The 2005 Defense Base Realignment and Closure decisions have presented Maryland with an unprecedented opportunity to expand the State's economy by creating workforce and business development growth, and to further foster an environment where small and minority businesses can thrive.  Maryland's close proximity to Washington, DC, has provided one of the largest concentrations of small and minority firms with federal contracting experience who are ready to partner with U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) contractors to support BRAC-related activities. 

As a member of the Governor's Subcabinet on BRAC, GOMA is the lead agency for Maryland's BRAC-related initiatives and resouces for small and minority businesses. The BRAC process offers several avenues for small and minority business growth:  new federal procurements; State and local government infrastructure-related contracting activity; and entrepreneurial ventures.   In order to help facilitate this effort, GOMA developed a plan for minority business inclusion as part of the Maryland BRAC Action Plan that includes initiatives to ensure that small and minority businesses have access to State and federal BRAC procurement activity. 

GOMA and its collaborative partners (Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development’s Division of Small Business, Maryland Small Business Development Center Network, Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority / Meridian Management Group), are working to extend the economic benefits of BRAC by:   

• Creating access to BRAC business opportunities;
• Providing information about BRAC contracts and procurements;
• Increasing awareness of the resources that are available to assist firms seeking BRAC-related work; and
• Expanding outreach to connect small and minority firms with military buyers and decision makers for both federal and State BRAC activity.

Initiatives:

BRAC Small and Minority Business Advisory Board

The Advisory Board was created to assist in the identification and dissemination of information, and to form partnerships through mentoring to increase opportunities for successful contract awards. Retired Air Force Captain, John Huggins, Jr., president and CEO of Technology Alliance, a Maryland-based consortium of Telecommunications and Information Technology companies, serves as the Board Chair.  The Board is actively assembling robust teams of small and minority firms that can not only land subcontracts, but participate as prime contractors as well. 

BRAC Small and Minority Business Opportunities Study

GOMA, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, commissioned a Study aimed at identifying public procurement opportunities; and providing the pathway for access.  The Study was conducted by Towson University (RESI), Maryland Small Business Development Center Network, and Bowie State University. 

The Study showed an analysis of the spending levels in Maryland for DoD, and Maryland’s Five Military Installations from 2002 to 2007.  The Study also found that:

• Maryland small and minority firms overall appear to be well positioned to increase their procurement activities with federal installations in and around the State.
• Past procurement performance indicates that there is great potential for increased opportunities.
• Industry sectors with the strongest growth trends for future procurement opportunities are Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; and Construction. 
• Industry sectors with low growth trends for future procurement opportunities are Transportation & Warehousing; Agriculture; and Educational Services.

Upcoming Events:

No events at this time.

Current Activity:

GOMA continues to collaborate with companies, agencies, and stakeholders on BRAC-related activities to further strengthen the State’s efforts toward building strategic partnerships, increasing access to information and opportunities, and expanding outreach to small and minority firms.

To learn more about the BRAC Small and Minority Business efforts, contact our office at 410-767-8232 or 877-558-0998.