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Equal Business Opportunity Resources & Information

The following is a resource listing of local, state and federal organizations (including links) which have a variety of programs to assist minority, women-owned and disabled owned business enterprises with certification, procurement, training and business development assistance.

Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE)

Maryland is committed to assisting small, minority and women-owned firms in gaining greater access to government contracting opportunities. OMBE is the official certification agency for Maryland’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program and the federal U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.

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Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs (GOMA)

The mission of the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs (GOMA) is facilitating minority business enterprise activities through coordinating and promoting government programs aimed at strengthening and preserving the state’s 200,000 minority and women owned businesses.

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Maryland Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC)

The Maryland Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) Network provides sound advice, counseling and support to entrepreneurs and small to mid-size businesses across the state.

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Maryland Procurement Technical Assistance Program (MD PTAP)

PTAC's mission is to maximize the number of capable U.S. companies participating in the government marketplace by providing businesses with an understanding of the requirements of government contracting and the market know-how they need to obtain and successfully perform federal, state, and local government contracts, and supporting government agencies in reaching and working with the suppliers they need.

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eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA)

eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA), the State of Maryland’s internet-based procurement system, is a business tool that provides an efficient means to improve vendor’s access to State procurement information.

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Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA)

The Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) is a public-private partnership whose primary goal is to promote economic growth and stability by supporting existing businesses, targeting new businesses and attracting corporate and regional headquarters. Its role, central to its mission, is to be a catalyst for economic growth and sustainability in Howard County.

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U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent agency of the federal government that aides, counsels and protects the interests of small business. SBA offers a wide variety of programs and services and is the certification agency for the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program, HUBZone, Small Business and Women-Owned Small Business federal contract programs.

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SCORE

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.

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Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council (CRMSDC)

The Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council (CRMSDC) is one of 24 regional affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council. Their MISSION is to assist corporate members in improving the diversification and innovation of their supply chains by connecting them to well developed, certified minority business enterprises.

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Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

WBENC fosters diversity in the world of commerce in an effort to expand opportunities and eliminate barriers for women business owners by encouraging the utilization and expansion of supplier/vendor diversity programs in corporate America. Members are certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE).

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City of Baltimore Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office (MWBOO)

MWBOO is the certification agency for the City’s Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Program and its Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program.

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Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association, Inc. (MWMCA)

MWMCA is a member organization that advocates for minority business inclusion in all public and private procurement and aligns itself with strategic corporate partners that add value to its organization. For its small business members MWMCA provides support, education, capacity building, and technical assistance to new and existing businesses. MWMCA monitors and facilitates inclusiveness, empowerment and opportunities for its members. MWMCA also provides certification assistance for Maryland Department of Transportation and Baltimore City’s minority business enterprise certification.

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Maryland Minority Contractors Association, Inc. (MMCA)

The Maryland Minority Contractors Association, Inc. is a non-profit Maryland corporation, composed of minority and women business groups and individuals within the State of Maryland. Their mission is to provide assistance to minority and women owned businesses with respect to the development of their businesses, including, but not limited to, taking an active role in the review of legislation and programs that effect their well being.

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Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation (SDAT)

Taxpayer Services Division:The Taxpayer Services' Corporate Charter/Charter Legal Review unit is custodian of documents relating to the organization and ownership of many types of business entities that are required to file documents with the State. These documents include charters for Maryland corporations and qualifications and registrations for foreign corporations.

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Maryland Small Business Reserve Program

The State of Maryland Small Business Reserve Program is committed to the growth and success of small businesses. The Small Business Reserve Program specifically targets small businesses registered with the Department of General Services where certain procurements may be designated as small business reserve only. For procurements designated as such, only certified small businesses will be awarded such procurements.

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Maryland Linked Deposit Program

The Maryland Linked Deposit Program is a new, statewide initiative designed to stimulate opportunities for certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) by reducing the interest rate on loans they obtain from participating banks.

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Maryland Department of Commerce

Maryland's one-stop economic development shop strives to attract new businesses, stimulate private investment, encourage the expansion and retention of existing companies and provide Maryland business with workforce training and financial assistance. The Department markets local products and services at home and abroad.

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US Department of Transportation's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (DOT/OSDBU)

The US Department of Transportation's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (DOT/OSDBU) provide opportunities, technical assistance, and financial services to the small business community.

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National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide by strengthening the wealth creating capacity of our members and promoting economic development within the entrepreneurial community, creating innovative and effective change in the business culture, building strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations and transforming public policy and influencing opinion makers.

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Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)

WMATA, Office of Community Relations is the certification agency for the Small Local Business Program (SLBP) and the federal U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.

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Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA)

MWAA’s equal opportunity programs help to maximize opportunities for small, disadvantaged, minority and women-owned businesses interested in competing for Authority-sponsored contracts. The Equal Opportunity Department is the certification agency for MWAA’s Local Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (LDBE) Program and the federal U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.

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Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC)

The Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission is dedicated to creating an inclusive purchasing environment and expanding opportunities for small and local businesses. The Small, Local Minority Business Enterprise Office (SLMBE) is the certification agency for the Small, Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) Program.

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Howard County Public School System Procurement Department

The Howard County Public School System’s Procurement Department serves and supports the educational mission of the school system by promoting integrity, collaboration and transparency through exceptional customer service. The Procurement Department supports an open, competitive process by fostering integrity and equity while seeking diversity to procure goods and services with efficiency and effectiveness at the best value. 

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Howard Community College Office of Procurement

The Procurement Office is responsible for overseeing the acquisition of all goods, services, equipment and construction by the College. Howard Community College will procure only those goods and services that are required to further the mission, vision, values, and strategic goals of the institution. 

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Howard County Library System Procurement 

Howard County Library System (HCLS) is an award-winning and highly regarded educational institution that serves residents of and visitors to Howard County.

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Columbia Association Procurement 

Columbia Association encourages Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Owned Business Enterprises (WBEs) and Disabled Owned Business Enterprises (DBEs) to participate in all procurement activities. Columbia Association is committed to the procurement of goods and services that have less detrimental environmental and social impacts than competing goods and services. 

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