Consultant Services for a Comprehensive Update to the Critical Area Ordinance

The Dorchester County Council is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants to perform a comprehensive update of the Dorchester County Critical Area Ordinance, specifically County Code Chapter 68. The project requires the consultant to resolve inconsistencies between the ordinance and various county plans, including the Zoning Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, and Subdivision Regulations. Key tasks include identifying potential map amendments consistent with Natural Resources Article §8-1809, incorporating an updated Resource Inventory from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and determining accurate growth allocation recordation. The final updated ordinance must be effective by June 30, 2027, with deliverables including ten paper copies, one electronic PDF, and editable GIS data compatible with ArcGIS Pro. The contract is subject to the terms of the FY27 Grant Agreement #K00P7600143 between the Critical Area Commission and Dorchester County. Selected consultants must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate, as well as automobile and workers' compensation insurance. Payment will be made via monthly itemized invoices based on the percentage of project completion, with a 10% retainage held until the final delivery of all project components. Proposals must be submitted in a sealed physical format by December 2, 2026, and must include a lump sum cost proposal, a work plan, and a maximum ten-page body detailing the consultant's qualifications and approach.