reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  13-227 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 13 - Source Selection -- State Procurement Contracts|Subtitle 2 - Procedural Requirements|Part III - Contract Formation|Section 13-227 - Subcontractor Equal Access to Bonding Act of 2013

    (a)    If a prime contractor requires a subcontractor to provide a bid, performance, or payment bond on a procurement contract for services, supplies, or construction related services with the State, the prime contractor may not require bid, performance, or payment bonding from the subcontractor that is more stringent than the bonding requirements in §§ 13–207 and 13–216 of this subtitle and § 17–104 of this article.    (b)    A bid, performance, or payment bond that is provided by a subcontractor under subsection (a) of this section shall be accepted by the prime contractor if the bond would be accepted by the State and provided by:        (1)    a surety company authorized to do business in the State; or        (2)    the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority established in Title 5, Subtitle 5 of the Economic Development Article.    (c)    In a solicitation or pre–bid conference for a procurement contract for services, supplies, or construction related services with the State, the procurement agency shall provide notice to all bidders that bid security shall be:        (1)    a bond provided by a surety company authorized to do business in this State;        (2)    a bond provided by an individual surety that meets the requirements of §§ 13–207 and 13–216 of this subtitle and § 17–104 of this article;        (3)    cash; or        (4)    another form of security:            (i)    authorized by federal or State regulation; or            (ii)    that is satisfactory to the unit awarding the contract.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-201 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part I - "Appeals Board" Defined; Scope of Subtitle|Section 15-201 - "Appeals Board" Defined

    In this subtitle, “Appeals Board” means the Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-202 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part I - "Appeals Board" Defined; Scope of Subtitle|Section 15-202 - Scope of Subtitle

    Except to the extent authorized by regulation by the Board, this subtitle does not apply to a protest concerning any act or omission by a procurement agency under Title 14, Subtitle 6 of this article.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-205 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part II - Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals|Section 15-205 - Established

    There is a Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-206 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part II - Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals|Section 15-206 - Independent Unit

    The Appeals Board is an independent unit of the Executive Branch of the State government and, except by statute, may not be made a part of another unit of the State government.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-207 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part II - Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals|Section 15-207 - Membership

    (a)    The Appeals Board consists of 3 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.    (b)    Each member of the Appeals Board shall:        (1)    be qualified to serve in a quasi-judicial capacity; and        (2)    have a thorough knowledge of procurement practices and processes.    (c)    Before taking office, each appointee to the Appeals Board shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.    (d)    (1)    The term of a member is 5 years.        (2)    The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Appeals Board on October 1, 1988.        (3)    At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.        (4)    A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.    (e)    The Governor may remove a member of the Appeals Board for cause.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-208 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part II - Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals|Section 15-208 - Chairman of Appeals Board

    From among the members of the Appeals Board, the Governor shall designate a chairman.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-209 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part II - Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals|Section 15-209 - Full-Time Duties; Compensation; Staff

    (a)    Each member of the Appeals Board shall devote full time to the duties of office.    (b)    Each member of the Appeals Board is entitled to:        (1)    compensation in accordance with the State budget; and        (2)    reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.    (c)    The Appeals Board may employ a staff in accordance with the State budget.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-210 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part II - Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals|Section 15-210 - Regulations

    In accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article, the Appeals Board shall adopt regulations that provide for informal, expeditious, and inexpensive resolution of appeals before the Appeals Board.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-211 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part II - Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals|Section 15-211 - Jurisdiction; Finality of Decisions

    (a)    The Appeals Board shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide all appeals arising from the final action of a unit:        (1)    on a protest relating to the formation of a procurement contract, including a violation of § 13–212.1 of this article; or        (2)    except for a contract claim relating to a lease of real property, on a contract claim by a contractor or a unit concerning:            (i)    breach;            (ii)    performance;            (iii)    modification; or            (iv)    termination.    (b)    A decision of the Appeals Board is final, subject to any judicial review.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-212 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part II - Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals|Section 15-212 - Authority of Appeals Board as to Subpoenas, Oaths, and Testimony

    (a)    In connection with a proceeding authorized under this subtitle, the Appeals Board may:        (1)    administer oaths;        (2)    certify to all official acts; and        (3)    at the request of a party to the proceeding:            (i)    issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of documents; and            (ii)    compel the testimony of witnesses.    (b)    If a person fails to comply with a subpoena or order compelling testimony under this section, on petition of the Appeals Board, a court of competent jurisdiction may pass an order directing compliance with the subpoena or compelling testimony.    (c)    (1)    A person who, under oath, willfully makes a false statement about a matter before the Appeals Board is guilty of perjury.        (2)    A person who causes another person under oath to make a false statement about a matter before the Appeals Board is guilty of subornation of perjury.        (3)    A person who commits perjury or subornation of perjury under this section is subject to the penalty provided in §§ 9-101 and 9-102 of the Criminal Law Article.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-215 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part III - Procedures for Dispute Resolution|Section 15-215 - Definitions

