The Maryland Department of Transportation, Office of Minority Business Enterprise has two primary functions: Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification for the State of Maryland and the administration and coordination of the MBE and DBE Programs within the MDOT administrations. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) administers both the State of Maryland MBE participation goal, as well as the DBE participation goal for contracts that receive assistance from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). Effective July 1, 2001, Maryland's MBE Participation goal is 25%, with sub-goals of 10% for Women owned firms and 7% for African American owned firms. The DBE goal for USDOT assisted contracts is established on an annual basis. Goals for USDOT assisted contracts are implemented at the Maryland Transit Administration, the State Highway Administration and the Maryland Aviation Administration. For federal fiscal year 2008, the DBE goals are as follows: Maryland Transit Administration - 27.1%; State Highway Administration - 25.3%; and Maryland Aviation Administration - 26.1%. To ensure that only bona fide MBEs/DBEs participate in the Programs, Maryland has a comprehensive certification program. Only those businesses determined to be owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals are certified. A firm designated as an MBE and/or DBE will have its name appear in the MBE Internet Directory, a reference document made available to all State departments/agencies, the contracting community and the general public. Recognizing that the potential for MBE/DBE participation is dependent upon several variables, each MDOT administration examines its respective contracts/purchase orders and establishes specific goals on a contract-by-contract basis. Procedures are followed to assure that an award of a contract is not made until a prime contractor has met the MBE/DBE goal(s) or has demonstrated a good faith effort to meet the MBE/DBE goal(s). After a contract has been awarded, MBE/DBE participation is closely monitored by key personnel within each administration. Monitoring includes a review of the subcontract financial transactions, and visits to the job site to verify actual work being performed by the MBE/DBE. The standards for MBE/DBE compliance are spelled out in the MBE Program Manual. Any deviation from compliance standards is documented; and if it is not corrected, sanctions may be applied against the contractor and subcontractor(s). The MBE Program Manual identifies the sanctions which may be instituted. Periodically, MDOT revises the MBE Program Manual for improvements and to include any applicable changes in federal and/or State regulations or laws. Persons having an interest in the program may find this guide helpful in understanding MDOT's MBE/DBE Program. Copies of the complete Program Manual are available online in Adobe PDF format or at the following address for a nominal fee: Maryland Department of Transportation
Office of Minority Business Enterprise
7201 Corporate Center Drive, P.O. Box 548
Hanover, MD 21076
410 865-1269 or 1-800-544-6056
TTY 410 865-1342
http://www.marylandtransportation.com/ | 
