Development Services Plan Review

The County Commissioners of Charles County are seeking proposals from qualified professional engineering firms to perform third-party plan review services for Development Services Permits (DSPs), Conceptual Stormwater Management Plans (CSWMs), Site Stormwater Management Plans (SSWMs) and other various plan types. The purpose of these services is to ensure that all development projects submitted to the County comply with applicable state statutes, local ordinances, design standards, and engineering best practices. The Consultant will function as an extension of the County Engineer’s office, providing timely and professional technical review services to support efficient, accurate, and transparent permit processing.

Offerors that perform private development engineering or related professional services within Charles County shall maintain and, upon request, submit a written Conflict of Interest Management Plan. Such plan shall describe procedures for project screening, personnel separation, information controls, and disclosure of active development clients. The County reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine whether proposed safeguards are adequate and to reject a proposal or require additional measures if deemed necessary to protect the integrity of the review process.

The Offeror shall not perform plan review services under this Contract for any project in which the Contractor, its principals, employees, affiliates, or subcontractors:

1. Have provided design, engineering, surveying, consulting, or other professional services related to the same project.
2. Have a direct or indirect financial interest in the project; or
3. Maintain a current contractual or financial relationship with the applicant for the specific project under review.

The Offeror shall disclose in writing any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest immediately upon identification and prior to commencing review services. The County reserves the right to determine whether a conflict exists and may reassign the review or take other appropriate action.

The Offeror shall maintain written internal policies and procedures to ensure independence, prevent conflicts of interest, and maintain strict separation between plan review services performed under this Contract and any private-sector services conducted within Charles County.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in reassignment of work, termination for default, or other remedies available to the County under the Contract.

Charles County, Maryland is a growing community with a population of 160,000 and an annual growth rate between 1.5-2 percent. Third-party plan reviews are an important tool for Charles County as we seek to offer excellent customer service to the development and engineering community while ensuring the highest level of technical review for the benefit of our citizens. The ideal third-party reviewer would have strong technical expertise as well as excellent communication skills. Combined, these attributes would ensure an efficient review process and, to the extent possible, minimize the overall review timeline and/or number of overall reviews.