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Small Business Reserve (SBR) and Small Business Preference (SBP):
Maryland's Prime Contracting Programs
for
Certified Small Businesses (CSBs):
Check out the program details below and if eligible, get certified as a CSB TODAY!
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Small Business Reserve (SBR) Program Overview
The SBR Program provides Certified Small Businesses (CSBs) with the opportunity to participate as prime contractors by establishing a unique marketplace where small businesses only compete against other small businesses instead of larger, more established, companies. Once a solicitation has been Designated as “SBR," an award can only be made to a CSB.
An average of 20% of all open state-funded solicitations on eMMA are SBR Designated.
Small Business Preference (SBP) Program Overview
The SBP Program provides Certified Small Businesses (CSBs) with a designated price preference that may not exceed a base percentage preference of 5 percent of the total contract value. A 2 percent preference may be added to the base percentage preference for veteran-owned small businesses and a 3 percent preference may be added to the base percentage preference for disabled-veteran-owned small businesses.
The procurement agency will accept the most favorable responsive bid from a responsible certified small business if the bid of the small business does not exceed the most favorable responsive bid received from a responsible bidder who is not a small business by: (1) more than 5 percent; (2) more than 7% for a veteran-owned small business; (3) more than 8% for a disabled-veteran-owned small business; or (4) the percentage otherwise identified in the solicitation as the small business preference.
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CSB Certification Eligibility Standards:
The Business is:
(a) a for-profit enterprise;
(b) not a broker, as defined in COMAR 21.01.02.01B(13-1);
(c) independently owned and operated;
(d) not a subsidiary of another business;
(e) not dominant in its field of operation;
(f) With respect to employees, Either:
(i) The wholesale operations of the Business did not employ more than 50 persons in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years;
(ii) The retail operations of the Business did not employ more than 25 persons in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years;
(iii) The manufacturing operations of the Business did not employ more than 100 persons in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years;
(iv) The service operations of the Business did not employ more than 100 persons in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years;
(v) The construction operations of the Business did not employ more than 50 persons in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years; or
(vi) The architect and engineering services of the Business did not employ more than 100 persons in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years; and
(g) With respect to gross sales:
(i) The gross sales of its wholesale operations did not exceed an average of $4,000,000 in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years;
(ii) The gross sales of its retail operations did not exceed an average of $3,000,000 in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years;
(iii) The gross sales of its manufacturing operations did not exceed an average of $2,000,000 in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years;
(iv) The gross sales of its service operations did not exceed an average of $10,000,000 in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years;
(v) The gross sales of its construction operations did not exceed an average of $7,000,000 in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years; and
(vi) The gross sales of its architectural and engineering operations did not exceed an average of $4,500,000 in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years.
Note: If a business has not existed for 3 years, the employment and gross sales shall be the average(s) for each year or part of year during which the business has been in existence.
If you have questions about the SBR Program Eligibility Standards, please call 410-697-9600
and ask to speak with an SBR Program Compliance Manager.
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CSB Certification can only be completed online through the vendor registration process on the state's eProcurement platform - eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA). Vendors must first register for an eMMA account.
After registering in eMMA, vendors may access and complete a CSB application. Vendors attest to meeting the Eligibility Standards and must re-certify every three years. There is no cost to become a CSB.
Step 1 - Read the CSB Certification Eligibility Standards above.
Step 2 - If not already regsitered in eMMA, follow the link to the eMMA Login Page to register for a free eMMA account.
Step 3 - Utilize the CSB Certification and Recertification (Vendors) eMMA Quick Reference Guide (QRG) for step-by-step instructions on how to access, complete and submit the CSB application.
Step 4 - Complete the self-certification application and become a Certified Small Business (CSB)
If you are experience problems with CSB Certification or Recertification in eMMA, please call 410-697-9600
and ask to speak with an SBR Program Compliance Manager.
SBR Liaisons
Each participating unit/agency staffs an SBR Liaison whose role includes ensuring SBR participation is being maximized at the onset of the procurement process and acting as an advocate for CSB vendors actively working on contracts within that unit/agency.
SBR Program Disclaimer
Documentation may need to be submitted to verify CSB Eligibilty prior to an award being issued.
Anyone providing false information to the State of Maryland in connection with obtaining or attempting to obtain a contract designated to the SBR Program may be subject to the following:
1. A determination by a Procurement Officer that a bidder is not responsible;
2. A determination that a contract entered into is void or voidable under §11-204 of the State Finance and Procurement Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland;
3. Suspension and debarment under Title 16 of the State Finance and Procurement Article;
4. Criminal prosecution for procurement fraud ( §205.1 of the State Finance and Procurement Article), perjury, or other crimes; and
5. Other actions permitted by law.
Failure to Meet Minimum Qualifications
Any Bidder or potential bidder failing to meet the minimum qualifications of a
“small business” specified in § 14-501(c) of the State Finance and Procurement
Article will be ineligible to participate in a procurement designated for the Small Business Reserve (SBR) Program under § 14-504. Any person or company bidding on a Small
Business Reserve procurement and not qualifying as a small business under §
14-501(c) will have its bid rejected on the ground that the bidder is not
responsible.
