Certification Programs
Certification is an incentive program to ensure small, women- and minority-owned, and disadvantaged businesses have an equal opportunity to participate in business opportunities. The certification process makes certain that the incentive programs are limited to businesses legitimately owned and controlled by local small, women, minorities, and disadvantaged businesses. To be certified, a business must meet established standards and be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by a qualifying person or persons. Note: Most programs provide certification reciprocity for eligible companies. Types of certification - Small Business Enterprise (SBE) is a race and gender neutral program. All small business owners.*
- Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE) is designed for Caucasian women only.
- Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) includes all minorities regardless of gender.
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) is a race and gender neutral program. All small business owners.
*Arizona definition of a small business including its affiliates, is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in it field, employs fewer than 100 full-time employees, or has grossed less than $4 million in its last fiscal year. Certification Programs Arizona Unified Certification Program (UCP) The Arizona UCP has been established to facilitate statewide DBE certification. The UCP eliminates the need for DBE applicant businesses to obtain certification from multiple agencies, and provides reciprocity within Arizona. The Arizona Department of Transportation, City of Phoenix, and the City of Tucson are members of the Arizona UCP. The official UCP DBE database includes DBE firms certified by these three agencies. Bidders who are meeting goals on FAA and FTA contracts being let by other in-state entities can only use the DBEs certified by the Arizona UCP. For more information, visit their website at www.azdbe.net. Arizona Steps Up Directory If you are certified with the Arizona Department of Transportation, City of Phoenix or City of Tucson as a Small (SBE), Woman (WBE), Minority (MBE), or Disadvantaged (DBE) Business Enterprise, you will automatically be listed in the Arizona Steps Up Directory. This free online directory is an electronic resource for state procurement and public purchasing personnel to locate certified small, women, minority, and disadvantaged businesses. Visit their website at http://az.gov/webapp/azstepsup. |