Section 20-205 - Requirements for participation in contract-specific goals and preferences(a) To participate in the contract-specific goals and preferences authorized under this subtitle, a business must: (1) be certified by a certification agency in accordance with Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle;(2)(i) be certified by any certification agency; and(ii) submit all additional documentation necessary for the Office to determine that the business meets the requirements of Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle; or(3) be certified under a certification program that the Commission determines substantially duplicates the requirements for a State certification agency under Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle.(b) To substantially duplicate the requirements for a State certification agency under Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle, a certification program shall, at a minimum, have certification requirements that are at least as narrowly tailored as the State's requirements in Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle with respect to:(1) business ownership and control;(2) business size standards;(3) business owner personal net worth; and(4) business owner social and economic disadvantage.(c) If the Office determines that a business seeking to participate in the minority business enterprise utilization program established under § 20-204 of this subtitle has a certification that does not substantially duplicate the requirements in Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle, the Office may: (1) request and evaluate documentation and evidence necessary to determine whether the business may be authorized to participate in programs under this subtitle; and(2) following the evaluation under item (1) of this subsection, authorize a business to participate in programs under this subtitle.Md. Code art. Public Utilities, § 20-205Md. Code, Public Utilities § 20-205
Added by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 240, Sec. 1, eff. 6/1/2023.