Maryland DHS small procurements: how to read and respond (unarmed guard services spotlight)

Executive takeaway

The Maryland Department of Human Services is seeking unarmed guard services for Harford County DSS across three specified locations, with a short performance window (“Contract is for 3 months”) and a fast turnaround (proposal due 8/15/2022 at 1:00 PM). This reads like a template-driven small procurement where execution readiness (staffing coverage, post orders, rapid mobilization) and clean pricing in the provided bid form will likely matter as much as narrative.

What the buyer is trying to do

The notice describes “Unarmed Guard Services for Harford County DSS” at three locations in/around Bel Air, Maryland:

• 2 South Main Street (Mary Risteau Building)
• 101 South Main Street, Suite 200, Bel Air, MD 21014
• Family Investment office, 2029 Pulaski Highway, Harve(r), Maryland 21008

In practical terms, the buyer appears to be quickly securing on-site safety coverage for client-facing social services environments, likely with standardized state terms (the notice references a “DHS Small Procurement Solicitation Model”).

What work is implied (bullets)

• Provide unarmed guard coverage for three DHS/DSS locations in Harford County for a 3-month term (confirm exact dates in attachments).
• Staffing, scheduling, and supervision sufficient to cover the required posts/hours (verify exact shifts and minimum staffing in exhibits/solicitation).
• Compliance with Maryland DHS small procurement terms and any required forms (bid form, exhibits, and solicitation model are listed as attachments).
• Site-specific post orders and reporting expectations (likely in exhibits; verify in attachments).
• Rapid mobilization after award (implied by short contract duration and quick due date).

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid if you can recruit and deploy unarmed guards quickly in Harford County and are comfortable working under a Maryland DHS small procurement template.
• Bid if you have proven coverage for client-facing public offices (DSS environments tend to require de-escalation-ready personnel; confirm any training requirements in the exhibits).
• Pass if you cannot cover multiple sites concurrently or lack bench strength for short-term coverage.
• Pass if you typically require long ramp-up periods, extended contract terms, or heavily customized contract language.

Response package checklist (bullets; if unknown say “verify in attachments”)

• Completed Attachment A – Bid Form (listed in the notice; verify all tabs/fields in attachments).
• Signed/acknowledged small procurement solicitation forms (the notice lists “DHS-Small-Procurement-Solicitation-Model”; verify in attachments).
• Completed and signed exhibits (Exhibits 1–3 are listed; verify in attachments).
• Any required certifications/acknowledgements referenced in the solicitation model (verify in attachments).
• Submission confirmation that you met the due date/time and method required by the solicitation (verify in attachments).

Pricing & strategy notes (how to research pricing; do not invent pricing numbers)

Because this is a short (3-month) guard services requirement with a provided bid form, treat pricing as a compliance-first exercise:

• Use the bid form structure as your pricing “truth source.” Build your internal model to match the spreadsheet line items exactly (hours/posts/sites, if provided).
• Benchmark against DHS patterns by reviewing related DHS unarmed guard solicitations (see links below). Look for recurring exhibits, mandatory walkthrough language, and staffing assumptions.
• Validate site logistics (three locations) to avoid underpricing travel time, supervisor checks, and coverage overlap; confirm whether posts are simultaneous in the exhibits.
• Risk-price the short term: short contracts can drive higher recruitment/training and scheduling friction; decide whether to price a premium for rapid mobilization (without deviating from bid form instructions).

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• Team with a local guard firm that already has Harford County staffing depth to reduce ramp time (prime retains contract management and compliance).
• Use a subcontractor for overflow coverage (sick relief/backup) to protect performance in a multi-site schedule.
• If the exhibits call for specific reporting or procedures, team with a partner experienced in public-sector facility security documentation (verify in attachments).

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Attachment-driven requirements: key details (hours, staffing minimums, reporting, training) likely live in Exhibits 1–3; don’t assume—verify in attachments.
• Multi-location coverage: three sites are listed; confirm whether the buyer expects concurrent coverage and how many guards per location.
• Short procurement timeline: proposal due within days of issue date; ensure your submission method is correct and complete.
• Template compliance: DHS small procurement forms can be unforgiving—missing signatures or unacknowledged exhibits can sink an otherwise competitive price.

Related opportunities

• Unarmed Guard Services for Allegany County DSS (includes a walkthrough affidavit and multiple amendments—useful for anticipating Q&A cadence)
• Somerset County DSS – Unarmed Security Guards (Small Business Reserve language) (good reference for scope/requirements framing in DHS templates)
• Harford County DSS – Unarmed Security Guards (this notice)

How to act on this

1. Download and read the solicitation model, bid form, and Exhibits 1–3; build a compliance matrix (verify in attachments).
2. Confirm your staffing plan can cover all listed locations for the full 3-month term.
3. Price directly in the provided bid spreadsheet and double-check signatures/acknowledgements.
4. Submit before the stated deadline (8/15/2022 at 1:00 PM) using the method required in the solicitation.

If you want a second set of eyes on your compliance package and bid strategy for Maryland DHS small procurements, talk to Federal Bid Partners LLC about proposal support and submission readiness.