In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires a different meaning. “Baltimore City Market Area” means Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County. “Business firm” means any person, firm, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other business entity or combination of them, including any financial institution, developer, consultant, prime contractor, subcontractor, supplier, or vendor, that has submitted a bid or proposal, has been selected to do business, or is doing business with the City, including selling or leasing supplies, or goods, or providing construction, financial, professional, or other services, in return for a fee or any other form of compensation. “Chief” means the Chief of the Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office. “City” means the City of Baltimore and those agencies, boards, commissions, government authorities, and corporations authorized to act on behalf of, or as agent for, the City of Baltimore. “Commercial customer” means a business entity that has procured or attempted to procure goods or services from another business entity for business purposes, as opposed to personal, family, or household purposes. “Contract” means an agreement with any business firm let by or on behalf of the City for that business firm to sell or lease supplies, or goods, or provide construction, financial, professional, or other services, in return for a fee or any other form of compensation. “Discrimination” means any disadvantage, difference, distinction, or preference in the solicitation, selection, hiring, or treatment of a vendor, supplier, subcontractor, commercial customer, or any other business entity on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or any other form of unlawful discrimination regarding the characteristics of that business entity’s employees or owners. “Discrimination” does not include otherwise lawful efforts, including those specified in Subtitle 28, {“Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises”} of <cite data-path="|5">this Article</cite>, to remedy the effects of discrimination that has occurred or is occurring in the marketplace. “Financial institution” means any person or entity engaged in the business of lending money, guaranteeing loans, extending credit, securing bonds, or providing venture or equity capital to business entities, or that offers financial services in connection with City projects or the administration of City government. “Financial institution” includes any bank, savings and loan association, venture capital company, insurance company, bonding company, mortgage company, credit union, and broker. “Hearing examiner” means an individual appointed by the City Solicitor to conduct hearings under this subtitle. “Office” means the Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office. “Subcontract” means an agreement for the performance of a particular portion of work to be performed under a contract with the City. Ord. 06-186 Ord. 22-125