<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 21.05.14.02" title_num="21" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="14" heading="Invitation for Auction Bids.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Subject to subsection §B of this regulation, an invitation for auction bids shall include:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The specifications of the procurement contract;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Whether the procurement contract will be awarded based on the lowest bid price or the lowest evaluated bid price;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If the procurement contract will be based on evaluated bid price, the objective measurable criteria by which the lowest evaluated bid price will be determined;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The small business preference, if designated under COMAR 21.11.01.05;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The date and time when bidding will commence and the date and time when bidding will end or the event upon which bidding will end;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The mandatory solicitation requirements set forth in COMAR 21.05.08; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>A summary of the factors used to determine the expected degree of minority business enterprise participation, including subcontracting opportunities identified for the project, any applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes linked to the subcontracting opportunities, and the number of certified minority business enterprises in those industries.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>In the discretion of the procurement officer, the invitation for auction bids may:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Include a request for unpriced technical offers or samples;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Direct bidders to submit price bids after the unit evaluates the technical offers or samples and finds they are acceptable under the criteria set forth in the invitation for auction bids; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Inform all bidders who submitted technical offers or samples of the identity of each bidder who submitted an acceptable technical offer or sample.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A unit shall give public notice of an invitation for auction bids in the same manner as required for an invitation for bids under COMAR 21.05.02.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The period of time between the date of publication of the invitation for auction bids and the date and time when bidding will commence shall be a minimum of 20 days.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>