Did You Know? DGS Delivers Quality of Life for all Marylanders

Construction of the Harriet Tubman Visitors Center on the Eastern Shore is being overseen by Facilities Planning, Design and Construction.

Lauren Bucker, Assistant Secretary, Facilities Planning, Design and Construction

Facilities Planning Design & Construction manages projects statewide, ranging from state park improvements to restoration of the Old Senate Chamber in the State House. There are three units within the Division: Project Management & Design, Construction and Inspection, and Maintenance Engineering. The Division is responsible for statewide project review, as well as architect and engineer selection for all projects, with the exception of the University System of Maryland, the Maryland Department of Transportation, Morgan State University and St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Project Management & Design

Project Management and Design verifies and modifies project scope, reviews and approves capital projects, establishes project schedules, and coordinates with appropriate state agencies and grantees. Additionally, the unit develops architect and engineer contract scopes of work, monitors the construction budget and schedules during design and construction, and reviews and recommends approval of change orders during construction.

Construction and Inspection

This unit supervises private contractors as they modify, renovate or construct state buildings and property. Closely monitoring the construction process and performing inspections, the unit verifies compliance with approved drawings and specifications and ensures that DGS delivers quality facilities. From the mountains of Western Maryland to the shores of the state’s Atlantic coast, the unit manages projects that improve the quality of life for all Marylanders.

Maintenance Engineering

Maintenance engineering administers comprehensive maintenance services under one million dollars for state-owned facilities. From design and bidding to construction and administration, the Maintenance and Engineering unit is responsible for all project phases.

Maintenance Engineering also coordinates the Preventative Maintenance Operations program, which requires facility self-assessments to identify and prioritize improvements, which are paid for using allocated funding. It also manages the budgets for Program Open Space and the Capital, Operating, Critical Maintenance,  underground tank replacement and hazardous waste programs. Additionally, the unit is responsible for the majority of emergency projects requested by state agencies, thus ensuring the continued health and safety of employees and visitors to the agenices.

Public School and Community College Construction Grant Programs

DGS helps administer the Public School Construction program with the Department of Planning, the Department of Education and Board of Public Works staff. The agency reviews requests from every local education agency, participates in public hearings, reviews design documents for all public school projects receiving state funding, and recommends authorizing projects to be bid for construction.

The agency coordinates with the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Planning to administer the Community College Capital Improvement program. Its work doesn’t stop there. DGS also reviews master plans, programs and design documents for each project getting state funding, and makes sure state funds are paid.

FY15 Public School and Community College Construction Grant Program

• The General Assembly approved $325 million in grants for public school construction and $65 million for community college construction.
• The Public School Construction program allocated grant funds to 183 projects across 25 local education agencies, with a total value of nearly $1.55 billion, including state and local funding.
• Twenty-four new public school projects were also approved for planning.
• The Community College Construction program allocated grant funds for 12 projects at nine community colleges, with a total value of approximately $327 million.