§20–205.

    (a)    To participate in the contract–specific goals and preferences authorized under this subtitle, a business must:

        (1)    be certified by a certification agency in accordance with Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle;

        (2)    (i)    be certified by any certification agency; and

            (ii)    submit all additional documentation necessary for the Office to determine that the business meets the requirements of Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle; or

        (3)    be certified under a certification program that the Commission determines substantially duplicates the requirements for a State certification agency under Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle.

    (b)    To substantially duplicate the requirements for a State certification agency under Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle, a certification program shall, at a minimum, have certification requirements that are at least as narrowly tailored as the State’s requirements in Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle with respect to:

        (1)    business ownership and control;

        (2)    business size standards;

        (3)    business owner personal net worth; and

        (4)    business owner social and economic disadvantage.

    (c)    If the Office determines that a business seeking to participate in the minority business enterprise utilization program established under § 20–204 of this subtitle has a certification that does not substantially duplicate the requirements in Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle, the Office may:

        (1)    request and evaluate documentation and evidence necessary to determine whether the business may be authorized to participate in programs under this subtitle; and

        (2)    following the evaluation under item (1) of this subsection, authorize a business to participate in programs under this subtitle.