# Public Utilities (GPU)

## Title 20. Procurement

### Subtitle 2. Minority Business Enterprise Preferences

#### Section 20-205

(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 Sec. 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.

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Md. Code Ann., Pub. Util. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)