Procurement Compliance Bulletin
April 21, 2025
Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. They bring purpose, foster connection, and reflect the rich diversity that defines Maryland. Our state is home to individuals from all walks of life, each contributing to a dynamic and evolving socioeconomic landscape.
As colleagues and state employees, we have the power—and the responsibility—to uplift and engage with the small business community. That means holding ourselves and each other accountable, leading with intention, and creating meaningful opportunities for growth and inclusion.
So, how do we do this? Let’s SPRING INTO ACTION!
GO full throttle in your efforts to connect with and support small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses. DO your part to carry out the Governor’s vision of equity, inclusion, and progress across all agencies. SHOW your commitment by sharing how your unit is increasing engagement and participation in the SBR, MBE, and VSBE Programs.
Together, we can make a lasting impact.
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Upcoming Compliance Call
GOSBA hosts a compliance call each quarter to address issues impacting how the SBR, MBE, and VSBE procurement programs are implemented by participating state agencies and departments. Topics for discussion come from you, our liaisons and procurement officers. We discuss them in an open and transparent forum so we can all learn from one another.
The next Compliance Call is April 22, 2025 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Topics will include:
- MBE, VSBE and SBR Quarterly Reports (Mandatory)
- 2026 Procurement Forecast
- MBE Ombudsman Update
An invitation was sent out. If you have questions about the Compliance Call or would like to add a staff member to our mailing list, let us know. If you do not wish to attend any upcoming meetings, simply decline the meeting invitation.
For questions about the compliance call, please email lisa.sennaar@maryland.gov
Thank you to everyone who attended the combined SBR, MBE, and VSBE Liaison training on February 18, 2025. For those who were unable to attend, the slide deck and training video will be available on the GOSBA website in the SBR, MBE and VSBE toolkits. For your convenience, you may download the combined PowerPoint presentation below:
Combined Liaison Training 2.18.2025 PPT
Designated MBE Compliance Manager One-on-One Scheduling
Each MBE Compliance Manager has been assigned to specific participating agencies, to provide more tailored and hands-on assistance. An email was sent out to each MBE liaison on January 28, 2025, a list was provided of each agencies designation.
Below are Karen Reyes and Tiara Randolph's Calendly links to make it easy for you to schedule one-on-one sessions whenever you need guidance or have questions. We look forward to collaborating with you to ensure your success as an MBE liaison.
Karen Reyes Calendly Link
Tiara Randolph Calendly Link
Feel free to reach out via email as well:
Karen Reyes - karen.reyes@maryland.gov
Tiara Randolph - tiara.randolph@maryland.gov
Quarter 3 training and office hours for the MBE quarterly reports are now available. Report training will walk through the reporting templates, backup data and submission requirements. Office Hours will provide an open space for MBE liaisons and report preparers to ask any questions in regards to completing the MBE QTR 3 report. Sign up to attend a training via google form here:
https://forms.gle/PuLmdD5kbQcwTxBC6
Next QTR Report Training:
April 24, 2025 from 1pm-2pm
Next QTR 3 Office Hours:
April 28, 2025 from 1:30pm -2:30pm
April 30, 2025 from 10am-11am
Reporting templates and QTR Compliance Check-In Google Survey can be found in the MBE Reporting Toolkit under the FY2025 Quarterly Reporting dropdown. Be sure to enter the cumulative QTR 3 data for this report (July 1, 2024- March 31, 2025).
Participating units are required to report FY 2025 MBE quarterly data to GOSBA
within 30 days of the quarter’s closing date. The due date for 3rd Quarter reports is April 30, 2025.
- Quarterly reporting is MANDATORY and timely submission of the data is critical. The quarterly report will note participating units that fail to submit the required data on time.
- Quarterly Reports do not have to be signed.
- GOSBA will have 15 days to prepare a statewide quarterly report for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, the Board of Public Works, and the Governor’s Cabinet.
If you have questions pertaining to the MBE Quarterly Report, feel free to submit them via email or contact your designated MBE Compliance Manager to schedule a meeting.
Participating agencies are required to report FY2025 SBR (CSB) quarterly data to GOSBA
within 30 days of the quarter’s closing date. Quarterly reports are cumulative, so for QTR 3, you will be reporting from July 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025 They do not require a signature and are due by April 30, 2025. Please make sure to use the updated template in the toolkit.
- Quarterly reporting is MANDATORY and timely submission of data is critical.
- Participating agencies that fail to submit the required data are identified in GOSBA's statewide quarterly report that is submitted to the Governor, Lt. Governor, Board of Public Works, and Cabinet.
Please submit the SBR Program 3rd Quarter Reports to the SBR Reports mailbox: sbrreports.gosba@maryland.gov.
REMINDER- FY2025 Program Update
Per COMAR 21.11.01.06 (A) (2) and EXECUTIVE ORDER 01.01.2024.38
A procurement with a total dollar value between $50,000 and $500,000 shall be designated for the small business reserve program as long as an eMMA search at least two Certified Small Businesses (SBRs) that have selected the commodity codes for work or provide the desired goods or services.
To address any questions or concerns about SBR waivers, reporting, certification, outreach, or training assistance, please email your SBR Compliance Manager to schedule a meeting.
Lisa Mitchell Sennaar - lisa.sennaar@maryland.gov
Tanita Johnson - tanita.johnson1@maryland.gov
FY2025 VSBE Q3 Reporting Reminders
As a reminder, all VSBE participating units are REQUIRED to submit both quarterly reports. These reports do not require a signature and are always due 30 days after the end of the quarter. The reports are cumulative, so for QTR 3, you will be reporting from July 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025. A 'Direct Solicitation' tab has been added for agencies to separate Direct solicitations (Direct Vouchers and Credit Cards) made to just VSBEs from Contract Awards that were issued in each quarter. Please make sure to use the most updated template in the toolkit.
The 2 templates of the VSBE Quarterly Form AND the VSBE Procurement Activity Report that are required in your submission to the vsbereports.gosba@maryland.gov mailbox by April 30th. If both are not received, your submission is incomplete.
VSBE Outreach
Is your unit wanting to complete outreach to the VSBE community BEFORE the end of the fiscal year? If so, please email our VSBE Compliance Manager so we can include your unit in one of our upcoming opportunities!
To address any questions or concerns about VSBE certification, outreach, training, or reporting, please contact the VSBE Compliance Manager.
Danielle Davis - danielle.davis2@maryland.gov.
by Nichelle Johnson
Often when the MBE Ombudsman unit calls, there might be a problem. Although we all work to ensure that the MBE Program is implemented well at the unit level, sometimes issues do arise. However, we want to work with you to be more proactive.
When procurement units are completing important functions such as MBE form reviews, compliance monitoring, or Procurement Review Group (PRG) document preparation, remember that in addition to your MBE Liaison and legal counsel, the MBE Ombudsman unit is here to assist you as well. If you have questions or need to meet with us, just send us an email at mbe.ombudsman@maryland.gov or go to our webpage and click our Contact Us box to let us know when you would like to meet. As Henry Ford said,"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself."
If you would like special training for your unit, reach out to us. We have provided PRG training, liquidated damages training, and compliance training to our procurement unit partners. We are here to serve both you and our small minority and women owned businesses. Let us know how we can help you today!
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Quarterly Compliance Call
Save the Date: April 22, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
In Person Combined MBE, SBR, VSBE Liaison Training
Save the Date: June 4, 2025, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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