# State Finance and Procurement (GSF)

## Title 14. Preferences

### Subtitle 2. Small Business Preference Program

#### Section 14-206

(a) In this section, "percentage preference" means the percent of the lowest responsive bid submitted by a responsible bidder who is not a small business by which a responsive bid by a small business may:

  (1) exceed the lowest bid; and

  (2) be awarded a procurement contract under this subtitle.

(b) Subject to the approval of the Board, each unit:

  (1) shall establish a percentage preference, not to exceed 8%, for each industry as follows:

    (i) a base percentage preference not to exceed 5% for all small businesses; and

    (ii) two additional preferences to the percentage preference set forth in item (i) of this paragraph as follows:

      (1) 2% for veteran-owned small businesses; and

      (2) 3% for disabled veteran-owned small businesses; and

  (2) may vary the percentage preference determined in item (1)(i) of this subsection among industries to account for their particular characteristics.

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Md. Code Ann., State Fin. & Proc. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)