Socioeconomic Programs Status Page Five
Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Program CRFP's Compliance Officers monitor State-funded projects to ensure compliance with Maryland's Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Program. The VSBE Program provides contracting opportunities for qualified veteran-owned small businesses in state-funded procurements. Under COMAR 21.11.03.01, each State procurement agency must structure its procurement procedures to achieve an overall minimum goal of one percent (1%) of the unit's total dollar value of all procurement contracts made directly or indirectly with veteran-owned small business enterprises. Effective September 2024, the Veteran Small Business Enterprise State goal was increased to three percent (3%). Updated statistical information for the VSBE program is pending completion of data collection, reconciliation, and validation. These steps are necessary to ensure that reported figures accurately reflect eligible procurement activity during the reporting period. CRFP will provide updated statistics once this review is complete. Major Initiatives CRFP continues the following strategies focused on outreach, training, and data analysis to achieve its mission of championing socio-economic programs: • In-person Outreach Events: Civil Rights and Fair Practices hosted two in-person outreach events within the 2026 calendar year titled "Doing Business with the MDTA." The first was hosted on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, and the second on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. In addition to hosting quarterly outreach events, CRFP actively participates in other sponsored outreach events to further educate businesses on how to engage in contracts that include MBE, VSBE, and CSB/SBR goals and/or designations. These efforts also guide the steps required to participate in such contracts and offer information on MDTA’s upcoming procurement and contracting opportunities. • Target Training and Process Improvements: Based on an internal MDTA audit, CRFP identified specific training needs and opportunities to update its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and general operating practices. In response, CRFP continues to conduct targeted staff training and auditing processes to support its division-wide efforts to revise SOPs and standard practices. In addition, CRFP is partnering with other MDTA divisions to strengthen coordination and consistency. These actions are intended to improve operational effectiveness, enhance the quality of compliance monitoring, and support MDTA’s continued adherence to applicable regulatory requirements. • Beginning in calendar year 2026, CRFP began to participate in regular strategic coordination meetings with the Division of Procurement and the Office of Engineering and Construction to improve processes related to the modification of A&E and
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