Equal Business Opportunity Program
Recognizing an active program of research, technical assistance, and procurement from Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) and Disabled Business Enterprises (DBEs) is essential to the realization of progressive social and economic development goals, the following is designed to express the County's intent to foster participation by MBEs, WBEs and DBEs in its procurement process through the Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Program.
Requests for assistance with this program should be directed to Mahesh Sabnani, EBO Coordinator, by phone at (410) 313-3694, or email, msabnani@howardcountymd.gov. We strongly encourage minority-, disabled- and women-owned businesses to complete parts one and two of the Bidder Application and Equal Business Opportunity Self-Certification Application.
The Office of Purchasing in conjunction with the Committee for Business and Economic Diversity (CBED), through The Center for Business and Technology Development, encourages and promotes the development of businesses owned by minorities, women and individuals with disabilities. CBED implements programs, develops partnerships and removes barriers to business success. This link will connect you to The Center for Business and Technology Development where you can obtain information about programs for entrepreneurs.
For convenience, we have provided three options related to equal business opportunity:
1. Access to the County's combined Bidder and EBO Certification Application.
Bidders / EBO Application Word
Bidders / EBO Application PDF
*See the instructions for downloading Adobe Acrobat at the bottom of this page*
2. The County Directory of firms certified by the EBO Commission can be accessed using the following link: Firms A - Z .
3. A link to the listing of Howard County's Current Solicitations as well as a list of Links to Other Jurisdictions with such websites.
If you have questions about completing the application or need further assistance, please contact Mahesh Sabnani, EBO Coordinator, by phone at (410) 313-3694, or email msabnani@howardcountymd.gov .
NOTICE TO PRIME CONTRACTORS
10% Subcontracting Goal on Contracts Valued at $50,000 or More
Howard County Code Section 4.122 established an Equal Business Opportunity program to foster overall equity and fairness to all citizens in relation to business enterprises conducting business with the County.
If a total contract award is $50,000 or more annually, the Prime Contractor shall make a genuine good faith effort to comply with the Howard County Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) program’s 10% subcontracting goal. The Prime Contractor shall make a good faith effort to obtain minority subcontractor participation even if the Prime Contractor has the capability to complete the work with its own workforce. This good faith effort is also applicable to Prime Contractors who are themselves minority-owned firms. The percentage requirement may vary if the contract is funded by a federal or state agency.
Possible areas of obtaining subcontracting participation include, but are not limited to, flagging services, hauling, copying and printing, and the purchase of materials used in performing the contract. Contractors may use minority, women or disabled business enterprises certified by Howard County, Maryland; Maryland Department of Transportation; City of Baltimore, Maryland; or another certifying entity in order to satisfy the 10% subcontracting goal. Directories of certified minority, women or disabled business enterprises can be accessed using the following links:
Howard County Equal Business Opportunity Program, Directory of Firms Certified by the EBOC, List of Firms A-Z
State of Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Minority Business Enterprise/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MBE/DBE) Directory
City of Baltimore, Certified Minority Business Enterprise and Women's Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) Directory
PRIME CONTRACTOR INVOICING REQUIREMENTS
Prime Contractors must use the County’s standard invoice that will record EBO participation. If there is no EBO participation in a particular billing cycle due to the nature of the goods or services provided, that must be noted on the invoice as well. Even though Prime Contractors may have their own invoice forms, the County’s form must be used, either in place of or in addition to the Contractor’s invoice form, so that County can track compliance of EBO participation in a standard and consistent manner.
Prime Contractor Invoicing Requirements PDF
Prime Contractor Invoicing Requirements XLS
SUBCONTRACTOR REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the County’s standard invoice form, the successful Prime Contractors must provide their EBO subcontractors with the following Subcontractor Monthly Payment Report for completion.Subcontractors that receive this report from the successful Prime Contractor are required to complete this report. The report is to be completed by the 10th of each month by the subcontractor for the preceding month to the Office of Purchasing unless otherwise specified by the Office of Purchasing.
Subcontractor EBO Payment Tracking (PDF)
Subcontractor EBO Payment Tracking (XLS)
Instructions for Downloading Adobe Acrobat
You may find it helpful to print these instructions before you start.
1. Click on the image above to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader
2. Follow the instructions on the Adobe Acrobat Reader file to install it on your PC.
3. Activate the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open and read the application form.