs and animals used to guide or assist handicapped persons.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="F."> <text>Executive Order 01.01.1987.13 prohibits smoking and the carrying of lit tobacco products or substitutes in public access areas of the property. Smoking is allowed only in areas so designated with posted signs.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="G."> <text>Physical damage of the property is prohibited and includes:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Defacing or marking of the property;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Throwing articles of any kind at or from the property;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Climbing upon any part of the property;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>Tampering with landscape and planting; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>Willful damage, destruction, or removal of property.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Distribution of Handbills."> <text>Except as provided in COMAR 04.05.02, the distribution by the public of materials such as handbills, pamphlets, and letters in indoor areas of the property is prohibited without the prior approval of the appropriate superintendent or manager.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Vehicular Traffic."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Vehicles on the property will be operated in a careful and safe manner, complying with directions of guards and posted signs.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>The blocking of entrances, driveways, walks, or loading platforms is prohibited.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>Parking without authority or parking in unauthorized locations or in locations reserved for others is prohibited.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Controlled Dangerous Substances and Alcoholic Beverages."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The use of controlled dangerous substances, except as prescribed by physicians or permitted by law, is prohibited on the property.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>An individual under the influence of alcohol or controlled dangerous substances may not be permitted on the property, or to operate a motor vehicle on the property.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Soliciting and Debt Collection."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The soliciting of alms, money, or contributions, commercial soliciting, the display or distribution of commercial advertising, political soliciting, or the collection of private debts, is prohibited on the property, except as permitted by §B of this regulation.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Permissible solicitations require the prior approval of the occupying agency head for scheduling, safety, security, and traffic purposes. Permissible solicitations are limited to:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Solicitation by national or local campaigns for savings bonds, health, welfare, and charity;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Solicitations by labor organizations for membership or dues as authorized by law;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Recruitment campaigns for the Armed Forces, National Guard, and other federal or State agencies, as previously approved by the occupant agencies;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>Operation of vending facilities and concessions as part of the operation of the property for the benefit of employees and the public;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>Personal notices posted by employees on authorized bulletin boards; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(6)"> <text>Activities on portions of the property leased to other individuals or organizations.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>These restrictions do not apply to Lawyers’ Mall in Annapolis, which is regulated under COMAR 04.05.02.02.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" heading="Demonstrations and Rallies."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Demonstrations and rallies may be held during regular business hours.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>The Secretary or the Chief of the Maryland Capitol Police shall predesignate certain outdoor or indoor areas of the property, traditionally considered public forums, as sites for proposed demonstrations and rallies.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>An applicant for a demonstration or rally can request any other area on the property and the Secretary or the Chief of the Maryland Capitol Police shall make every effort to accommodate the request, consistent with safety, security, and traffic concerns, and the least disturbance to employees in the performance of their duties, and not preventing the general public from obtaining the government services that are provided on the property.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>Individuals or groups wishing to hold demonstrations or rallies should apply in writing at least 2 days in advance to the Secretary or the Chief of the Maryland Capitol Police for a permit, unless extraordinary circumstances prevent the applications.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="E."> <text>Permits are issued at no cost to the applicant on a first-come, first-served basis. The Secretary or the Chief of the Maryland Capitol Police may not refuse to issue a permit based on the:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Subject matter of the demonstration;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Applicant; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Lateness of the permit application.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="F."> <text>The Secretary or the Chief of the Maryland Capitol Police shall have discretion only as to matters of scheduling, safety, security, and traffic.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="G."> <text>The applicant shall designate, by name, at least one individual to be present at the demonstration who will wear an armband or other identifying insignia and be responsible for advising the demonstrators on compliance with applicable laws and regulations.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="H."> <text>Signs and placards are permitted, but signs and placards mounted on sticks and poles are not permitted.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="I."> <text>An individual may not have a firearm in the individual's possession within 1,000 feet of a demonstration on the property.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="J."> <text>An individual may not physically attach or illuminate any banner, sign, or message to any State real property without prior written approval from the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="K."