The following businesses are eligible to participate in the program: a local business; a small business; a local small business; a Maryland–based business; a disabled veteran–owned business that is: a local business; a small business; a local small business; or a Maryland–based business; and a veteran–owned business that is: a local business; a small business; a local small business; or a Maryland–based business. The Commission shall adopt: any other eligibility criteria the Commission determines to be necessary or appropriate for the promotion of the businesses specified under subsection (a) of this section; and administrative procedures for conducting the program. An eligible business may qualify to participate in the program without regard to the race, ethnicity, or gender of the participants in the business. The Commission shall establish criteria for graduation from the program for an eligible business that the Commission determines no longer requires the assistance or benefits offered by the program. The Commission shall review the eligibility criteria and administrative procedures of the program each year to assess their effectiveness in furthering the purposes of the program. The Commission may accept as a registered vendor eligible to participate in the program any business that: is a registered vendor through a vendor registration process in another jurisdiction; or self–certifies as a vendor in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission. Nothing in this section may be construed to require a solicitation issued by the Commission to include every category of eligible business.