The Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program, the governing body for certification of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) and Airport Concessionaire Business Enterprises (ACDBEs) seeking to participate in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funded projects throughout Pennsylvania, is transitioning to a new certification directory. The new directory will enable DBEs and ACDBEs to complete their application forms online, upload necessary documents directly to the system and track and exchange information throughout the application process. Firms certified as DBEs and ACDBEs with the PA-UCP are eligible to participate on any Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funded contracts.  

"The purpose of the PA-UCP is to provide one-stop shopping for certification as a DBE, an ACDBE or both DBE/ACDBE," said Kathleen Padilla, PHL’s Deputy Director of Aviation for Diversity and Inclusion and PA-UCP Oversight Committee chairperson. "The PA-UCP certification directory is powered by B2Gnow Software. If a small business has home-state or other DBE certifications processed through B2Gnow, their documents are saved in the system and can be retrieved for other certifications." 

The five certifying agencies that can process DBE applications within the Commonwealth are PHL, SEPTA, PennDOT, Allegheny County and Port Authority of Allegheny County. The DBE program ensures nondiscrimination in the award and management of DOT-assisted contracts in highway, transit, and airport financial assistance programs.

For more information about PA-UCP, visit click here.