Adequate Public Safety Ordinance (APSO)

Charles County, Maryland, is soliciting proposals for consulting services to develop and implement an Adequate Public Safety Ordinance (APSO) aimed at managing growth by ensuring that new development does not negatively impact the adequacy of local public safety infrastructure, including fire, police, and emergency medical services. This initiative complements the existing Adequate Public Facilities (APF) element in the County’s Zoning Ordinance, which currently requires developers to provide or upgrade public water, roads, and school facilities to maintain an adequate level of service. The APSO study will evaluate current public safety capacity, forecast future needs based on growth projections, and explore potential funding mechanisms such as impact fees and land dedication options. The County is considering whether the APSO should be integrated into an expanded APF program or established as a standalone ordinance. The contract involves a fixed-price, lump-sum professional consulting engagement to be completed within 182 consecutive calendar days from the Notice to Proceed. Proposals will be evaluated on a best-value basis, considering cost (30 points), relevant experience and qualifications (25 points), project understanding and approach (20 points), company profile and key personnel (15 points), and knowledge of the local context (10 points). The solicitation requires electronic submission via the County’s eProcurement Portal, with a deadline of January 8, 2026. Key administrative provisions include detailed invoicing requirements, monthly progress payments up to 90% before final acceptance, and maintenance of financial records subject to audit. The contract includes local governance clauses on indemnification, consultant responsibilities, inspection, and acceptance at the delivery location in Charles County. Preference is given to Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBE) and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), with compliance plans and certification forms required. The consultant is responsible for all deliverables meeting County standards, including technical documents aligned with CSI MasterFormat, and must adhere to ethical, conflict of interest, and recordkeeping requirements specified in the solicitation.