    (a)    In this Part III of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    (1)    “Contract claim” means a claim that relates to a procurement contract.        (2)    “Contract claim” includes a claim about the performance, breach, modification, or termination of the procurement contract.    (c)    (1)    “Protest” means a complaint that relates to the formation of a procurement contract.        (2)    “Protest” includes a complaint about:            (i)    the qualifications of a bidder or offeror; or            (ii)    the determination of the successful bidder or offeror.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-216 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part III - Procedures for Dispute Resolution|Section 15-216 - Application of Administrative Procedure Act

    (a)    Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article does not apply to the disposition of a protest or a contract claim by:        (1)    a primary procurement unit;        (2)    a procurement officer; or        (3)    a unit.    (b)    The Appeals Board shall conduct its proceedings in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-217 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part III - Procedures for Dispute Resolution|Section 15-217 - Initiation of Protest or Contract Claim

    (a)    (1)    A prospective bidder or offeror, a bidder, or an offeror may submit a protest to the procurement officer.        (2)    A unit or a person who has been awarded a procurement contract may submit a contract claim to the procurement officer.    (b)    Except as provided in § 15-219 of this subtitle, a protest or contract claim shall be submitted within the time required under regulations adopted by the primary procurement unit responsible for the procurement.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-218 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part III - Procedures for Dispute Resolution|Section 15-218 - Procedure by Unit

    (a)    Except as provided under § 15–219 of this subtitle, a procurement officer who receives a protest or a contract claim from a contractor shall comply with this section.    (b)    (1)    On receipt of a protest or contract claim from a contractor, a procurement officer:            (i)    shall review the substance of the protest or contract claim;            (ii)    may request additional information or substantiation through an appropriate procedure;            (iii)    may discuss with interested parties and, if appropriate, may conduct negotiations with the person initiating the protest or contract claim; and            (iv)    shall comply with any applicable regulations.        (2)    Unless clearly inappropriate, the procurement officer shall seek the advice of the Office of the Attorney General.    (c)    (1)    Subject to subsection (b) of this section and consistent with the State budget and other applicable laws, the procurement officer shall:            (i)    resolve the protest or contract claim by agreement of the parties;            (ii)    wholly or partly deny the protest or contract claim; or            (iii)    wholly or partly grant the relief sought by the person who submitted the protest or contract claim.        (2)    The procurement officer promptly shall send the decision in writing to the reviewing authority.    (d)    Unless otherwise provided by regulation, the decision of the procurement officer shall be reviewed promptly by:        (1)    the head of the unit; and        (2)    the head of the principal department or other equivalent unit of which the unit is a part.    (e)    (1)    Except as provided under paragraph (3) of this subsection, the reviewing authority shall approve, disapprove, or modify the decision of the procurement officer within 180 days after receiving the contract claim or a longer period to which the parties agree.        (2)    The action of the reviewing authority under this subsection shall be the final action of the unit.        (3)    The reviewing authority may remand the proceeding with instructions to the procurement officer.        (4)    On remand, the procurement officer shall proceed under subsection (b) of this section in accordance with those instructions.    (f)    (1)    A decision not to pay a contract claim is a final action for the purpose of appeal to the Appeals Board.        (2)    The failure to reach a decision within the time required under subsection (e) of this section may be deemed, at the option of the contractor, to be a decision not to pay the contract claim.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-219.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part III - Procedures for Dispute Resolution|Section 15-219.1 - Contract Claim Against a Contractor

    (a)    (1)    A unit may assert a contract claim against a contractor by sending written notice to the contractor and the procurement officer that states:            (i)    the basis for the contract claim;            (ii)    to the extent known, the amount, or the performance or other action, requested by the unit in the contract claim; and            (iii)    the date by which the contractor is required to provide a written response to the contract claim.        (2)    On receipt of a contract claim from a unit, a procurement officer:            (i)    shall review the substance of the contract claim;            (ii)    may request additional information or substantiation through an appropriate procedure; and            (iii)    may discuss or, if appropriate, negotiate the contract claim with the unit or contractor.        (3)    The procurement officer shall proceed under subsection (b) of this section if the contractor fails to respond, provides an inadequate response, or denies the contract claim or the relief sought by the unit in whole or in part.    (b)    (1)    If the contractor and the unit do not resolve the contract claim, the procurement officer shall prepare a proposed decision on the contract claim, including:            (i)    a description of the contract claim;            (ii)    references to pertinent contract provisions;            (iii)    a statement of factual areas of agreement or disagreement; and            (iv)    a statement in the proposed decision wholly or partly granting or denying the relief sought, with supporting rationale.        (2)    Unless otherwise provided by regulation, the procurement officer shall submit the contract claim and proposed decision to:            (i)    the head of the unit; and            (ii)    the head of the principal department or other equivalent unit of which the unit is a part.        (3)    (i)    The reviewing authority shall approve, modify, or disapprove the proposed decision.            (ii)    In disapproving a proposed decision, the reviewing authority may remand the contract claim with instructions to the procurement officer.            (iii)    On remand, the procurement officer shall proceed as required under this subsection and in accordance with the instructions of the reviewing authority.        (4)    The decision of the reviewing authority is the final action of the unit.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-220 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part III - Procedures for Dispute Resolution|Section 15-220 - Appeal From Unit's Decision -- in General

