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Resources for Small, Minority, Women, and Veteran-owned Businesses

There are a variety of programs and certifications available that provide support to small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses. In addition, you will find helpful information on Business Funding & Incentives and Government Contracting / Procurement.

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Government Resources for Small, Minority, Women, and Veteran-owned Businesses

Montgomery County
Resource Description
Montgomery County Vendor Registration System Provides one-stop registration for companies (and individuals) who are interested in contracting with Montgomery County government, Montgomery College, Montgomery County Public Schools, or the Housing Opportunities Commission. Other Montgomery County agencies require you to register with them directly.
Montgomery County – Local Small Business Reserve Program (LSBRP) Ensures that county departments award 25% of their procurement for goods, services and construction to registered and certified local, small businesses.

You can apply for this program in the Montgomery County Vendor Registration System.
Montgomery County – Local Business Preference Program (LBPP) Ensures that Montgomery County based businesses receive an extra 10% preference points on proposals.

You can apply for this program in the Montgomery County Central Vendor Registration System.
Montgomery County – Local Business Subcontracting Program (LBSP) Provides at least 10% of the contracting dollars awarded should be awarded to a local business and 10% of the total dollar value in aggregate should be awarded to local businesses.

You can apply for this program in the Montgomery County Vendor Registration System.
Minority, Female and Disabled-Owned Businesses Program (MFD) Assists State and agency-certified minority, female, and service-disabled veteran owned firms in gaining access to prime contractor and subcontractor opportunities. Business owners need to provide proof of certification to obtain this classification in the Central Vendor Registration System.

Maryland
Resource Description
Maryland Department of Transportation MD DOT is the State’s official certification for business owners who are seeking the following minority certification status: Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE), Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE), and Small Business Enterprise (SBE).
eMaryland Marketplace Advantage eMMA is Maryland’s new online procurement platform used by business owners who are looking for contracting opportunities from state, county, and local government entities.

Federal
Resource Description
Small Business Administration SBA provides several programs to help small businesses with federal contracts. The organization provides certifications in the following categories: Women-owned small business, Small Disadvantage Business, Service-disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, and Small Business in a HUBZone.

Other Women or Minority-owned Small Business Programs and Certifications

There are a variety of agencies and organizations that provide minority certifications for small businesses. Review the resources below and, if your business qualifies, take advantage of the opportunity to be certified:

Agency Description of certifications
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council This program is a widely recognized national certification for women-owned businesses in the U.S.
Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council The program certifies minority-owned businesses and promotes the value of certification.

Technical Assistance for Government Contracting

A number of state and local chambers and economic development organizations periodically offer training and information workshops with government agencies about opportunities to sell to these agencies. Monitor the Business Center calendar for upcoming sessions. In addition, check out the MD PTAC resource listed below:

Resource Description
Maryland Procurement Technical Assistance Center (MD PTAC) Maryland PTAC provides small business counseling about government contracting Maryland-based small businesses at NO cost.

Resources for Veteran-owned Business Programs

There are a variety of agencies and organizations that provide training, funding, and other assistance to veteran-owned businesses. For detailed descriptions regarding these programs, check the individual links below or this document (PDF) which lists all of them in one place.