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 located in Maricopa County to participate in business opportunities with the city of Phoenix.
SBE certification is valid for providers of goods, general services and construction services. Programs available for certified small business enterprises include a reserve contract program for providers of goods and general services and a subcontracting goals program for construction subcontractors.
The names of firms granted SBE certification are available to all city procurement personnel through the online SBE 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 who want to do business with the city of Phoenix.
DBE certification is available for firms located in the United States through the Arizona Unified Certification Program (AZUCP). The program is a statewide one-stop process with the city of Phoenix, the 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 cities and state agency.
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 utilization of DBE subcontractors.
EOD also oversees the federal DBE Program, working with the city Aviation, Public Transit, Public Works and Street Transportation departments to ensure equal opportunity for DBE-certified prime construction contractors and subcontractors.
DBE Program Policy Statement