    (a)    Except for a contract claim related to a lease for real property, a bidder or offeror, a prospective bidder or offeror, a unit, or a contractor may appeal the final action of a unit to the Appeals Board.    (b)    An appeal under this section shall be filed:        (1)    for a protest, within 10 days after receipt of the notice of a final action; and        (2)    for a contract claim, within 30 days after receipt of the notice of a final action.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-221 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part III - Procedures for Dispute Resolution|Section 15-221 - Appeal From Unit's Decision -- Procedures

    (a)    If a person appeals the decision of a unit about a protest, the Appeals Board shall:        (1)    give that case priority over other matters not involving protests before the Appeals Board; and        (2)    decide it expeditiously.    (b)    (1)    For any appeal, the Appeals Board may require each party to file a brief.        (2)    If briefs are required, the Appeals Board shall establish the order and time limits for filing briefs after consultation with both parties.    (c)    Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, in a case before the Appeals Board, a party may obtain discovery about any matter that:        (1)    is not privileged; and        (2)    is relevant to the subject matter involved in that case.    (d)    In an appeal from a decision about a protest, discovery shall be limited to requests for the production of documents unless the Appeals Board determines that extraordinary circumstances require additional limited discovery to avoid substantial unfairness or prejudice.    (e)    In an appeal from a decision about a contract claim, unless both parties agree to a longer period, the Appeals Board shall issue its final decision within 180 days after the day on which:        (1)    all briefs have been filed; or        (2)    if later, the record has been closed.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-221.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part III - Procedures for Dispute Resolution|Section 15-221.1 - Appeal From Unit's Decision -- Costs Incurred by Bidder or Offeror

    (a)    The Board of Contract Appeals may award a prospective bidder or offeror, a bidder, or an offeror the reasonable costs of filing and pursuing a protest, not including attorney’s fees, if:        (1)    the prospective bidder or offeror, bidder, or offeror appeals the final action of an agency on a protest;        (2)    the Board of Contract Appeals sustains the appeal; and        (3)    the Board of Contract Appeals finds that there has been a violation of law or regulation.    (b)    The Board of Contract Appeals shall adopt regulations to implement this section and to determine what constitutes reasonable costs of filing and pursuing a protest.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-221.2 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part III - Procedures for Dispute Resolution|Section 15-221.2 - Appeal From Unit's Decision -- Costs Incurred by Contractor

    (a)    This section only applies to a claim resulting under a contract for construction.    (b)    The Appeals Board may award to a contractor the reasonable costs of filing and pursuing a claim, including reasonable attorney’s fees, if the Appeals Board finds that the conduct of unit personnel in processing a contract claim is in bad faith or without substantial justification.    (c)    The Appeals Board shall adopt regulations to implement this section.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-222 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part III - Procedures for Dispute Resolution|Section 15-222 - Interest

    (a)    Notwithstanding any provision of a procurement contract, the Appeals Board may award interest on money that the Appeals Board determines to be due to the unit or the contractor under a contract claim.    (b)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, interest may accrue from a day that the Appeals Board determines to be fair and reasonable after hearing all the facts until the day of the decision by the Appeals Board.        (2)    Interest may not accrue before the procurement officer receives a contract claim from the unit or the contractor.    (c)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, an award under a decision by the Appeals Board shall accrue interest until the day on which the award is paid.        (2)    If an award is reduced as a result of a judicial review of the decision of the Appeals Board, interest shall be paid only on the reduced award.    (d)    The rate of interest under this section shall be the rate of interest on judgments as provided under § 11-107(a) of the Courts Article.
MD. State Finance and Procurement Code Ann. §  15-223 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|State Finance and Procurement|Division II - General Procurement Law|Title 15 - Procurement Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution|Subtitle 2 - Dispute Resolution|Part III - Procedures for Dispute Resolution|Section 15-223 - Judicial Review and Enforcement

    (a)    (1)    A decision of the Appeals Board is subject to judicial review in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.        (2)    Any party to an Appeals Board decision, including a unit, may appeal a final decision of the Appeals Board to a court of competent jurisdiction.    (b)    When a decision about a protest or contract claim has become final and is no longer subject to judicial review, the determination shall be enforceable in the appropriate court.