ANNAPOLIS, Md.—The Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) has announced the release of an Invitation for Bid (IFB) to construct a new Maryland Supreme Court building.
This landmark project will be the only Supreme Court currently under construction in the U.S. and represents a significant investment in Maryland’s judicial infrastructure.
The building’s design is led by Fentress Architects with the aim of reaching or exceeding LEED Silver standards, and it will break new ground as Maryland’s first all-electric public building.
The five-story courthouse with underground parking will be built along Rowe Boulevard, just north of the Sweeney District Courthouse in Annapolis. Designed with both function and legacy in mind, the building will include 217,564 gross square feet of space.
The durable structure will feature a steel frame with a pre-cast concrete exterior and incorporate historical elements, including the relocation and installation of columns from the 1903 Supreme Court building and the historic Supreme Court courtroom that was built for that 1903 courthouse.
“DGS is honored to partner with the Maryland Judiciary on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a state-of-the-art world-class Supreme Court Building near our historic state capitol complex in Annapolis,” said DGS Secretary Atif Chaudhry. “This new building will not only celebrate over 240 years of the court’s history but will create a modern and efficient space for the Judiciary to continue to provide justice for all Marylanders.”
The courthouse will feature:
- Office space for the clerks’ offices of both the Appellate Court of Maryland and the
- Supreme Court of Maryland.
- Office space for the Standing Committee of Rules of Practice and Procedure and the
- State Board of Law Examiners
- The Thurgood Marshall State Law Library, including its special book collection
- A Maryland Legal History Museum
- Three Appellate Court of Maryland courtrooms
- The historic Supreme Court of Maryland courtroom
- Chambers for the justices, judges, and staff of the State’s two appellate courts
“This new courthouse will support our mission to provide fair, efficient and effective justice for all, while preserving and highlighting our rich legal history,” remarked Chief Judge Matthew Fader. “We look forward to welcoming the public and legal community to a facility that reflects the dignity and significance of Maryland’s judicial system.”
Participation Goals for the Project Include:
- 40% Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Participation Goal
- Including a minimum of 11% Women-Owned Business
- Including a minimum of 8% African-American-Owned Business
- 10% Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Participation Goal
The IFB for the courthouse construction is posted on the Maryland Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement website on the eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) platform. Interested general contractors and subcontractors who wish to do business with the state and remain informed about this and future procurement opportunities are encouraged to register their organizations on the eMMA website. All questions regarding the Supreme Court project should be submitted directly through eMMA, and a procurement officer will respond and upload answers to questions on the website.
