Agencies

1. Are Requesting Agencies required to send the Purchase Order request for Proposals (PORFP) or Task Order Request for Proposals (TORFP) to every Master Contractor in the designated Functional Area?
2. May a Requesting Agency send a PORFP or TORFP only to Master Contractors certified as Small Business Reserve (SBR)?
3. May a Requesting Agency send a PORFP or TORFP only to Master Contractors certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)?
4. Who will actually send the PORFP or TORFP to the Master Contractors?
5. Is there a mailing list that a Requesting Agency can use to send out a PORFP or TORFP?
6. Is it required that Department of Information Technology (DoIT) review a Requesting Agency PORFP or TORFP prior to release to the Master Contractors?
7. How long will DoIT take to review an award recommendation for a PORFP or TORFP?
8. Where do agencies go to find guidance on the PORFP or TORFP?
9. Are Requesting Agencies required to follow up with Master Contractors who fail to submit a PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Form?
10. Are Requesting Agencies required to submit completed PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Forms to DoIT?
11. How can a Requesting Agency track the status of a PORFP or TORFP?
12. Are procurements executed under the Cable and Wire Materials and Services Master Contract subject to DoIT review and assessment?

Master Contractors

1. How will Master Contractors know about PORFP or TORFP opportunities for which they can compete?
2. Do Master Contractors have to reply to every PORFP or TORFP that they receive?
3. Who do Master Contractors contact if they have questions or concerns about a PORFP or TORFP that they have received?
4. How can Master Contractors update contact information on the Cable and Wire Materials and Services Master Contract web page?
5. Do certified MBE Master Contractors still have to meet MBE goals?
6. If a Master Contractor has 8(a) certification, do they automatically qualify as a State of Maryland SBR or MBE?
7. Where can Master Contractors find certified Maryland MBE companies with whom to partner?
8. Can Master Contractors meet with the agencies to find out their future needs?
9. May Master Contractors submit a PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Form online for a previously issued PORFP or TORFP?
10. May Master Contractors edit a PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Form after it has been submitted?
11. May Master Contractors submit one PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Form for multiple PORFPs or TORFPs?
12. May Master Contractors view PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Forms submitted by other Master Contractors?
13. How will the State use data provided in the PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Form?
14. How do companies enlist to become Cable and Wire Materials and Services Master Contractors?
15. Where can a list of all the Cable and Wire Materials and Services Master Contractors be found?
    

Agencies:

1. Are Requesting Agencies required to send the PORFP or TORFP to every Master Contractor in the designated Functional Area or Areas?
   
   With the exception of PORFPs or TORFPs designated as Small Business Reserve (SBR) Only (see Question #2 below), agencies must email the PORFP or TORFP to ALL Master Contractors listed under the Functional Area for which the PORFP or TORFP has been issued. Based on an evaluation of Master Contractor proposals received in response to a PORFP or TORFP, agencies will select a Master Contractor to provide the requested equipment and/or services.
   
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2. May a Requesting Agency send a PORFP or TORFP only to Master Contractors certified as a Small Business Reserve (SBR)?
   
   Yes. PORFPs and TORFPs may be designated as SBR Only. Also see Question #3 below.
   
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3. May a Requesting Agency send a PORFP or TORFP only to Master Contractors certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)?
   
   No. With the exception of PORFPs and TORFPs designated as SBR Only, agencies must email the PORFP or TORFP to ALL Master Contractors listed under the Functional Area for which the PORFP or TORFP has been issued.
   
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4. Who will actually send the PORFP or TORFP to the Master Contractors?
   
   The Point of Contact (POC) from the agency requesting the products and/or services must email the PORFP or TORFP to the appropriate Master Contractors.
   
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5. Is there a mailing list that a Requesting Agency can use to send out a PORFP or TORFP?
   
   Yes. Click on Select Master Contractor Contact List in the right panel. Follow the prompts to filter, select, and export to email the appropriate list of Master Contractors applicable to the agency’s PORFP or TORFP. If the PORFP or TORFP is designated as a Small Business Reserve (SBR) Only, then agencies will filter, select and email the PORFP or TORFP only to Master Contractors designated as SBRs.
   
   Because Master Contractors are required to regularly update their contact information with status or contact changes, agencies should export the data from the web page each time a PORFP or TORFP is to be sent, rather than saving and reusing it in the future.
   
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6. Is it required that DoIT review a Requesting Agency PORFP or TORFP prior to release to the Master Contractors?
   
   DoIT review of the TORFP is required prior to release to the Master Contractors. It is not necessary for DoIT to review PORFPs prior to release. However, the Requesting Agency must send an award recommendation to DoIT for review and approval prior to the award being issued.
   
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7. How long will DoIT take to review an award recommendation for a PORFP or TORFP?
   
   The DoIT turnaround time on an award recommendation for a PORFP depends largely on the quality of the award recommendation by the Requesting Agency. Agencies should use the Cable and Wiring Materials and Services Award Package Checklist to create the recommendation. Well written award recommendations with all necessary elements take less time to review and approve than those requiring follow-up with the agency.
   
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8. Where do agencies go to find guidance on the PORFP or TORFP?
   
   Click on Agency Service Center in the Contract Links panel.
   
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9. Are Requesting Agencies required to follow up with Master Contractors who fail to submit a PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Form?
   
   Yes. Requesting Agencies are responsible to ensure that all Master Contractors who do not submit proposals do submit a PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Form.
   
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10. Are Requesting Agencies required to submit completed PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Forms to DoIT?
    
