Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program was established in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. The County has received Federal financial assistance from the DOT and as a condition of receiving this assistance, the County has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26.

It is the policy of Baltimore County to ensure that DBEs are defined in Part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT and Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA)-assisted contracts. It is also our policy to:

  • Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of MDOT MTA- assisted contracts; that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law; and that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs
  • Create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for MDOT MTA-assisted contracts
  • To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in MDOT MTA-assisted contracts
  • To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the DBE Program
  • To promote competition, eliminate obstacles, and increase opportunities for Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) to participate as prime contractors on contracts without competing with larger, more established businesses

POLICY STATEMENT: FORMS AND REGULATIONS

REPORTING

Follow the below step-by-step instructions to report and verify payments.

Navigate to https://BaltimoreCounty.PRISMCompliance.com in your internet browser.


 

Be sure to select the jurisdiction (agency) that you are reporting on. Note: If you are logging in for the first time and you need to obtain the company login information, you may submit a written request to mwbe@baltimorecountymd.gov on company letterhead or call 410-887-3407. Company Tax ID will be needed for verification purposes. 

Select Compliance (left menu).

Locate appropriate contract from the list. Under Action (far right), select the Menu icon, then select the appropriate action:

  • If you are the prime on the contract, select Add (+) Payment.
  • If you are the subcontractor, select Add (+) Invoice.

Select Add Activity to enter new activity or select List Activity to view activity already entered.
 

  • If you are a prime on the contract, you will be entering a payment report to your sub(s).
  • If you are a sub on the contract, you will be entering an invoice report to your prime.

If you are a sub on the contract, PRISM will send you an email when the Prime submits a payment report. Review the email and if payment has been received and the data is accurate, select "I accept,".

CERTIFICATION

Baltimore County Government does not offer a DBE Certification. Businesses that wish to participate in the County's DBE program as it relates to the DBE participation goals set in contracts must be certified by the Maryland Department of Transportation Office of Minority Business.

PROCUREMENT ASSISTANCE

Learn more about procurement assistance.