The Equal Opportunity Department administers the city’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) 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 SBEs include the Reserve Contract Program for goods and general services providers. This program is administered by the Finance department. The Subcontracting Goals Program for construction subcontractors is administered by the Streets Transportation Department.
Information on SBE-certified firms is available on the online SBE Business Directory located at phoenix.diversitycompliance.com.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification Program
This program certifies socially (minority and woman-owned firms) and economically disadvantaged business owners interested in conducting 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.
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 use of DBE subcontractors.
EOD also oversees the federal DBE Program, working with the Aviation, Public Transit, Public Works and Street Transportation Departments to ensure equal opportunity for DBE-certified prime construction contractors and subcontractors.
Information on DBE-certified firms is available on the online DBE Directory located at azdot.gov.azdbe.
