Minority Certification is important if you want to compete for lucrative Baltimore City contracts.
There is a difference between Pre-qualification and Certification. According to the City’s own web site
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.
The Baltimore City Minority Certification Process
Criteria
- Independently owned and operated business
- In operation 12 months before applying for certification
- Minority or women-owned for at least 12 months before applying for certification
- Have an operating office in the Baltimore City Market Area
Download, complete, and return the application (Baltimore City Certification Application) to:
City Hall, Room 101
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
For more information about Baltimore City Minority Certification click here.
Once certified you can be a part of the City’s Online Minority Business Directory – to view – click here.
Here’s some additional resources:
Article by Gloria Larkin – Is Government Contracting Right for you?