Small, Minority & Disadvantaged Business 

Maryland's Official Certification Agency

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is Maryland's official certification agency for the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Program, and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program. We ensure only bona fide MBE/DBE/ACDBE/SBE firms participate in our program through our comprehensive certification program. Certified firms appear in MDOT's Online Directory of Certified Firms.

Please visit the "Certifications and Forms" page for information on the certification programs and required documentation. Please contact the OMBE office for assistance regarding the certification programs.

Our Mission

The Maryland Department of Transportation is a customer-driven leader that delivers safe, sustainable, intelligent, exceptional, and inclusive transportation solutions in order to connect our customers to life’s opportunities.

Important Messages

It has come to our attention that a phishing email has been directed to firms in the active Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Directory of Certified Firms. The email was not generated by MDOT. Any emails being sent by the software system MDOT utilizes for certification applications and annual review monitoring will always com from MarylandMDBE@mdbecert.com.

Please do not click on any links or open email attachments from suspicious sites. A copy of the contents of the phishing email is shown below for your information:

Maryland small business owners can now offer their employees access to a savings plan for emergencies and retirement that is safe and trustworthy. MARYLAND$AVES was created by the State of Maryland and launched in the fall of 2022. Employers register for free and pay no ongoing fees for offering the WorkLife Savings account to their employees. In fact, the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation will waive the $300 annual report filing fee for every qualified employers that enrolls in the program. Employees control the WorkLife Savings account themselves. They contribute through payroll deductions and decide how much to save and when to withdraw from their savings. Learn more about this flexible and secure employee savings program.

Maryland$aves

As of January 1, 2023 the Personal Net Worth cap applied to the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program increased from $1,847,024 to $1,995,008. For more information, please click the link. here.

** ATTENTION** If you receive an email with the subject line “Maryland DOT MBE/DBE/ACDBE/SBE Certified & Approved Firms {SECURED} Notice” with a link please ignore. This is SPAM and has been reported to MDOT’s IT Department. Do Not Click on any links or send any information to a dropbox and delete the message. If you ever question the validity of any email do not hesitate to contact the Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE).

Email: mbe@mdot.maryland.gov
Phone: 410-865-1269

The MBE/DBE/ACDBE/SBE Certification Application Assistance Webinar dates for 2023 have been posted. Registration is now open! 2023 MBE/DBE/ACDBE AAW Schedule

The Maryland Department of Transportation, Office of Minority Business Enterprise is pleased to announce the implementation of a new Certification Management System (CMS), accessed through a cloud-based web portal. On-line Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE), Airport Concession Disadvantage Business Enterprise (ACDBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) applications for new certifications and Annual Reviews will be processed through this new system. Key features include the following:

• Online applications for new certifications and annual reviews
• Enhanced Online Directory with key-word search capabilities
• Electronic submission of changes to the business firm profile
• Online training on how to use the system for certification and annual review
• Ability to submit online technical support ticket 24/7 Click Here - Online Support

The Small Business Administration (SBA) amended the regulation by which SBA establishes how a business meets size standards for a particular NAICS code. Effective January 6, 2022, the period has been changed from 3 years to 5 years.

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) DBE size cap found at 49 C.F.R. 26.65(b) is still subject to the 3-year gross receipts average.

For more information including application instructions visit the SBA's Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resource Webpage

MDOT-Planning has proposed the following DBE Goal for FFYs 2022-2024 for the Unified Planning Work Programs (UPWPs) of each Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), USDOT funded projects.

MDOT-SHA is proposing the following DBE Goal for FFYs 2022-2024. If there are any questions, please contact the MBE Office at mdotmbeoutreach@mdot.maryland.gov and/or call 410-865-1298.

More Information

Welcome to MDOT Office of Minority Business Enterprise

• MBE Overview & History
• MDOT's Role
• OMBE
• OSMBP

News & Upcoming Events

• MBE News
• MBE Events Calendar

Certification Information

• Certification Application Assistance Workshop
• Certification and Forms
• Online Application
• Track My Application
• Directory of Certified Firms
• How to Use Directory of Certified Firms
• MBEAC
• Meeting Agendas, Schedule, Minutes

Online Annual Review

• Steps to Annual Review
• Download Checklist for Annual Review
• No Change Affidavit

Doing Business with MDOT

• MDOT Business Unit Contacts
• Program Goals and Reports: MBE, DBE, SBE and SBR
• MDOT Procurement and Contracts
• Motor Carrier Program
• MDOT Real Estate
• eMaryland Marketplace Advantage
• Business Licensing

Resources

• Calendar of Events
• Directory of Certified Firms
• State Procurement Forecasting (GOSBA)
• Maryland Business Express
• Maryland Workforce Expressway
• Maryland MBE Program Manual
• Maryland DBE Program Manual
• Resources and Information