The Montgomery County Office of Procurement has announced that, begining July 1, 2026, it will begin accepting the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) certifications for purposes of the County's Minority, Female and Disabled-Owned Business (MFD) Program. On the same date, it will also begin accepting the State of Maryland's Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) certification for purposes of its Veteran Business Preference Program.
This raises the total number of sources from which Montgomery County accepts certifications (the County also accepts certifications from several other sources, such as governmental agencies like the City of Baltimore, and private organizations like the Women's Business Enterprise National Council). The County's MFD program does not certify businesses directly.
The Montgomery County MFD program currently recognizes the certifications of approximately 800 businesses, and awarded roughly $274 million in contract dollars to MFD businesses in the 2025 fiscal year. The County has a standing goal of reaching 22 percent of contract dollars to be awarded to MFD firms in the construction field (as well as 25 percent for professional services, 22 percent for non-professional services, and 10 percent for goods).
"Recognizing these certifications removes barriers, streamlines the process and helps more businesses participate in Montgomery County's procurement programs," said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich in a statement.
Read the press release from the County at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/news/montgomery-county-expands-contracting-opportunities-women-owned-veteran-owned-businesses.
Find more info on the County's MFD program at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/office-procurement/division-business-relations-compliance-dbrc/minority-female-disabled-owned-business-program.
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