307 Gay Street - Clock Tower Restoration

Request for Proposals
The Commissioners of Cambridge invite qualified contractors to bid on the renovation and
repainting of the clock tower of the historic Cambridge Municipal Building, aka "Old City Hall".
The work will consist of the restoration of original decorative details with appropriate "in-kind"
materials, the repainting of the exterior of the clock tower and the doors and trim on the
building's facade.
PROJECT LOCATION:
Cambridge Municipal Building, aka "Old City Hall"
307 Gay Street, Cambridge, MD, 21613
PROJECT NAME:
307 GAY ST - CLOCK TOWER RESTORATION
ISSUE DATE: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11 AM
DUE DATE AND TIME: Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 11 AM
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION LOCATION:
Commissioners of Cambridge
Department of Public Works
1025 Washington Street, Cambridge, MD 21613
FUNDING SOURCES:
Maryland Historical Trust - Capital Grant 2023
Commissioners of Cambridge Annual Budget
The Commissioners of Cambridge, informally known as "The City of Cambridge," invite interested
and qualified firms to submit a proposal for professional contracting services to be rendered
toward the restoration of the clock tower of the Cambridge Municipal Building, aka "Old City Hall"
at 307 Gay Street, Cambridge MD, 21613.
Proposals should be received in hard copy at the Department of Public Works, 1025 Washington
Street, Cambridge, MD no later than 11:00 am on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at which time the
proposals received will be publicly opened and read aloud.

INTRODUCTION/ BACKGROUND
Cambridge was founded in 1684 and incorporated in 1793. It is the county seat for Dorchester
County on Maryland's Eastern Shore and has a diverse population of over 13,000. Cambridge is
located along the Choptank River and is less than 100 miles from Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC
and Wilmington, DE.
The Cambridge Municipal Building was designed by the architectural firm of Hopkins & Burton in
Baltimore and was built by Chas. E. Brohawn & Bros. Builders of Cambridge in 1926. The building
was dedicated as the seat of Cambridge's government on April 19, 1927.
The building has been vacant since 2008, except for the seasonal presence of the annual RFC
Holiday Train Garden. Despite the building vacancy, the clock mechanism has been maintained,
thus it continues to be lighted, the hands are operational, and it chimes at the hour. We estimate
the clock tower was last painted about 15 years ago.
The Commissioners' intent is to have the entire building renovated and returned to its original use
as the City's municipal building through a series of projects.
The project will be executed with the involvement and oversight of the State Historic Preservation
Office (the Maryland Historical Trust, "MHT"). The Maryland Historical Trust holds a preservation
easement on the property, which restricts alterations to the exterior of the building.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
This RFP focuses specifically on the clock tower, cupola, and decorative trim work. The successful
offeror will provide construction phase services for the restoration of the clock tower of the "Old
City Hall" at 307 Gay Street, Cambridge MD.
Specific areas of concern which are anticipated to be addressed with current funding include:
restoration of the clock tower and the building's facade. Tasks will include, but not be limited to:
* Investigate and analyze existing conditions
* Obtain required permits
* Restore/repair any rotten woodwork on the exterior using in-kind materials and
dimensions
* Repair/replace rotten/missing wood supports on interior clock faces using in-kind
materials and dimensions
* Replace the three missing finials (two urns and one acorn) with wooden replicas that
match the existing urns
* Replace the door to the roof and restore the awning over it using in-kind materials
* Scrape all peeling paint from the clock tower, including the door, the restored
awning and the roof vent. Caulk all gaps. Apply one coat of primer and two coats of
quality exterior paint to these surfaces. All wood elements must be cleaned and
prepared for painting using the gentlest methods possible.
RFP- 307 Gay St - Clock Tower Restoration Page 2 of 7

* Additional Scope to be bid as Option A: Repair rotten woodwork on the main facade.
Scrape, prime and paint the molding/trim on the building's main facade to include
the round window, the cornice, pilasters, door frames and wooden doors, and the
hose tower door. Caulk gaps and apply one coat of primer and two coats of quality
exterior pain to these surfaces. All wood elements must be cleaned and prepared for
painting using the gentlest methods possible.
* Additional scope to be bid as Option B: Prep and paint the wooden elements on the
sides of the building (excluding the hose tower door referenced in Option A). This
will include the large opening covered with black plywood on the southwest side of
the rear section, as well as the wooden structure to the right of the boarded area.
All work performed under this contract must comply with the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Rehabilitation. Please see https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/upload/treatment-
guidelines-2017-part1-preservation-rehabilitation.pdf for additional information.
The successful offeror should assume all paint has lead contaminants and proper protective
measures shall be taken for remediation and the safety of the workers and the environment.
The project will be partially funded through a Historic Preservation Capital Grant from the
Maryland Historical Trust (MHT). The Contractor will be required to carefully document and submit
project expenses with each request for payment. It may take 30-45 days or more to process
requests for payment to allow for review and processing by MHT.
The property is protected by a preservation easement that restricts alterations to the exterior of
the building, and the Commissioners of Cambridge have obtained the necessary approvals for this
project's scope. The project will be executed with the involvement and oversight of the State
Historic Preservation Office (MHT).
Please provide a cost proposal using the attached form and breakdown. Provide unit prices for
additional work using the attached form. The Contractor may submit their standard quote sheet
but must ALSO submit the filled out and signed cost proposal and unit prices forms.
The contract that results from this RFP will be a fixed-price contract. A bid bond will be required.
See details under proposal submission requirements.
The contracted firm will be compensated upon submission and approval by MHT of detailed
invoices outlining deliverables and work steps completed and reflecting prices as submitted with
the financial proposal. Payment may be expected within 30-45 days or more of presentation of a
satisfactory invoice and any supporting documentation to MHT.
RFP- 307 Gay St - Clock Tower Restoration Page 3 of 7

