Overview

This Quick Reference Guide (QRG) is designed to help Buyers use the Public Vendor Search, which allows anyone to search for Vendors currently registered in eMMA without needing to be logged into or registered in eMMA.

You can find such information as a Vendor’s company and contact names, diversity classification (if available), and commodity categories. This search can also be tailored to VSBE, MBE, and SBR programs.

PRO TIP: It is a best practice to first search for a Vendor using the Browse Vendors page and the tax ID to return the most accurate profile.

NOTE: For best results, use the Google Chrome browser to access eMMA.

NOTE: Results cannot be saved, exported, or downloaded.

If you need help at any time, please reach out to the eMMA helpdesk at emma.helpdesk@maryland.gov.

• Basic Search
• Restricting the Search to an Industry
• Restricting the Search to an Area Served
• Restricting the Search to a Specific Diversity Program

Step-by-Step Instructions

Basic Search

1. Access the eMMA portal. (For best results, access eMMA via Google Chrome.)
2. Click Vendor Search on the right side of the screen.
   
   
   
3. Enter information in the Vendor Search page as follows, then click the Search button.
   
    
   1. Keywords: Type a search term or keyword for the Vendor in the Keywords field.
   2. Commodities (UNSPSC): Click this field to open the drop-down menu and select one or more UNSPSC categories that potentially describe the Vendors’ industry or click See All at the bottom of the menu. 
   3. Diversity: Select the Vendors’ diversity classification, if applicable.
   4. Areas Served: Select the areas served by the Vendors you are searching for. Enter as many areas as applicable.
   5. Company Name: Type part or all of the Vendor’s company name.
   6. eMMA Vendor ID: If you know a Vendor’s eMMA Vendor ID (beginning with “SUP”), type it in this field. Your search result will contain only one Vendor.
   7. NAICS Code: Click this field to open the drop-down menu and select one or more additional NAICS classifications that potentially describe your Vendors’ industry or click See All at the bottom of the menu.
   8. Country: Click this field to open the drop-down menu and select the country in which the Vendor is located.
      
       NOTE: You can only choose one country.
       
   9. State: Select the state in which the Vendor is located.
      
       NOTE: You can only choose one state.
      
      
   10. Vendor Email: Type a Vendor’s email address, if known. 
   11. Federal and State Programs: Click the arrows next to Federal Programs and State Programs to display available federal and state program checkboxes. Check as many boxes as applicable.

Restricting the Search to an Industry

To find Vendors that offer products and services from a particular industry, you can use UNSPSC and NAICS commodity codes in your search. Follow these steps:

1. Access the eMMA portal. 
2. Click Vendor Search on the right side of the screen.
3. Restrict your search to either or both of the following:
   1. NAICS Codes: Classifications and numerical codes in the North American Industry Classification System assigned to A certified MBE firm’s participation may be counted in full if the MBE is certified in the appropriate NAICS code(s) to provide products and services as a manufacturer.
   2. Commodity Codes: Classifications and numerical codes in the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC) global classification system of commodities. These codes have replaced the NAICS codes.
      
      IMPORTANT: To find Vendors with NAICS and UNSPSC codes, run NAICS and UNSPSC searches one at a time. If you use NAICS and UNSPSC code filters in the same search, eMMA will retrieve only those Vendors that were categorized under NAICS and UNSPSC codes combined.

Example of Commodities search: Suppose you want Vendors who provide well-digging services. 

1. Click Commodities to open the drop-down menu and click See All at the bottom of the menu.
   
   
   
2. Clicking See All opens a window in which all commodities are listed. Type a term, e.g., well, in the Keywords field and click the Search button to return relevant results.
   
   
   
3. Use the plus and minus icons to the left of the commodity groups to expand and collapse them. It is imperative that you select as many commodities as apply to the Vendor. 
4. Select one or more commodity(ies) from this list and close the window by clicking the X in the upper-right corner.
   
   
   
5. The commodity(ies) you selected are displayed in the Commodities field. Click the Search button to run the search.
   

Restricting the Search to an Area Served

To find Vendors that serve Baltimore city or one or more specific Maryland counties, you can add an Areas Served restriction to your search. Follow these steps:

1. Access the eMMA portal. 
2. Click Vendor Search on the right side of the screen.
3. The Vendor Search page is displayed. 
4. Click the Areas Served field to open the drop-down menu.
   
   
   
5. Click one or more areas on the menu to select them for your search.
6. Click the Search button to run the search.
   

Restricting the Search to a Specific Diversity Program

To find Vendors that one or more specific diversity programs (e.g., MBE, SBR, VSBE, etc.), follow these steps:

1. Access the eMMA portal. 
2. Click Vendor Search on the right side of the screen.
3. The Vendor Search page is displayed. 
4. Click the arrows next to Federal Programs and State Programs to display available federal and state program checkboxes. Check as many boxes as applicable.
   
   
   
5. You can further narrow your search to Vendors with a specific diversity classification (e.g., female, African American, disabled, etc.). Click the Diversity field to open the drop-down menu and select as many diversity classifications as applicable. The search retrieves Vendors that have at least one of the classifications you selected.
   
   
   
6. When you have filled out all fields, click Search to run the search. 

PRO TIP:  To sort results by the criterion of a specific column, click the column heading.