Minority Business Enterprise Program

  • In 1978, Maryland’s General Assembly enacted legislation creating the Minority Business Enterprise Program to ensure that socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners are included in the state’s procurement and contracting opportunities. Current regulations set the MBE Program's statewide aspirational goal at 29% across 70 participating agencies and departments. 
  • The State of Maryland MBE Program is governed by the Governor's Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs. GOSBA provides a variety of services, webinars, videos, guidance, events and support to MBE firms. 
  • Each state agency reviews and assesses its procurement for supplies, equipment, services, maintenance, construction and architectural/engineering contracts to determine an MBE participation goal appropriate for each contract.
  • Bowie State University reports contract awards and payments made to MBE firms to the State on a quarterly and annual basis and tracks our progress toward the 29 percent goal (including subcontractor awards and payments). BSU can only report data for MBE firms that are certified by the Maryland Department of Transportation.
  • Other certifying entities are not considered for reporting MBE awards and payment activity. 
    • The Maryland MBE Certification Program is managed by the Maryland Department of Transportation. Bowie State University and all state agencies require minority businesses to be Maryland Department of Transportation Certified.
    • Visit the Maryland Department of Transportation’s MBE directory to identify a certified minority business.

      THERE IS NO COST TO APPLY FOR OR MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION WITH MDOT’S OFFICE OF MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
    • 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 American
      • Asian Pacific Americans
      • Subcontinent Asian Americans
      • Native Americans
      • Women
      • Disabled Persons (MBE Program Only)
    • A person who owns and controls 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 (SED).