Baltimore County Public Schools

Engage. Empower. Excel.

The Office of Purchasing administers procedures to facilitate the participation of Small Business Enterprises (SBE) and Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) in all contracts. It is the intent of BCPS to achieve a goal of 15 percent of the total value of all contracts to be made to small business enterprises and certified minority business enterprises, either directly or indirectly. 

MBE
A minority business enterprise is defined as any legal entity, other than a joint venture, organized to engage in commercial transactions, and which is (1) at least 51 percent owned and/or controlled by one or more minority interest persons, or (2) a non-profit entity organized to promote the interests of the physically or mentally disabled. Minority groups identified are: African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans, Women, and Physically or Mentally Disabled individuals. A certified minority business enterprise is a minority business that holds a certification issued by the Maryland State Department of Transportation or other recognized municipality or minority association. 

SBE
A small business is a for-profit business, other than a broker, that meets the following criteria:
   

1. it is independently owned and operated;
2. it is not a subsidiary of another business;
3. it is not dominant in its field of operation;
4. its wholesale operations did not employ more than 50 persons, OR its gross sales did not exceed an average of $4,000,000 in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years;
5. its retail operations did not employ more than 25 persons, OR its gross sales did not exceed an average of $3,000,000 in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years;
6. its manufacturing operations did not employ more than 100 persons, OR its gross sales did not exceed an average of $2,000,000 in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years;
7. its service operations did not employ more than 100 persons, OR its gross sales did not exceed an average of $10,000,000 in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years;
8. its construction operations did not employ more than 50 persons, OR its gross sales did not exceed an average of $7,000,000 in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years;
9. its architectural and engineering operations did not employ more than 100 persons, OR its gross sales did not exceed an average of $4,500,000 in its most recently completed 3 fiscal years.