Government Contracting

Harford County Department of Procurement 

Harford County does not require a small, women or minority-owned certification to bid on or do business with the county. The department offers Procurement Bid Process information, a Bid Board and Bid Results on its interactive website. All purchases are governed by Section 414 of the Harford County Charter covering purchasing of supplies and contractual services (including capital projects and consultant services needed by all agencies of the county. 

The purchasing agent assigned to each county department has full responsibility for advertising, soliciting, and evaluating bids and proposals for each requirement estimated to exceed $10,000. Contact the Harford County Department of Procurement, or call 410-638-3550 for more. 

State of Maryland Business Resource Guide 

The State of Maryland offers a range of opportunities for small businesses. Small companies often do not have the resources to aggressively pursue state and federal contracting opportunities. The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development prepared a guide to provide assistance, information and encouragement on accessing opportunities and overcoming bureaucratic and regulatory barriers. The complete Business Resource Guide is available online for reference. Additional information and links are also available from the State of Maryland's website. 

State of Maryland eMaryland Marketplace 

Maryland’s Electronic Marketplace provides the basis for doing business with the state, including procurement news, bid opportunities, award notices, vendors help, contractors help, a comprehensive “how-to” listing and the most-used business-related links. 

State of Maryland MBE - Minority Business Enterprise 

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) administers the certification programs for both the State of Maryland Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program, as well as the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. Maryland has a combined comprehensive certification program to ensure that only those businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals participate in both programs. Details and a directory of certified firms can be accessed online. 

State of Maryland Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs (GOMA) 

GOMA is the agency responsible for carrying out the goal of increased inclusion of small and minority business enterprises with state contract opportunities. GOMA establishes executive policy directives and oversees the state’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program for all 75 state agencies, including the 22 that participate in the Small Business Reserve Program. 

Maryland Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) 

PTAC is the state organization best able to assist with “Selling to the Government.” Sponsored by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, the Defense Logistics Agency and the University of Maryland, PTAC provides companies with access to experienced government contracting and procurement specialists. 

Using the Automated Bid Matching Service, PTAC scans over 400 agencies daily for opportunities, including FedBizOpps, Defense Logistic Agency and international, state and local agencies. PTAC is available by phone toll free at 866-228-0432, ext. 27.