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE / SITE VISIT
A mandatory pre-proposal conference will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:00 AM at
City Council Chambers, 305 Gay Street, Cambridge, MD 21613. A site tour will immediately
follow the pre-proposal conference. Attendance at the pre-proposal conference and site visit is
mandatory for firms wishing to submit a proposal.
TIMETABLE
The selected contractor should expect to begin the project no later July 15, 2026. It is anticipated
that work should be completed by November 1, 2026.
QUALIFICATIONS
* The Contractor must hold a current license from the State of Maryland at the time of execution
of this document, applicable to the nature of the work.
* The Contractor and any subcontractors must demonstrate experience in working with historic
buildings. Please use the attached qualifications form.
* Please provide qualifications and references for contractors and any subcontractors on the
attached form.
* The Contractor must be insured and provide a Certificate of Additional Insured naming the
Commissioners of Cambridge.
* The preference is for a single proposal to cover all areas of scope; however, proposals focused
on a subset of the scope will be considered.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The selection of the contractor will be based on the following factors, in order of descending
importance:
1. Professional qualifications and experience.
2. Ability to complete the project within the time allotted.
3. Cost.
Professional qualifications, experience, and ability to complete the project within the time allotted
(technical merit) will have greater weight than cost (financial merit). The contract will be awarded
to the firm whose proposal is determined to be the most advantageous to the Commissioners of
Cambridge and may not necessarily be the lowest bidder. The Commissioners of Cambridge and
MHT reserve the right to reject any and all proposals, and/or waive informalities or irregularities,
and/or to accept or reject any items of any proposal, as it may deem best for its interest.
RFP PACKAGE
The RFP package consists of:
* This "Request for Proposals" document
* "Financial Proposal" blank form 1
* "RFP Narrative" form 2
* "Consultant / Subconsultant Qualifications Statement" blank form 3
* "Conflict of Interest Affidavit and Disclosure" blank form 4
RFP- 307 Gay St - Clock Tower Restoration Page 4 of 7

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
Proposals must be received in a sealed envelope clearly marked in the lower left-hand corner "RFP-
307 Gay Street Clock Tower Restoration" at:
Department of Public Works
City of Cambridge
1025 Washington Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
no later than 11AM on Thursday, June 6, 2026, at which time the proposals received will be publicly
opened and read aloud as to who the proposing vendors are and their financial bid. All material
submitted will become the property of the City, and the only information available at the proposal
opening will be the names of vendors submitting proposals and their bid. No facsimile of proposals
will be accepted.
Late submissions will not be considered.
A complete proposal submission consists of the following requirements:
1. A completed and signed "Financial Proposal" (form 1). Please enclose this form in a
separately sealed envelope within the larger envelope containing all of the other proposal
documents.
2. A completed "RFP Narrative" (form 2).
3. A completed "Consultant / Subconsultant Qualifications Statement" with no more than ten
pages of project-related supporting materials attached (form 3).
4. Resumes of up to four key project personnel: no more than twelve pages total for all
resumes together.
5. Completed "Conflict of Interest Affidavit and Disclosure" (form 4).
6. A sample copy of liability insurance certificate naming the Commissioners of Cambridge as
an additional insured (preferred with the proposal but MUST be submitted prior to signing a
contract).
7. A sample of your standard contract and warranties.
8. Copy of professional licenses and certifications.
9. Offeror's estimate of start date and time frame for project (This can be included in a cover
letter).
10. If offeror intends to engage any subcontractors for a portion of the work, they shall also
take affirmative steps to ensure that small, minority and women's businesses are used
when possible as sources of supplies, equipment, construction, and services. Identify
specific MBEs who would participate in the project as principals or subcontractors.
11. Each proposal must be accompanied by a Bid Bond payable to the Owner for five percent
(5%) of the total amount of the bid. No bidder may withdraw his bid within one hundred
(100) days after the actual date of the opening thereof.
RFP- 307 Gay St - Clock Tower Restoration Page 5 of 7

