The Maryland Department of Transportation's (MDOT) Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE) announced that the Personal Net Worth (PNW) cap applicable to the MBE Program would increase from $1,847,024 to $1,995,008, beginning January 1, 2023.

Maryland law requires the state's MBE Program to increase its maximum cap annually depending on the Consumer Price Index. 

The PNW cap applies to any disadvantaged owner whose stake in a firm is relied on for MBE Program certification and all MBE certification decisions made between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. Firms must meet eligibility conditions for minority status, ownership, control, and size.

The federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program's Funding cap is unaffected and remains at $1,320,000.

MDOT is committed to ensuring that small businesses can participate in the procurement process fully and fairly. The certification ensures that only legitimately DBEs acquire the MBE designation, supporting the state's minority business inclusion objectives.