It is the policy of the Board to increase the use of minority and women’s business enterprises to provide goods and services to the Board on a contractual basis. For contracts valued at more than $50,000, the awarded bidder or offeror subcontract a given percentage to certified Minority Business Enterprises (“MBE”) and a given percentage of the total contract price to Women Business Enterprises (“WBE”).
The MWBE Department manages two distinct goal-oriented procurement programs that provide goods and services to Baltimore City Public Schools: Projects funded by City Schools and specified projects funded by the State of Maryland.
City Schools Funded Projects:
Projects consist of both professional services contracts and construction rehabilitation projects.
Goals are generally set on procurement projects of $50,000 or more.
MWBE firms participating as a prime and subcontractors must be certified by Baltimore City’s Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office.
For City Schools funded contracts, the Board of School Commissioners has set an aspirational goal of achieving at least 27% and 10% of the total dollar value of all contracts through direct or indirect procurement contracts with Baltimore City–certified MBEs and WBEs, respectively.
State Funded Projects:
Projects are typically construction-based rehabilitation within existing structures and new construction under the State’s 21st Century Building Plan.
Goals are generally set on procurement projects in excess of $50,000.
MBE/WBE firms participating as prime and subcontractors must be certified by the Maryland Department of Transportation Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE).
Current regulations require agencies to make every effort to achieve an overall minimum goal of 29% of the total dollar value of their procurement contracts directly or indirectly from certified MBE firms. Find out more from the Governor's Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs.
All City School solicitations will be advertised on this website and the State of Maryland’s eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) website [Link to: emma.maryland.gov]
How does City Schools set MBE and WBE goals for each project?
The overall MBE/WBE goal and subgoals (if applicable) are set by considering factors including:
The extent to which the work to be performed can reasonably be segmented to allow for MBEs/WBEs to participate
Determination of the number of certified MBEs/WBEs that potentially could perform the work
Geographic location of the identified certified MBEs/WBEs
Information obtained from other school systems or city agencies related to establishing a MBE/WBE goal or subgoals for similar projectsAny other activities or information that may be identified as useful and productive
City of Baltimore Certification
Baltimore City Office of Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office
Steps to Certification
Applicant submits an application and supporting documents.
Submitted materials are evaluated and a determination is made.
Eligibility Standards:
51% owned by one or more minority group members or women.
Minority Business Enterprise include members of the following groups: African American, Hispanic American, Asian American and Native American
Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
Independently owned and operated and controlled by one or more minority group members or women.
In operation 12 months before applying for certification.
Minority- or women-owned for at least 12 months before applying.
Have an operating office in the Baltimore City Market Area, which includes:
Baltimore City
Baltimore County
Anne Arundel County
Howard County
Carroll County
Queen Anne’s County
Harford County
State of Maryland Certification
Maryland Department Transportation Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE)
Steps to Certification:
Application – Applicant submits a completed application and all required supporting documentation. All applications can be submitted online.
Investigation – An investigator reviews documentation submitted by applicant, conducts an on-site/job-site visit and prepares an investigative report.
Evaluation – MBE Advisory Committee (MBEAC) reviews the investigative report to evaluate whether the applicant firm meets the MBE/DBE/ACDBE/SBE program requirement.
Determination – MBEAC Chair issues a written determination.
Eligibility Standards:
Ownership – To be eligible for certification as an MBE firm, a business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially-and economically-disadvantaged individuals. Under current State law, an individual is presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged if that individual belongs to one of the following groups: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Women.
Control – The minority applicant(s) must have an overall understanding of, and managerial and technical competence and experience directly related to, the type of business in which the firm is seeking certification.
Personal Net Worth (PNW) – Each minority owner must fall below the PNW cap established by the program.
Size – Applicant firms must meet the small business size standards established by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
For MWBE opportunities with 21st Century Schools
How does City Schools set MBE and WBE goals for each project?
The overall MBE/WBE goal and subgoals (if applicable) are set by considering factors including
The extent to which the work to be performed can reasonably be segmented to allow for MBEs/WBEs to participate
Determination of the number of certified MBEs/WBEs that potentially could perform the work
Geographic location of the identified certified MBEs/WBEs
Information obtained from other school systems or city agencies related to establishing a MBE/WBE goal or subgoals for similar projects
Any other activities or information that may be identified as useful and productive
Relevant Board Policy and administrative regulation:
DJA, DJA-RA