Commissioners approve package of sole‑source grants, leases and renewals; reject single‑bid airport demolition

Washington County commissioners on Wednesday approved several sole‑source grant awards, a three‑year vehicle lease, and a contract renewal, and voted to reject a single‑bid airport demolition solicitation, with each item passing on recorded voice votes of 4‑0.

The items included three sole‑source awards contingent on state funding: $60,528 to Horizon Goodwill Industries for enhancements to an existing youth shelter; $91,464 to the Washington County Department of Social Services for operating expenses of a family center and related support services; and $283,335 to Brook Lane for operating costs of a school‑based mental‑health program. Brandy Kentner, the county’s director of purchasing, said the awards are “contingent upon final approval of the funding from the governor’s office” and noted that the local management board had previously recommended the awards. “This does require all 4 commissioners approval today to move forward,” Kentner said.

The board also authorized an intergovernmental cooperative purchase of replacement computers from Dell Technologies for $141,677.72 using a national cooperative contract, and awarded a three‑year lease for two job‑program transit vehicles to Hagerstown Ford at $39,216.32 per year (total $122,310.72 over three years), contingent on final lease approval by the county attorney. Karen Vakner, a purchasing buyer, said funds for the first lease payment are budgeted in the department’s operating budget.

Separately, the board renewed a dumpster‑services contract at county wastewater facilities with BFI Waste Services LLC (doing business as Republic Services of Hagerstown), accepting a vendor request for a 5.2% price increase for FY26 based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index; the renewal represents the second and final optional one‑year renewal under the existing contract.

The board rejected a request for proposal for airport aircraft‑rescue and firefighting (ARFF) building demolition and related work after receiving a single bid of $2,997,800 against an engineer’s opinion of probable cost of $1,489,350. Andrew Ashland, director of public works, said Federal Aviation Administration rules require a cost analysis when only one bid is received; because the single bid could not be deemed reasonable, commissioners voted to reject and re‑advertise the solicitation.

Why it matters: the awards support youth homelessness services, family support, and school mental‑health services in Washington County, while the rejected airport bid requires re‑solicitation to meet FAA procurement rules.

Votes at a glance: - PUR1761 — Sole source to Horizon Goodwill Industries, $60,528, contingent on governor’s office funding — approved 4‑0. - PUR1760 — Sole source to Washington County Department of Social Services, $91,464, contingent on governor’s office funding — approved 4‑0. - PUR1763 — Sole source to Brook Lane for school‑based mental health, $283,335, contingent on governor’s office funding — approved 4‑0. - INTG‑250197 — Intergovernmental purchase of Dell computers, $141,677.72 — approved 4‑0. - PUR1738 — Lease of two transit vehicles to Hagerstown Ford, $39,216.32/year (total $122,310.72 over 3 years) — approved 4‑0; contingent on county attorney review. - PUR1620 — Renewal of dumpster services to Republic Services (BFI Waste Services LLC); vendor requested 5.2% increase — approved 4‑0. - PR1744 — Airport ARFF building demolition and related work: single bid of $2,997,800 rejected; board authorized re‑advertisement — approved 4‑0 to reject.

Commissioners did not allocate county general fund money for the three sole‑source grant awards; Kentner said the awards “do not require any county funding” and are funded through a community partnership agreement with the state. Where contingency on state approval was stated, the board’s vote authorized the county to enter the local contract once state funding and the community partnership agreement are finalized.

Commissioners and staff said solicitations were advertised on the Maryland e‑Marketplace, the county website and in local newspapers, and in several cases multiple firms downloaded solicitation documents though few submitted bids.

Ending: The board directed staff to re‑advertise the airport solicitation and to proceed with contract finalization subject to the stated contingencies and legal review.