Maryland Certifications
Obtaining the right business certifications for your enterprise is crucial to gaining access to both government and corporate contracts. Certifications provide your business with a nationally recognized and highly respected status that makes your company stand out against marketplace competition for lucrative contracts. This allows you to compete more successfully for federal, state, local government and commercial contracts.
Maryland accepts/recognizes the following certifications:
- Women-Owned Business (WBE);
- Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB);
- Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB);
- Minority-Owned Business (MBE);
- Small Business Administration 8(a) Development Program;
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE);
- Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE);
- Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB);
- Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB);
- HUBZone Business;
- Small Disadvantaged Business (SBE)
Maryland is committed to the growth and success of small businesses and in 2004, the state created the Maryland Small Business Reserve (SBR) Program to provide small businesses with the opportunity to participate as prime contractors on Maryland contracts. This program is in lieu of the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program. The SBR program directs 66 participating Maryland agencies to spend at least 15% of its fiscal year procurement expenditures with qualified small businesses. This is a race and gender-neutral program.
The Office of Small, Minority & Disadvantaged Business (OMBE), a division of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is Maryland’s official certification agency for the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE Program). Getting a certification in the State of Maryland opens the door to targeted government and private contracting opportunities. This will allow your business to have more visibility to Maryland companies and opportunities with the State of Maryland.
Here are the basic qualifications for most of the certifications:
- The business must be at least 51% managed and controlled by either a women, minority, or disadvantaged owner who:
- Works exclusively for the firm seeking certification
- Has superior level of experience in the industry
- Holds the highest title as specified in the operating agreement/bylaws
- US Citizen (or for some certifications – a Green Card holder (legal permanent resident)
- Must be a for-profit business
If you are an established business ready to take your business to the next level, BizCentral USA can help you get certified. Since 2004, BizCentral USA has helped thousands of businesses get certified and gain more connections. Working with an experienced expert means doing it right the first time, which means FASTER approval so you can start applying for contracts sooner.
Not an established business? No problem. We have a Pre-Certification Program that can help prepare you to become certified.