2002

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 724

(2)         THE CRITERIA SHALL INCLUDE A MAXIMUM

NUMBER FOR EMPLOYEES AND A MAXIMUM DOLLAR VOLUME COMPUTED
ON ANNUAL SALES AND RECEIPTS OF A BIDDER AND ALL ITS
AFFILIATES. THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AND MAXIMUM
DOLLAR VOLUME MAY VARY FROM INDUSTRY TO INDUSTRY TO THE
EXTENT NECESSARY TO REFLECT DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS.
HOWEVER, WITH RESPECT TO MAXIMUM NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, A
MANUFACTURING BUSINESS MAY NOT EMPLOY MORE THAN 250
INDIVIDUALS.         WITH RESPECT TO MAXIMUM DOLLAR VOLUME, A

WHOLESALE BUSINESS MAY NOT HAVE ANNUAL SALES IN EXCESS OF
$2,500,000 FOR ITS MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR AND A RETAIL
BUSINESS OR BUSINESS SELLING SERVICES MAY NOT HAVE ANNUAL
SALES AND RECEIPTS IN EXCESS OF [[$500]] $5,000,000.

(C)         THE SECRETARY SHALL ADOPT RULES AND
REGULATIONS SPECIFYING PROCEDURES FOR:

(1)          COMPILING AND MAINTAINING A
COMPREHENSIVE BIDDER'S LIST OF SMALL BUSINESSES;

(2)          LOCATING POTENTIAL SOURCES FOR VARIOUS
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND AFFIRMATIVELY SEEKING TO LOCATE
POTENTIAL MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE SOURCES FOR
VARIOUS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES;

(3)          ASSISTING SMALL BUSINESSES IN COMPLYING
WITH THE PROCEDURES FOR BIDDING ON STATE CONTRACTS;

(4)          EXAMINING REQUESTS FROM USING
AUTHORITIES FOR PURCHASE OF [[PROPERTY]] PRODUCTS OR
SERVICES TO HELP DETERMINE WHICH INVITATIONS TO BID ARE
TO BE DESIGNATED SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDES;

(5)          SIMPLIFYING PROCUREMENT SPECIFICATIONS
AND TERMS IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR
SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION; AND

(6)          INVESTIGATING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
BIDDERS ON SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDES.

(7) PROVIDING TO A SMALL BUSINESS THE REASON
FOR WHICH ANY BID BY THE SMALL BUSINESS FOR A SMALL
BUSINESS SET-ASIDE WAS REJECTED.

THE SECRETARY SHALL BE PROVIDED ASSISTANCE FROM THE

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN
SPECIFYING PROCEDURES FOR PARAGRAPHS (C)(1) AND (2).

(D)         THE SECRETARY MAY DESIGNATE PURCHASE REQUESTS
FOR SPECIFIED MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, OR
SERVICES, WHICH HAVE BEEN REQUESTED THROUGH OR WITH THE
APPROVAL OF THE SECRETARY, AS SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDES.
[[THE NOTICE OR ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS]] THE INVITATION
TO BID SHALL INDICATE PURCHASES THAT HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED
SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDES.

(E)          EACH SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE PURCHASE SHALL
BE MADE THROUGH BIDDING PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY THE