The Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office (MWBOO) is responsible for the Certification of Minority Business Enterprises and Women’s Business Enterprises, maintaining a directory of certified business enterprises, investigating alleged violations of Article 5, Subtitle 28, certifying compliance with Article 5, Subtitle 28 of the City code before contracts are submitted to the Board of Estimates for award, setting MBE and WBE participation goals on contracts, and establishing certain annual goals for MBE and WBE participation.

Certification Process

Certification is the process by which a business is determined to be a bona fide Minority Business Enterprise or Women’s Business Enterprise by the Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office. There is no application fee.

Criteria

Baltimore City Market Area means the following geographic regions of Maryland:

Pre-qualification and certification are different processes. Pre-qualification is the process by which the City’s Office of Boards and Commissions (the “Office”) determines the work capacity of a contractor. Through an analysis of a contractor’s basic financial information, the Office assigns a base capacity rating. The pre-qualification and work capacity rating provide the City some assurances that the contractor has the experience and resources to perform the requirements of a contract. To obtain a pre-qualification application, call the Office of Board’s and Commissions at (410) 396-6883. Certification, as noted above, is the process by which a business is determined to be a minority-owned or woman-owned business. The Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office certify firms as an MBE or WBE.

To download an application click here. Return the application with the applicable documents to the address below.

Contacting the Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office:

City Hall, Room 101
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
(410) 396-4355

The MBE/WBE Directory lists certified businesses in alphabetical order and by services. The MWBOO expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this directory. Information in this directory should be verified with the MWBOO at (410) 396-4355.