    No. DoIT will review Feedback Response Forms during periodic contract management.
    
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11. How can a Requesting Agency track the status of a PORFP or TORFP?
    
    Agencies must distribute and track the status of their own PORFPs and TORFPs. Agencies should establish electronic and physical files for organizing and storing all related email, proposals, feedback forms, etc. Agencies must also follow ADPICS procedures for establishing Purchase Orders/BPOs, and can check ADPICS for DoIT approval.
    
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12. Are procurements executed under the Cable and Wiring Materials and Services Master Contract subject to DoIT review and assessment?
    
    Yes. DoIT will review and assess a portion of the procurements executed under this Master Contract. The goal of such assessments is to determine that Requesting Agencies and Master Contractors are adhering to required contract procedures, terms and conditions.
    
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Master Contractors:

1. How will Master Contractors know about PORFP and TORFP opportunities for which they can compete?
   
   All Master Contractors listed under the Functional Area for which a PORFP or TORFP has been issued are to receive the PORFP or TORFP. Based on an evaluation of proposals received in response to PORFPs and TORFPs, a Master Contractor will be selected to provide the requested equipment and/or services. If the PORFP or TORFP is designated as Small Business Reserve (SBR) Only, then the PORFP or TORFP will be sent only to certified SBR Master Contractors.
   
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2. Do Master Contractors have to reply to every PORFP or TORFP that they receive?
   
   Yes. Each Master Contractor must submit one of two possible responses by the specified proposal due date to each PORFP or TORFP it receives: 1) a proposal, or 2) a PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Form explaining why the Master Contractor is not submitting a proposal.
   
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3. Who do Master Contractors contact if they have questions or concerns about a PORFP or TORFP that they have received?
   
   Each PORFP and TORFP includes a designated POC and complete contact information, to whom all questions or concerns must be addressed.
   
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4. How can Master Contractors update contact information on the Cable and Wiring Materials and Services Master Contract web page?
   
   To update company contact information, click on Master Contractor Login in the Contract Links panel. Each Master Contractor received an email giving them a username and password to log in. If a Master Contractor did not receive login information, an email should be sent to central.procurement@maryland.gov​.
   
   Note - agencies will distribute PORFPs and TORFPs according to the Master Contractor's PORFP/TORFP contact information shown on the web page. It is incumbent upon each Master Contractor to ensure that all of their information on the web site is correct. If at any time during normal business hours assistance is needed, please send an email to central.procurement@maryland.gov.
   
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5. Do certified MBE Master Contractors still have to meet MBE goals?
   
   Yes. All prime contractors must meet or exceed the established MBE goal for each TORFP issued under Functional Area II – Installation and Functional Area III – Testing and Maintenance. For more information on the MBE Program, please go to the MBE web site. Also see the Cable and Wiring Materials and Services RFP, Attachment D, on MBE requirements.
   
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6. If a Master Contractor has 8(a) certification, do they automatically qualify as a State of Maryland SBR or MBE?
   
   No. Neither 8(a) certification through the Small Business Administration, a federal agency, nor certification through the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is the same as Maryland MBE certification. For more information on becoming a certified Maryland MBE, go to MDOT’s MBE web site. For more information on becoming a certified Maryland SBR, go to DGS’ SBR website.
   
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7. Where can Master Contractors find certified Maryland MBE companies with whom to partner?
   
   The Cable and Wiring Materials and Services Master Contractor list identifies Master Contractors that have indicated that they are certified under MDOT’s MBE program. As MBE status may change, partners should confirm the current MBE status on MDOT’s MBE web site.
   
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8. Can Master Contractors meet with the agencies to find out their future needs?
   
   Master Contractors may meet with agencies to find out about their organization and business processes. Please do not spend time marketing the company and definitely do not discuss possible solutions to problems as this can disqualify Master Contractors from submitting proposals to the agency's formal solicitations.
   
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9. May Master Contractors submit a PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Form online for a previously issued PORFP or TORFP?
   
   Yes. Master Contractors may submit a PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Form online for any Cable and Wiring Materials and Services - Outside Plant Master Contract PORFP or TORFP previously or currently issued, even if the PORFP or TORFP has been awarded. However, Master Contractors are strongly encouraged to submit feedback forms on or before the proposal due date.
   
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10. May Master Contractors edit a PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Form after it has been submitted?
    
    No. Once the PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Form has been submitted for each solicitation for which a proposal is not submitted, the data will be accessible only in "read only" format. The submitting Master Contractor should contact the PORFP or TORFP POC to discuss off-line edits.
    
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11. May Master Contractors submit one Feedback Response Form for multiple PORFPs or TORFPs?
    
    No. An individual Feedback Response Form must be submitted for each PORFP or TORFP for which Master Contractors decline to submit a proposal.
    
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12. May Master Contractors view PORFP or TORFP Feedback Response Forms submitted by other Master Contractors?
    
    No. Master Contractors may not view Feedback Response Forms submitted by other Master Contractors.
    
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13. How will the State use data provided in the Feedback Response Form?
    
    The information from the Feedback Response Form will assist DoIT in improving the quality of PORFPs and TORFPs and the solicitation process, and in ensuring that the Cable and Wiring Materials and Services Master Contract is a successful vehicle for the business community and the State.
    
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14. How do companies enlist to become Cable and Wiring Materials and Services Master Contractors?
    
    Master Contractors cannot be added to the current Master Contract.
    
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15. Where can a list of all the Cable and Wiring Materials and Services Master Contractors be found?
    
    Click Master Contractors  in the Contract Links panel.
    
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