Harford County Board of Estimates approves $1.25 million backup service, multiple contracts and fleet replacements

Harford County officials approved a slate of procurement awards and contract change orders during the Board of Estimates meeting on May 19, 2026, moving forward a cybersecurity backup service, emergency-services software updates, school-sports-surface replacement and multiple fleet purchases.

Stephen Wood, representing the Office of Information and Communication Technology, recommended the county purchase Cohesity Data Protect Service with FortKnox (piggybacking University of Virginia contract RFP-UVA-0074) to cover hardware maintenance and Microsoft O365 cloud backups. The Office recommended awarding the contract to IP DataSystems, Incorporated of Ellicott City for $1,250,994.57. Treasurer Robert Sandlass moved approval; Joseph Siemek, Director of the Department of Public Works, seconded. The motion passed unanimously with two members absent.

Mike Brunicke of the Department of Emergency Services presented three change orders (Nos. 12–14) for the Interact Public Safety Information System (Solicitation No. 11-093). The change orders, totaling $47,925, support CAD capabilities for complex Fire and EMS responses, mutual-aid backup and an integration with the county’s Skydio drone flight program; they increase the contract ceiling with Colossus, Incorporated to $499,485.89 per year.

The Board approved several Department of Public Works recommendations: an on-call contract for removal and installation of W-beam guardrails not to exceed $350,000 per year (Guardrails, Etc. Inc.); an on-call water and sewer equipment and supplies agreement not to exceed $200,000 per year (Core & Main LP); and a $622,493.75 award to ATC Corporation to remove and replace the tennis and multi-use courts at Magnolia Middle School.

The Department of Economic Development won Board approval for on-call countywide media production services (Solicitation No. 26-288) to support tourism marketing, with an aggregate not-to-exceed amount of $200,000 per year distributed among five vendors.

Parks and Recreation presented a package of vehicle replacements procured via a Howard County piggyback contract (No. 4400004546) and recommended awards to Hertrich Fleet Services, Inc. Purchases included a 2026 Ford F-550 pick-up with utility bed for $89,164 (replacing a 2008 Chevrolet), a 2026 Ford F-550 pick-up with utility bed for $85,824 (replacing a 2012 Ford), a 2026 Ford F-550 extended cab for $87,487 (replacing a 2012 Ford F-350), a 2026 Ford F-350 crew cab for $63,062 (replacing a 2016 Ford F-350), and two 2026 Ford F-350 extended cab trucks with snowplows totaling $122,512 (replacing two 2012 trucks). Presenters said the outgoing units had reached the end of their useful life; the department expects to sell the older vehicles at auction for approximately $7,000–$9,000 each.

Jacqueline Howard, speaking for County Council/Harford TV, asked the Board to approve Change Order #1 for Dennis W. Cassidy Jr., an independent contractor who serves as studio and van director and as an audio, graphics and camera operator; the change order increases his contract by $5,100 to a not-to-exceed $30,000 per year.

For each item presented the usual motion pattern was used: Treasurer Robert Sandlass moved and Joseph Siemek seconded; each motion was recorded as approved unanimously with two members absent. With no further business, the Board adjourned at 1:27 p.m.

The meeting minutes list Section 41-25 of the Harford County Code as the procurement authority for the awards; piggyback and cooperative purchasing contracts cited included a University of Virginia RFP, Sourcewell, Region 14 Education Service Center/Omnia Partners, and a Howard County contract number for vehicle purchases.