US DOT Unified Certification Program
In March 1999, the DBE regulation, 49 CFR Part 26, required states to establish a Unified Certification Program to provide "one-stop shopping" for firms seeking DBE/ACDBE certification. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program is designed to ensure there is an equal opportunity for socially and economically disadvantaged firms to compete for Department of Transportation (DOT) contracts.
PA Unified Certification Program (UCP)
The purpose of the PA UCP DBE Certification Website is to provide "one-stop shopping" for firms seeking certification as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) in accordance with 49 CFR Part 26. The PAUCP makes all certification decisions on behalf of all agencies and organizations in the Commonwealth with respect to participation in the DBE Program. In other words, firms certified as a DBE with the PAUCP are eligible to participate on any Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration funded contract as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise.
Certifying Agencies
PennDOT along with the listed certifying group are members of the PA UCP who process DBE Certifications. Questions or requests for information regarding DBE firms certified through PennDOT, should be sent to penndotucpinfo@pa.gov.
Prospective DBE/ACDBEs seeking certification can submit an application and supporting documentation to any one of the following five certifying agencies:
| Certifying Agency Names | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authoirty (SEPTA) | DBE Program Office 1234 Market Street, 11th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 Phone: 215-580-7278 Fax: 215-580-7261 Email: DBEProgram@septa.org Website: www.septa.org/business/dbe/ |
| Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) | P.O. Box 3251 Harrisburg, PA 17105-3251 Phone: 717-787-5891 Fax: 717-772-4026 Email: penndotucpinfo@pa.gov Website: www.penndot.pa.gov/about-us/EqualEmployment/Pages/Disadvantaged-Business-Enterprise.aspx |
| Allegheny County Department of Equity and Inclusion (DEI) | Office County Building 542 Forbes Avenue Room 204 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: 412-350-4309 Fax: 412-350-4915 Email: DEICertifications@alleghenycounty.us Website: www.alleghenycounty.us/Projects-and-Initiatives/Equity-and-Inclusion |
| Philadelphia International Airport/Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PHL/PNE) | Business Diversity and Accessibility 2 International Plaza, Suite 400 Philadelphia, PA 19113 Phone: (215) 937-1801 Email: OBD@phl.org Website: www.phl.org/business/OBD |
| Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) | Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue 5th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 Phone: 412-566-5257 Email: DBEProgram@rideprt.org Website: www.rideprt.org/business-center/DBE/ACDBE/ |