Maryland Office of State Procurement

Maryland's central procurement office and home of eMMA

Government AgencyDMV-wide

About Maryland Office of State Procurement

What it is

The Office of State Procurement (OSP) sits within the Maryland Department of General Services and was established on October 1, 2019. It is the main procurement unit for delegated State procurements, with transportation-related and otherwise exempt purchases handled elsewhere. OSP also oversees the Office of Contract Oversight, which monitors contract performance, and the Maryland Procurement Academy, which offers procurement training and certifications for state staff.

What it offers founders

For a startup or small business that wants the State of Maryland as a customer, OSP runs the website that explains how state buying works and links to eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA), the State's eProcurement system. Solicitations from State agencies, local and county governments, school systems and universities are posted on eMMA, so one registration gives visibility into many public buyers. OSP's For Vendors and Businesses page collects quick reference guides for registering and bidding in eMMA, a vendor training page, and a guide on how to do business with the State.

The site also points to related state programs: the Small Business Reserve (SBR), where eligible firms self-certify as small businesses, and the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) programs, which are hosted by the Governor's Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs. OSP notes that revised, easier MBE and VSBE forms apply to solicitations posted on or after September 1, 2026.

Who it is for

Any business that wants to sell goods or services to Maryland public entities, from first-time bidders to established contractors. Founders new to government sales will find the vendor training and partner program links most useful, including the Maryland APEX Accelerator for bid counseling and the free monthly T.I.P.S. webinar series on state procurement. OSP also notes that businesses contracting with Maryland must be registered with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).

How to engage

Start by registering in eMMA and setting up your profile so you can see and respond to solicitations. Use the vendor training and support page for walkthroughs, and review the partners and programs page to find certification and counseling help. OSP has offices at 45 Calvert Street in Annapolis and 301 West Preston Street in Baltimore, and a toll free line at (800) 449-4347.

Why it matters in the DMV ecosystem

State and local government is a large buyer in Maryland, and eMMA is the common front door for many of those opportunities. Knowing how OSP and eMMA work, and pairing that with small business or MBE and VSBE certification where eligible, can help an early-stage company find and win its first public contracts.

Programs

eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA)
The State of Maryland's eProcurement system, where State, local, county, school and university solicitations are posted and vendors submit bids.
Vendor Training and Support
Training resources and quick reference guides on registering in eMMA and submitting bids.
Office of Contract Oversight
An OSP unit that monitors the performance of state contracts.
Maryland Procurement Academy
Training and certifications for Maryland procurement staff.

Who it serves

Businesses of any size, including startups and small, minority and veteran-owned firms, that want to sell goods or services to Maryland state and local public entities.

Frequently asked questions

Where are Maryland state solicitations posted?

On eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) at emma.maryland.gov, which also carries solicitations from many local and county governments, schools and universities.

How do I learn to register and bid in eMMA?

OSP links to eMMA quick reference guides and a vendor training page with registration and bid submission guidance, and offers an eMMA helpdesk for live support.

Can my small business get certified for state set-asides?

Eligible firms can self-certify through the Small Business Reserve program, and minority and veteran-owned firms can pursue MBE and VSBE certification through the Governor's Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs.

Is there free help with government contracting?

OSP points vendors to the Maryland APEX Accelerator for counseling and training, and to the free monthly T.I.P.S. webinar series on state procurement.

How do I contact the Office of State Procurement?

OSP lists offices at 45 Calvert Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 and 301 West Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, and a toll free number, (800) 449-4347.