Frequently Asked Questions

WHY SHOULD MY BUSINESS APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION?
Businesses with the certified business (CB) certification receive preferred procurement and contracting opportunities. For the purpose of enhancing the County’s economic development by creating bidding preferences and participation requirements for County-based businesses on certain procurement contracts for goods and services with the County.

HOW LONG IS MY CERTIFICATION VALID?
Businesses must re-certify every year. Your business will receive notification at least 90 days and 60 days prior to expiration

HOW LONG IS THE CERTIFICATION REVIEW?
A business can submit their questionnaire and receive approval within 24 hours. The initial certification application can take up to 15 days to complete, if a site visit is required. A business analyst will contact your business to schedule a visit. Additionally, the analyst will follow up via a message in the Certification & Compliance Sys-tem (CCS) if documentation is missing or invalid. A decision of approval or denial will be available under the Certification tab in CCS.

HOW DO I NOTIFY THE SDDD OF A CHANGE IN MY CERTIFICATION?
Notification, on business letterhead, should be sent to SDDD to the attention of the Operations Manager at SDDD@co.pg.md.us . The notice should include the change the business is requesting and should be sent by the owner or an owner of the business. If the business is reporting an address change, the business must submit the new lease (minimum of 12 months) or deed for the location and a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit for the location.

WHAT IS LOCAL HIRING?
Prince George's County contributes to job creation in collaboration with Employ PG through the Jobs First Act known as First Source & Local hiring initiative. Establishing a First Source Hiring Program; requiring a certain percentage of local hiring for positions on certain procurement projects directly funded by the County and procurement contracts in County assisted developments. For every procurement greater than $500,000 in contract value and subject to Section 10A-112, 10A-113, or 10A-114, the Purchasing Agent shall require "best efforts" to reach a minimum goal that at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the annual man/woman hours (work hours), on both a total work hour and trade by trade basis, be worked by County residents as a condition of any contract or agreement for a procurement funded by a County agency, including requiring "best efforts" to reach a minimum goal that at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the annual apprenticeship work hours on such contracts or agreements be worked by apprentices who are County residents. The requirements of this Subsection extend to hiring by contractors and subcontractors on procurements funded by a County agency under the supervision or control of the contractors and subcontractors.