<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="05" heading="Electronic Transactions" title_num="21" subtitle_num="03">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Electronic Procurements Authorized.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Unless otherwise prohibited by law, a primary procurement unit may conduct procurements by electronic means as provided in the Maryland Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, Commercial Law Article, Title 21, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Procurement transactions conducted by electronic means may include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Solicitations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Bids or proposals;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Evaluations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Awards;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Execution;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>Contract Administration;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7)">
        <text>Protests; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(8)">
        <text>Claims.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Solicitation Requirements.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Each solicitation and contract shall state whether electronic transactions are permitted or required for that procurement consistent with law and regulation. If the solicitation or contract does not specify that electronic transactions are permitted or required, bidders and offerors may not use electronic means for any part of the procurement except as otherwise provided for in law or regulation, including COMAR 21.10.02.02.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>If the electronic means are permitted or required, a solicitation or a contract shall specifically identify:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Transactions for which electronic means are authorized;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Specific means of conducting each authorized electronic transaction, including:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Facsimile;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Electronic mail;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>Specific electronic bidding platforms;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>Internet;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(e)">
          <text>Electronic funds transfer;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(f)">
          <text>Electronic data interchange; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(g)">
          <text>Any other electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, or electromagnetic means of electronically conducting transactions;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>The format for electronic transmission of required information;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>The information processing systems to be used to conduct the electronic procurement transactions and how to access such systems;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>The time, place, and manner of receipt of electronic transactions from a bidder, offeror, or contractor; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>The fees to be charged, if any, for use of the specified electronic means.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Unauthorized Transactions Prohibited.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>An attempt by a bidder, offeror, or contractor to conduct an electronic procurement transaction may not be considered by the procurement officer unless law, regulation, the solicitation, or contract specifically authorizes the electronic means for the specified transaction.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>An attempt by a bidder, offeror, or contractor to conduct a transaction by electronic means, including any acknowledgement, bid, proposal, or claim, does not satisfy the requirements of this title unless the solicitation or contract specifically authorizes the use of electronic means for the specified transaction.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Fees.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>A unit utilizing electronic means to conduct procurement transactions, or a private contractor furnishing electronic means to the State for conducting procurement transactions, may charge a reasonable fee to a bidder or offeror for the use of the electronic means.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>A fee may not be charged under §A of this regulation unless it is approved by the Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Commercial Law Article, §§21-101—21-120; State Finance and Procurement Article, §§11-204, 11-206, 12-101, 13-226, and 15-210, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: October 27, 2003 (30:21 Md. R. 1530)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01B amended effective September 18, 2023 (50:18 Md. R. 800)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02A amended effective March 3, 2025 (52:4 Md. R. 221)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03 amended effective April 29, 2024 (51:8 Md. R. 369)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>