The MBE Certification Program is managed by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). University System of Maryland and all state agencies require minority businesses to be Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Certified.

Visit the Maryland Department of Transportation website to apply for MBE certification and/or view directory of certified minority businesses.

To be eligible for MBE certification, a business must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by at least one socially and economically disadvantaged group, including:

• African Americans
• Hispanic or Latine/x individuals
• Asian Pacific Americans
• Subcontinent Asian Americans
• Native Americans
• Women

Persons who own and control their business, but are not members of the above group, may be eligible for MBE certification if they can establish their social and economic disadvantage.

Disabled individuals may also apply for MBE certification. A determination of whether an individual meets MBE eligibility criteria is made on a case-by-case basis.

Under state procurement law, the SBR Program directs 70 participating agencies/departments (increased from 23) to spend at least 20 percent (increased from 15 percent) of its fiscal year procurement expenditures on qualified small businesses.

Once a solicitation has been designated as an “SBR,” an award can only be made to a registered SBR supplier. Registration is an online self-certification process through eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA). Suppliers attest to meeting the eligibility standards and must re-certify annually. There is no cost to participate in the SBR Program.

This is a race and gender-neutral program. Minority status is not a criterion for participation in the SBR Program.

For-profit businesses, other than a broker, must meet defined eligibility standards to participate in this program as a certified SBR supplier:

• The business is independently owned and operated.
• The business is not a subsidiary of another business.
• The business is not dominant in its field of operation.
• The wholesale operations of a business did not employ more than 50 persons, or the gross sales of the business do not exceed an average of $4,000,000 in its most recently completed three fiscal years.
• The retail operations of a business did not employ more than 25 persons, or the gross sales of the business do not exceed an average in $3,000,000 in its most recently completed three fiscal years.
• The manufacturing operations of the business did not employ more than 100 persons, or the gross sales of the business did not exceed an average of $2,000,000 in its most recently completed three fiscal years.
• The service operations of the business did not employ more than 100 persons, or the gross sales of the business did not exceed an average of $10,000,000 in its more recently completed three fiscal years.
• The construction operations of a business did not employ more than 50 persons, or the gross sales of the business did not exceed an average of $7,000,000 in its most recently completed three fiscal years.
• The architectural and engineering operations of the business did not employ more than 100 persons, or the gross sales of the business did not exceed an average of $4,500,000 in its most recently completed three fiscal years.

To register for the Small Business Reserve (SBR) Program:

1. 1. Register in eMaryland Marketplace Advantage eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) Maryland's Procurement Opportunities Portal for University System of Maryland, other State Education Institutions, and State and County agencies.
2. 2. Complete the optional Small Business Reserve (SBR) screens if eligible.
3. 3. For additional guidance on the SBR program with the State of Maryland, please visit the Governor's Office of Small, Minority and Women's Business Affairs (GOSBA).

The VSBE program is managed by the Governor's Office of Small, Minority and Women's Business Affairs (GOSBA).

VSBE firms must be registered as a vendor on the state's e-Procurement platform - eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA). Vendors registered in eMMA receive email notices of procurement opportunities from state agencies and departments valued over $15,000. County and local governments use the platform to advertise their procurements as well. There is no cost to register in eMMA.

When registering as a new vendor on eMMA, look for the section titled Procurement Programs, State Programs, and navigate to the Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) section. Select "No" to indicate you are not currently enrolled in the VSBE Program, then a new box will appear. Select "Yes" to indicate you would like to apply to the VSBE Program, then continue with the registration process. Once you have successfully registered as a vendor, log into your account. You will see a notice of "Missing Mandatory Credentials/Documents." Follow that link to the Credentials section. Navigate to the Certifications section and select Add Certifications. Under the Type category, choose Certification/VSBE Application, and answer the questions to verify you meet the program's eligibility standards and accept the terms and conditions. Save and Submit the application.

Businesses seeking to participate in the VSBE program must:

• Meet the size standards adopted by the United States Small Business Administration 13.C.F.R.121.201 an any subsequent revision of that regulation, and;
• Be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are veterans.

A veteran is defined as an individual who is verified as having served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than for training and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.