> <text>Except for federal, State, and local government entities or law enforcement services agencies, an individual may not launch, land, or retrieve an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) on any State real property without prior written approval from the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="L."> <text>No person shall intentionally focus, point, or shine any laser beam or high intensity light directly or indirectly onto the eye or eyes of another person or animal, on another person or animal, or onto any State building window in such a manner as would reasonably be expected to annoy, harass, or alarm the person or animal.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" heading="Penalties."> <text>Persons violating these regulations and applicable laws may be prosecuted and, upon conviction by a court, shall be considered guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined or imprisoned. Nothing contained in these regulations shall be construed to abrogate any other federal, State, or local laws applicable to any area in which the property is located.</text> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">United States Constitution, Amendments 1 and 14; Maryland Constitution, Declaration of Rights, Article 13;Criminal Law Article, §§4-208 and 6-409; State Finance and Procurement Article, §§4-604(6) and (7) and 4-607(a) and (c);State Government Article, §2-1702; Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: October 10, 1994 (21:20 Md. R. 1731)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02D amended effective October 31, 2011 (38:22 Md. R. 1344)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .07 amended effective February 25, 2019 (46:4 Md. R. 190)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .08 amended effective April 5, 2021 (48:7 Md. R. 259)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> <chapter num="02" heading="Legislative Branch Buildings and Grounds in Annapolis"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Application."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>These regulations are in addition to COMAR 04.05.01.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>These regulations apply only to the buildings, improvements, and grounds of the Legislative Branch in Annapolis under the jurisdiction of the Department of General Services.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>The following areas are further subject to the procedural rules of the Senate and House of Delegates:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Chambers;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Lounges;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Lobbies;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>Committee rooms;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>Joint Hearing Room; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(6)"> <text>Appurtenant areas.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Demonstrations and Rallies."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Subject to the conditions below, demonstrations, rallies, and solicitation, whether or not by permit, may be held during regular business hours, but may not be scheduled to start after 8 p.m., or finish after 9 p.m., except when sessions of the Senate or House of Delegates run beyond 9 p.m.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Demonstrations and rallies may be conducted at Lawyers’ Mall in front of the State House between the Legislative Services Building and Government House. The areas posted as fire lanes may not be obstructed.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>In case of preemption or conflicting scheduling of Lawyers’ Mall, demonstrations may be conducted in other nearby outdoor areas if agreeable with the applicant for the demonstration permit and the Secretary or the Chief of the Maryland Capitol Police.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>Demonstrations or rallies outside State property may require separate approval of the Mayor of Annapolis through the Annapolis Police Department.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="E."> <text>Groups of 15 or more persons wishing to hold demonstrations or rallies or engage in solicitation should apply in writing at least 2 days in advance to the superintendent or manager for a permit, unless extraordinary circumstances prevent the applications. Groups of less than 15 persons may hold demonstrations or rallies or engage in solicitation without a permit, space permitting, subject to the same conditions in this regulation, but an individual or group holding a permit will have priority over an individual or group without a permit.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="F."> <text>Permits shall be issued at no cost to the applicant on a first-come, first-served basis. The Secretary or the Chief of the Maryland Capitol Police may not refuse to issue a permit based on the:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Subject matter of the demonstration;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Applicant; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Lateness of the permit application.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="G."> <text>Subject to §E of this regulation, and except as provided elsewhere in this Title, the following activities are not prohibited at Lawyers’ Mall:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Distribution of literature, materials, and merchandise for the exposition of ideas and opinions in the exercise of freedom of speech, association, assembly, and religion, but excluding purely commercial materials; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Solicitation of funds for lawful, non-commercial purposes or the collection of petition signatures.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="H."> <text>The applicant shall indicate whether solicitation for charitable contributions will occur and, if so, indicate whether the applicant is properly registered under the Maryland Solicitation Act, Business Regulation Article, Title 6, Annotated Code of Maryland, or exempt from registration.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="I."> <text>The applicant or any participant engaging in solicitation of funds shall inform donors whether the contribution is tax deductible, a contribution under §1-101(o) of the Election Law Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, or a gift.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="J."> <text>The Secretary or the Chief of the Maryland Capitol Police shall have discretion only as to matters of scheduling, safety, security, and traffic.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="K."> <text>The applicant should designate, by name, at least one individual to be present at the demonstration who will wear an armband or other identifying insignia and be responsible for advising the demonstrators on compliance with applicable laws and regulations.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="L."> <text>Battery operated sound systems may be used, but the State may not provide extra electricity or lighting. Signs and placards are permitted, but signs and placards mounted on sticks and poles are not permitted. Applicants must comply with all local noise ordinances.