MD Montgomery County, Small Business Purchases Increases From 10% to 20%

MD Montgomery County Government’s allocation for small business purchases has been increased from 10% to 20%. On November 9, the Montgomery County PPS held a workshop, “Asian Pacific business leaders invitation, government procurement for minority owned business,” and provided the following information.

The county government used Local Small Business Reserve Program (LSBRP) to increase the purchases from the existing 10% to 20%.

LSBRP qualification is determined by the type of ownership, location, size, and the past three years of sales of the business.

The number of employee is another qualification. Retail and wholesale businesses must have less than 30 employees, services and construction businesses must have less than 50 employees, and manufacturing businesses must have less than 40 employees. In addition, retail, wholesale, and service businesses must have less than $5 million for three-year sales. Construction businesses and manufacturing businesses must have less than $14 million for three-year sales.

The county government’s website contains more detailed information (www.montgomerycountymd.gov/lsbrp).

Registration for LSBRP can be done at their website, www.mcipcc.net, by following the step-by-step registration process.

Many minority groups can participate in construction, road construction, laundry, car wash, food services, publishing, transportation services and many other types of businesses.

To participate in the other 80% of the county purchases, business must have one of the six minority business certifications.

The six certifications are Maryland’s MBE, Virginia’s SWAM, Federal 8(a) Program, WBE, MBE, and MWBOO.

The guest speaker for the workshop was Susan Lee, MD State Senator. Cherri Branson, Director of Montgomery County Office of Procurement, attended the meeting, providing information about government procurement and encouraging minorities to participate in the business.