Maryland MBE Program

The program summary on this page was last updated on 06/01/2018. If any of the information or links are out-of-date, please contact us.

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) maintains the Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE), which provides certification for the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Program, and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program. Maryland’s MBE Program, established in 1978, is the oldest such program in the nation. The OMBE carefully reviews all applications for certification as an MBE. Contractors wishing to work with MDOT on certain projects must demonstrate that they have made a good faith effort to reach out to certified MBEs in order to meet any applicable participation goals.

Does this local/state program offer reciprocal certifications with other local/state programs? Firms from out of state must be certified within their state before seeking certification in the state of Maryland.

Does this certification expire? No-change affadavits and supporting documents must be provided to MDOT on an annual basis in order to retain certification. This provision takes place electronically.

Does this program require bidders attempt to make a good-faith effort to meet participation goals? Prime contractors must make a good-faith effort to meet the MBE participation goal on a particular project, if one has been established.