OMBE Overview

The Maryland Department of Transportation's (MDOT) Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE) 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 MBEs/DBEs/ACDBEs and SBEs participate in our program through our comprehensive certification program. Additionally, certified firms appear in MDOT's Online Directory of Certified Firms.

OMBE History

Established in 1978, Maryland's Minority Business Enterprise Program is believed to be the oldest in the country. The MBE/DBE program was established to ensure that small, minority- and women-owned firms had the opportunity to participate fully and fairly in both state and U.S. DOT federally funded projects.

In 2014, the SBE program was introduced as a race-and-gender neutral program designed to provide contracting opportunities to small businesses on U.S. DOT federally-aided projects with the State Highway Administration (SHA), Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), and Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA).

MDOT administers both the State of Maryland MBE participation goal, as well as the DBE participation goal for contracts that receive assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). Effective August 13, 2013, Maryland's MBE participation goal for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 is 29%. DBE goals are individually set by each state agency.

For additional information on the different certifications and required documentation please visit our Certifications and Forms page.

Maryland MBE Legislative History 1978-Present

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.