MBDD Overview
     
Mission Statement
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Definitions
The Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program
MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MBE) PROGRAM (PDF)
Mission Statement
Our mission is to maximize procurement opportunities with Prince George’s County registered certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) as suppliers, prime contractors, and subcontractors of superior products and services to the citizenry of Prince George’s County. We encourage the private sector and local government to aggressively engage with MBEs to develop productive business relationships leading to economic growth for the County.
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Definitions:
The County defines a County registered Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) as any business enterprise:
- Which is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned, operated, and controlled on a daily basis by one or more minority individuals; or in the case of any publicly-owned corporation, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the stock of which is owned by one or more minority individuals.
- The MBE must be certified by one of the following authorized third party organizations:
- The MBE must be registered as a certified MBE with the County.
Minority Individuals are defined as individuals who have been subjected to prejudice or cultural bias because of their identity as a member of a group in terms of race, color, ethnic origin, or gender, without regard to their individual capabilities. Minority individuals are limited to members of the following groups:
- African Americans
- Asian Americans
- Females
- Hispanic Americans
The Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program
The MBE Program is comprised of five major components:
- Procurement Assistance
- Business Development
- Certification
- Education
- Training
Procurement Assistance
To enhance the opportunities for MBEs to participate in the County’s procurements, the following instruments are used:
- Bonus Points System*
Contracts valued up to $1.0 million, Prince George's County will apply "bonus points" to any bid offered by certified MBEs. County registered certified MBEs will receive "bonus points" equaling 10% of the apparent responsible and responsive bid price offered, and non-County registered certified MBEs will receive a discount bonus equaling 5%. Contracts of $1.0 million or more, the bonus is $100,000 for County registered certified MBEs and $50,000 for non-County registered certified MBEs. These "bonus points" are applied to evaluate both County registered certified MBEs and non-County registered certified MBEs bid price only, and are not applied to ultimate payments under the contract awarded.
- RFPs and Multi-Step Bids*
Request for Proposals and Multi-Step Bids are utilized when factors other than price must be considered in making a contract award. The "Bonus Points System" applies to registered certified MBE prime contractors once they meet the technical criteria in the Multi-Steps Bids
- Mandatory Subcontracting*
In construction and other public work projects, Prince George's County requires non-MBE firms to utilize certified MBE sub-contractors to complete no less than 20% of the required work. With oversight by Minority Business Development Division (MBDD), this subcontracting requirement may be waived only if certified MBEs are not available to perform unique and extraordinary contract requirements.
- Restricted Bids*
The Director of the Office Central Services can authorize MBDD to restrict competitive bids to MBEs when an adequate pool of certified registered MBEs is qualified and available to satisfy contract requirements. MBDD will advocate, "restricting" the bid(s) if the procedure is likely to further the County's Minority Business goals without unnecessarily interfering with the efficient operation of the County government. Contract designated in the "Restricted Bid" category will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive certified registered MBE bidder once the "bonus points" have been applied.
Business Development
The MBDD is fully committed to the development of the minority business community. We provide the following services:
- Advocacy
- Procurement Opportunity Guidance
- Seminars/Workshops
MBE Certification
MBDD accepts the MBE certification from the MDOT, WMATA and MD-DC/MSDC providing the minority business enterprise meets the established requirements and criteria as defined.
*Note: There are various procurement regulations that are utilized in facilitating the awarding of contracts to the minority and women-owned businesses. The information provided is an overview.
Disadvantage Business Enterprises (DBE) Certification
Prince George's County has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26.
It is the policy of Prince George's County to ensure that DBEs, as defined in Part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT assisted contracts. It is also the County's policy:
- To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT assisted contracts;
- To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT assisted contracts;
- To ensure that the DBE program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
- To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;
- To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT assisted contracts; and
- To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the DBE program.
Interim Certification
As part of our ongoing effort to increase efficiency and streamline the procurement process, the Office of Central Services is discontinuing the issuance of interim certifications for the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program. The Office will be honoring all interim certifications that were issued on or before July 27, 2011. No interim certifications will be issued after July 27, 2011.
Directory
MBDD compiles on a monthly basis a Directory of certified MBEs in Prince George's County. The on-line Directory is classified by type of company activities and can be utilized by Prime contractors to obtain minority owned companies as needed to comply with County contract requirements. Click here to download the current directory.
Referral Assistance
MBDD provides referral assistance matching MBE firms with non-minority contractors looking for MBE participation in the County Procurement process.
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