Montgomery County expands procurement recognition for women- and veteran-owned firms after record $274 million MFD spend

Montgomery County announced changes to its procurement program aimed at expanding opportunities for women-, veteran- and minority-owned firms and reducing administrative burdens for small businesses.

County Executive Mark Elrich said reforms to the Office of Procurement have opened contracting to more bidders and helped increase business participation. "Last fiscal year, we spent a record-breaking $274 million through our MFD program," Elrich said, using the county acronym for minority-, female- and disabled-owned companies.

Ash Shetty, director of the county Office of Procurement, told reporters the department will begin recognizing two SBA certifications for women-owned businesses and will accept the Maryland veteran-owned small business enterprise designation for the county's veterans preference program effective July 1. "We will also be recognizing the state's veteran-owned small business enterprise designation," Shetty said, describing the move as a way to "cast a wider net so more businesses can take advantage of these opportunities in the county."

Officials said the county will continue to accept several established certifications so businesses do not have to duplicate state or federal paperwork. Elrich argued the changes serve equity goals and local economic aims by keeping contracts and jobs in the county: local firms are more likely to hire area residents, rent space locally and purchase supplies inside the county.

The procurement office oversees a portfolio the executive described as surpassing $5 billion in total purchasing for county departments. Officials did not provide a detailed breakdown of which contracts or departments accounted for the $274 million MFD total; reporters were invited to follow up after the briefing.