Submit all proposal materials, marked "2026-06-04-RFP-307 Gay Street Clock Tower Restoration"
to:
Department of Public Works
City of Cambridge
1025 Washington Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
FAILURE TO INCLUDE ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION WILL RENDER THE PROPOSAL NON-
RESPONSIVE.
NOTICES
Offerors should give specific attention to the identification of those portions of their proposals that
they deem to be confidential, proprietary information or trade secrets and provide any justification
why such materials, upon request, should not be disclosed by the State under the Access to Public
Records Act, State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 6, Annotated Code of Maryland.
MBE / WBE firms are encouraged to respond to this solicitation.
The Contractor and any Subcontractor must be Equal Opportunity Employers.
This is a highly visible project site, the Contractor must be committed to maintaining a neat
worksite and ensuring the safety of its employees, subcontractors, and the public who will be
present on adjacent properties.
By submitting a response to this solicitation, a vendor shall be deemed to represent that it is not in
arrears in the payment of any obligation due and owing the State of Maryland, Dorchester County,
or The Commissioners of Cambridge, including the payment of taxes and employee benefits, and
that it shall not become so in arrears during the term of the contract, if selected for contract award.
RFP- 307 Gay St - Clock Tower Restoration Page 6 of 7

Sample Photos of Clock Tower
Left: North View of Clock Tower from roof. Notice door to be replaced and
missing awning to be restored.
Right: West View of clock tower. Missing Acorn finial at upper right rail.
Left: South View of Clock Tower from ground. Missing Acorn finial at upper
left rail and missing urn finial at lower right rail.
Right: West view of tower from roof. Missing Urn finial at lower left rail.
RFP- 307 Gay St - Clock Tower Restoration Page 7 of 7

Contractor
Form 1 - Financial Proposal Form
Project Identification: 2026-06-04-RFP- 307 Gay Street Clock Tower Restoration
FIRM / TEAM
NAME:
Description Cost
Restoration of missing finials on clock tower
Restoration of roof door & awning
Repair of other woodwork - clock tower
Painting: Scrape, caulk, prime, paint - clock tower
Other:
1. TOTAL Clock Tower:
Option A: Repair of woodwork - building facade;
Painting: Scrape, caulk, prime, paint -building facade's
trim and wooden doors and hose tower door and
transom
Option A: Other cost components: (specify)
2. TOTAL Option A:
Option B: Painting: Scrape, caulk, prime, paint wooden
components on the building's sides.
Option B: Other cost components: (specify)
3. TOTAL Option B:
4. Total 1 + 2:
5. Total 1 + 2 +3:
Use additional pages, if necessary to fully describe cost components for this project.
HOURLY / UNIT COSTS: Please provide hourly rates for team members and unit rates for
any relevant materials.
Name / Title / Role Hourly Rate

ADDENDA: Please fill in and initial to acknowledge receipt of RFP Addenda, if applicable.
Addendum Number and Date Initials
We hereby submit our proposal to the Commissioners of Cambridge for the 307 Gay Street -
Clock Tower Restoration Project.
1. I/We have received, read, and fully understand the drawings /specifications for the project, the
Request for Proposals, and the Addenda.
2. I/We have examined the site, existing structures, access roads, existing utilities, and all existing
conditions which affect the construction proposal.
3. I/We are able to provide all the materials, products, labor, equipment, supervision, managerial
and professional services necessary for the project, and are able to construct the project as
intended by the above-mentioned specifications.
4. I/We are able to complete this project within the stipulated calendar days and/or critical
completion dates specified by the Owner.
5. I/We clearly understand that this Financial Proposal Form must be completed and submitted in
its entirety to be considered a responsive proposal. Failure to completely fill in all the blanks
may be cause for rejection of this proposal.
6. I/We clearly understand that the proposal price will be firm for a time period of [insert # days]
calendar days from the proposal opening date.
7. The firm represents, and it is a condition precedent to acceptance of this proposal, that the firm
has not been a party to any agreement to propose a fixed or uniform price.
Proposal submitted by representative hereby designated as project contact:
NAME:
TITLE & FIRM NAME:
ADDRESS:
PHONE:
E-MAIL:
FEDERAL EIN #
DATE:
SIGNATURE:
RFP- 2026-06-04-307 Gay St - Clock Tower Restoration Form 1 Page 2 of 2

Contractor
Form 2 - RFP Narrative
Project Identification: 2026-06-04-RFP- 307 GAY STREET CLOCK TOWER RESTORATION
Use Additional Sheets, as needed.
FIRM / TEAM NAME:
1. Please describe how you will approach this project.
2. How will you access the work area and how will you protect the project site?
3. How will you ensure the safety of your team and the public?
RFP- 307 Gay St - Clock Tower Restoration Form 3 Page 1 of 2