How to Register as a Vendor in Maryland

What it's for

eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) is Maryland's procurement portal. The state says "ALL BUSINESSES should register," and registration is free. Once registered, you get emails about solicitations that match your product and service codes, and you can respond online. Many Maryland local governments and school systems use eMMA too, so the same account can reach beyond state agencies.

Have this ready

• Legal name of your organization, tax ID type and Federal Tax ID (EIN or SSN)
• Organization type. Optional: website, DUNS number and a short business description.
• Physical business address, main phone number and company email
• Contact person's first and last name, job title and email
• A password of at least 12 characters with an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, a number and a special character
• UNSPSC codes for your products and services. eMMA replaced the older NAICS/NIGP codes with UNSPSC.
• The Maryland counties you serve, or statewide
• Any certifications: Small Business Reserve (SBR), MBE, VSBE, or federal DBE/SBE/ACDBE
• Good standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) if your entity type needs it (not confirmed in the eMMA guides reviewed)

Steps

1. Download the official eMMA Quick Reference Guide "Registering as a Vendor" from procurement.maryland.gov/emma-qrgs.
2. Go to emma.maryland.gov and start a new vendor registration.
3. Enter company information: legal name, tax ID and organization type.
4. Enter your general business address and phone.
5. Mark any state programs (SBR, VSBE, MBE) and federal programs (DBE, SBE, ACDBE) that apply to you.
6. Add your contact information and create your password.
7. Choose your UNSPSC product and service codes and the areas you serve, then submit.
8. Browse the public solicitations page and respond to bids you qualify for by the due date and time.

After you register

• eMMA emails you opportunities that match your codes, so keep the codes and service areas current.
• Keep contacts, addresses and certifications up to date. The eMMA QRG library has a guide on adding product and service categories.
• Go to pre-bid and pre-proposal conferences when they're offered.
• A renewal schedule was not confirmed in official sources.
• Help: emma.helpdesk@maryland.gov.

Watch out for

• Late bids are rejected. Anything submitted after the due date and time will not be accepted.
• Certifications are separate. MBE certification goes through MDOT's Office of Minority Business Enterprise, SBR is a self-certification through DGS/eMMA, and VSBE verification goes through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Construction and DOT. State construction solicitations are generally posted on eMMA. MDOT and its units, such as MTA, also post some opportunities on their own sites.
• Filter by agency. eMMA carries local government bids as well as state bids.
• Paid services. Registration is officially free. You don't need a paid third-party "registration service."

Certifications and bid preferences in Maryland

• Maryland Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Small Business Reserve (Certified Small Business) and VSBE

Standard bid forms for Maryland

These are the forms bidders are most often asked to sign or attach on Maryland state bids. Each bid lists exactly which ones it needs, and many agencies attach their own copies, so always use the version in the bid documents when there is one.

Sources

• procurement.maryland.gov/how-to-do-business-with-the-state-of-maryland/
• procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2021/01/1-eMMA-QRG-Vendor-Registration.pd
• procurement.maryland.gov/emma-qrgs/
• procurement.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/01/eMMAFAQs-Vendors-v4.pdf
• emma.maryland.gov/page.aspx/en/rfp/request_browse_public

FindMyBids isn't affiliated with any government agency. Registration is free or low cost on official sites; you don't need to pay a third party. Always follow the official portal's instructions.