Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

The University of Maryland, Baltimore is strongly committed to maximizing the opportunities for minority and women owned businesses in our procurement process. The Department of Strategic Sourcing & Acquisition Services routinely solicits from minority and women owned businesses and makes certain these firms are included in the award of contracts wherever possible.

The University's Schools and Departments are also expected to seek out minority and women owned businesses as they make purchases using the procurement card and while developing their purchase order requisitions.

Only by working aggressively together will we as a campus be able to meet the established goal of placing twenty-nine percent of our purchases with Maryland Department of Transportation certified minority vendors. The MBE Program goal helps ensure inclusiveness for those socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners are included in our procurement opportunities directly as prime contractors or indirectly as subcontractors.

The Department of Strategic Sourcing & Acquisition Services stands ready to help you in any way in doing business with minority and women owned firms. If you have any questions, concerns, suggestions, or comments, please contact Arnold Jolivet, MBE Liaison Officer. Mr. Jolivet can be reached by calling 410-706-7013 or email to ajolivet@umaryland.edu.

The following links may be helpful:

Sweeten

Starting soon, UMB is utilizing the Sweeten platform in support of its supplier diversity goals. Individuals who procure goods or services for their departments will be able to use the Sweeten resource to easily and effectively identify an MBE or WBE that can offer what they are looking for. Additionally, vendors who contract with UMB will be able to utilize Sweeten as a reporting platform for both prime and subcontractor MBE/WBE information. To learn more about Sweeten, see the Frequently Asked Questions below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for UMB Employees

Below are FAQs about Sweeten for UMB Employees.

Why is UMB utilizing Sweeten software? ▾

In 1978, the Maryland General Assembly enacted legislation creating the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program to ensure that socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners are included in the state’s procurement and contracting opportunities, which includes UMB. In 2023, Governor Moore issued an Executive Order to further improve upon the state’s MBE program. Each quarter, UMB reports the dollar value and percentage of goods and services obtained from certified MBE and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE) to the state of Maryland. Current regulations set the MBE program's statewide goal at 29% across 70 participating agencies and departments. 

The MBE program helps ensure that socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners are included in our procurement opportunities, whether directly as prime contractors or indirectly as subcontractors. Along with a compliance responsibility, the MBE program aligns with our core values of Equity and Justice. 

What are some of the benefits of using Sweeten? ▾

To help meet the established goal of placing 29% of our purchases with businesses certified as MBE by the Maryland Department of Transportation, departments are expected to seek out MBE/WBE as they make purchases using p-cards and while developing purchase order requisitions. Utilizing Sweeten makes it easier for purchasers to find certified MBE/WBE in one central location.

Additionally, Sweeten allows purchasers to identify vendors from throughout the United States who are not certified as MBE/WBE in the State of Maryland but could be, thus helping to expand the State's pool of certified businesses in support of supplier diversity.

Who will have access to the software?  ▾

All users in Quantum Financials will have access to the software. On the Quantum Financials homepage, you will see an icon for "Sweeten Supplier Diversity" at the bottom. 

If I procure goods and services for UMB, how can I learn how to use Sweeten? ▾

Utilize the Sweeten User Manual for a guide on how to use the platform at UMB.

Who do I contact if I need help? ▾

If you have questions about using the Sweeten Achieve application, submit a support request or report a problem by clicking the "Feedback" button located in the lower right-hand corner of your Sweeten screen, and the Sweeten Enterprise team will assist you. 

If you have questions about the UMB Supplier Diversity Program, contact Arnold Jolivet, Supplier Diversity Program Manager at 410-706-7013 or ajolivet@umaryland.edu.