What is the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program?
The MBE Program is goal-based to achieve a percentage of MBE participation on Maryland Judiciary issued contracts. An MBE is a business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more minority persons. A minority is generally defined as an individual who is African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American, a woman or a disabled person. Additionally, the Judiciary recognizes non-profit firms that are organized to promote the interests of the physically or mentally disabled.
A. Maryland enacted the State MBE Program in 1978, which was the same year the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program was enacted. Federal and State regulations were developed to provide additional detail. Businesses must apply for certification and provide evidence of ownership and control by the minority person(s) as part of the D/MBE certification process.
DHMH developed the MBE Program in 1985 to implement state regulations, which mandated MBE participation on all state contracts. The program seeks to ensure that only certified minority businesses participate in the MBE Program at a minimum level of 25% of all procurement dollars spent each fiscal year.