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="M."> <text>An individual may not possess a firearm within 1,000 feet of a demonstration on the property.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="N."> <text>The following activities are prohibited at Lawyers’ Mall:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Erecting any structures including tents, canopies, or structures; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Climbing on, removing, or damaging any memorial, statue, architectural feature, tree, or landscaping.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Interference with Legislative Process."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>An individual or group may not willfully disrupt or interfere with, or attempt to disrupt or interfere with:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>A session of the General Assembly;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>The Senate or the House of Delegates;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Any of the Senate's or House of Delegates' committees;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(4)"> <text>An officer, employee, or staff member of the General Assembly; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(5)"> <text>A member of the Senate or House of Delegates in the member's performance of any official function.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>An individual may not willfully picket in a building where:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The Senate or House of Delegates has a chamber;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>A member of the General Assembly has an office;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>A committee of the General Assembly or the House of Delegates has an office.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Communications with General Assembly Members."> <text>Nothing in this or other regulations shall prohibit citizens and small groups of citizens from communicating with the General Assembly in a reasonable and orderly manner, including delivery of handbills, pamphlets, letters, and small symbolic objects to members or members' offices.</text> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">United States Constitution, Amendments 1 and 14; Maryland Constitution, Declaration of Rights, Article 13;Criminal Law Article, §§4-208 and 6-409; State Finance and Procurement Article, §§4-604(6) and (7) and 4-607(a) and (c);State Government Article, §2-1702; Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: October 10, 1994 (21:20 Md. R. 1731)</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 amended effective February 25, 2019 (46:4 Md. R. 190); April 5, 2021 (48:7 Md. R. 259)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> </subtitle> <subtitle num="06" heading="Employee Housing Leases"> <chapter num="01" heading="General"> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Applicability."> <text>This subtitle applies to all leases of State-owned property to any State employee, agent, servant, or other individual in State service for the purpose of permitting the individual to maintain a residence on or in the property.</text> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Definitions."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Terms Defined.</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>“Department” means the Department of General Services.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Program.</text> <paragraph num="(a)"> <text>“Program” means the State Employee Rental Housing Program.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(b)"> <text>“Program” includes all leases of State-owned property to a State employee, agent, servant, or other individual in State service for the purpose of permitting the individual to maintain a residence on or in the property.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Conformity with Department Policies."> <text>Leases under the Program shall conform to policies of the Department regarding:</text> <paragraph num="A."> <text>Rental rates;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>Provisions, terms, and conditions of lease documents;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="C."> <text>Employee eligibility;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="D."> <text>Free or reduced-rent housing; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="E."> <text>Requirements for submission to the Department of a request for approval of a lease.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Rent."> <paragraph num="A."> <text>The Department shall approve the rent for employee housing.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>In reviewing the rent for employee housing, the Department shall consider:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>The physical condition of the housing;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>The maintenance cost; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Appraisals of the property as determined by an appropriate appraisal method including but not limited to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation.</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Rent-Free or Reduced-Rent Housing."> <text>Employee housing shall be provided at no cost or reduced cost if:</text> <paragraph num="A."> <text>There is a need to have an employee in a State-owned housing unit to:</text> <paragraph num="(1)"> <text>Provide a high level of security to a specific area or facility,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(2)"> <text>Respond to requests for assistance and emergencies in or near the area or facility,</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="(3)"> <text>Perform basic maintenance as the caretaker of the specific area or facility with high use; or</text> </paragraph> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>The State unit determines, with the approval of the Department, that the best interest of the State will be served by providing rent-free or reduced-rent housing.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Inventory of State-Owned Rental Housing."> <text>The Department shall maintain:</text> <paragraph num="A."> <text>A listing of State-owned employee rental housing; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph num="B."> <text>For each property a copy of the current lease or most recent lease if the property is vacant.</text> </paragraph> </regulation> <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Lease Form."> <text>The Department shall require the use of a lease form approved by the Attorney General.</text> </regulation> <annotations> <annotation type="Authority">State Finance and Procurement Article, §10-305, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation> <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: April 5, 1999 (26:6 Md. R. 482)</annotation> </annotations> </chapter> </subtitle>