Equal Business Opportunity

About

Howard County is committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive business environment. 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, Howard County encourages and promotes participation by MBEs, WBEs and DBEs in its procurement process through the Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Program.

The EBO program regulates that 20% of the County's total dollar amount of all contracts be awarded directly to Minority, Woman-owned and Disabled-owned Business Enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE) firms during each fiscal year. This includes consulting services, construction, professional services, and other procurements for goods and services. The Program also sets a subcontracting goal of 15% when a contract value is $50,000 or more annually. Certified MBE/WBE/DBE prime contractors can count 100% of the work they self-perform on contracts with EBO subcontracting goals.

*For information on our Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) program in Spanish, Click here

Virtual Training Classes

The Office of Procurement provides educational resources to advise and guide Local Howard County based businesses and EBO (Minority, Women-owned and Disabled-owned Business Enterprises) through the procurement process, vendor registration and how to get certified in the Howard County Local Business Initiative and Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Programs.

Equal Business Opportunity Certification

We strongly encourage minority-owned, women-owned, and disabled-owned businesses to complete the Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Self-Certification Application.  In order to fill out an EBO Certification Application online click here.

Equal Business Opportunity Directory

To search our database of certified vendors, click here and select these certification types: Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Disabled Business Enterprise (DBE)

Notice to Prime Contractors

15% 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 15% 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. Certified MBE/WBE/DBE prime contractors can count 100% of the work they self-perform on contracts with EBO subcontracting goals. The subcontracting goal percentage 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 15% subcontracting goal.

Directories of certified minority, women or disabled business enterprises can be accessed using the following links: