Maryland Department of General Services

Team members from DGS’ Office of State Procurement had the opportunity to tour the Maryland State House. They walked through the current and old House of Delegates and Senate Chambers. The tour guide provided in-depth knowledge of Maryland, state government and the legislative process. The tour ended with a climb to the State House dome. Connecting with colleagues outside of the office made it that more enjoyable. 

Weekly Safety Tip If the little voice says, “I wonder if this is safe to do?” It probably isn’t.

Havre de Grace’s New Combined Services Maintenance Shops project is 75% complete and scheduled to be completed in February 2025. The buildings are designed and constructed to comply with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEEDNC™ Green Building Rating System, Silver rating. The Surface Equipment Maintenance Facility is a 43,000-gross square foot (gsf) multi-functional facility with an additional 6,017 gsf of detached supporting structures with four work bays, classrooms, and workshops. The Automotive Maintenance Facility is a 33,790 gsf structure with four work bays which were added as alternates during construction. It also includes offices and administrative work areas for CSMS maintenance, inspection, and administration. 

Today, DGS Secretary Atif Chaudhry participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the installation of the 200th electric vehicle charging port at the Ellicott City District Courthouse and Multi-Service Center. This milestone was achieved through the diligent efforts of the Maryland Department of General Services’ Office of Energy & Sustainability’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. An additional 82 state-owned charging ports are under construction at various state facilities.

The Maryland Green Purchasing Committee, chaired by the Maryland Department of General Services, was awarded the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, known as EPEAT, Purchaser Award for the state’s procurement of sustainable IT equipment for the fifth year in a row. EPEAT products are more energy-efficient, less toxic, longer-lasting, and easier to recycle. The award acknowledges Maryland’s procurement of sustainable IT in three important categories: computers and displays, imaging equipment, and servers. Award presented by Global Electronics Council.

The Barrack V project, which includes a new barrack, Eastern Regional Forensic Lab with educational and training spaces, satellite Computer Crimes section, and a new garage for servicing and maintaining police vehicles, is scheduled to be completed by August 2024. Other site improvements include a new fuel dispensing site, increased parking, and improved security and monitoring features are scheduled to be completed by November 2024. This project was designed and constructed to comply with the International Green Construction Code (IgCC).

Certain DGS employees had the opportunity to attend fire extinguisher training that was provided by the Annapolis Fire Department. The purpose of the training was to meet OSHA training requirements and to give staff who have never used a fire extinguisher hands-on experience. A simulator was used to analyze a participants’ PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep) technique. If the incorrect technique was used, the fire flared and participants were told to follow evacuation procedures. Sgt. Barry Shirriell was able to extinguish a fire in 5.5 seconds! 

Yesterday, Governor Moore announced the launch of the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments and Households (ENOUGH) Initiative. It’s a first-of-its-kind, community-based strategy to address concentrated child poverty in Maryland. ENOUGH offers both funding and technical support for communities most in need to develop solutions to deeply rooted challenges. Eligible communities can visit goc.maryland.gov to learn more and to apply for competitive funding.

DGS’ Office of Design, Construction, & Energy is overseeing the Hot Water and Security Fencing project at the Eastern Correctional Institute. The project involves installing a new high temperature hot water distribution system and new steam piping. This type of work is complex and requires coordination between the contractor and the facility staff. Also included in the scope of the project are lighting, site grading, plumbing, high security fencing, and perimeter security electronics.

Weekly Safety Tip Safety comes in cans. I can, you can, we can. Safety is no accident.