Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Office

Notice from Prime Contractor seeking DBE participants: please check this page regularly for new notices.

SEPTA is committed in our efforts to expand contracting opportunities for small, minority and woman-owned businesses (see our DBE Policy Statement in PDF). Our DBE Program Office provides technical assistance, training, and other resources for vendors looking to do business with us. Contact us at [email protected].

In accordance with the DBE regulations codified at 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 26 (49 CFR, Part 26), SEPTA developed its triennial DBE participation methodology and goal (PDF). The DBE goal established for Federal Fiscal Years 2021 through 2023 is 13 percent.

Read more about DBE certification

Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program

In accordance with 49 Code of Federal Regulations 26.39: Fostering Small Business Participation, SEPTA has amended its DBE Program Plan to include a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) element.

Firms wishing to participate as a SBE in SEPTA’s contracting activities must be at least 51-percent owned, managed and controlled by economically disadvantaged individual(s) (i.e., personal net worth must not exceed $1.32M).

The firm’s average annual gross receipts for three years must not exceed $28.48M, and the firm must also meet 5-year size standards associated with the applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes). Interested firms must complete a SBE Certification Application and submit it with the required supporting documentation.

For more information on the SBE Program, contact the DBE Program Office at (215) 580-7278.

Currently Certified Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PAUCP) DBEs: Your DBE status automatically qualifies you for participation in the SBE Program. Do not complete an SBE application.

Resources

Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program

Contractors looking for certified DBEs to participate on various projects can search the PA UCP database. DBEs can be searched by work description (i.e., services provided), business type (i.e., construction, engineering, etc.), and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code, among other criteria.