The Equal Opportunity Department Business Relations Division administers the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification Programs. These programs help ensure that small businesses and businesses owned by economically and socially disadvantaged individuals have an equal opportunity to enter into contracts with and provide services to the city of Phoenix.
Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification Program
This program certifies firms to participate in business opportunities available for small business owners located in Maricopa County who want to do business with the city of Phoenix.
SBE certification is valid for providers of goods, general services and construction services. Programs available for certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firms include a reserve contract program for providers of goods and general services, and a subcontracting goals program for construction subcontractors.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification Program
This program certifies socially (minority and woman-owned firms) and economically disadvantaged business owners who want to do business with the city of Phoenix.
The program is available to firms located in the United States that have completed the Arizona Unified Certification Program (AZUCP) process through a statewide one stop process with the city of Phoenix, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) or the city of Tucson. The AZUCP database of DBE firms at www.azdbe.org includes DBE firms certified by these three agencies.
DBE certification is valid for all U. S. Department of Transportation contracts for highway, transit and airport programs. These include funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The certification is valid on all contracts that specify the utilization of DBE subcontractors.
