Pittsburgh Regional Transit's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise & Diverse Business Program (DBE/DB) creates a level playing field, removing barriers, certifying disadvantaged business enterprises, and assisting in the development of businesses like yours.


Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal for Federal Fiscal Year 2024-2026:  Public Notice

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 26, Pittsburgh Regional Transit hereby announces the following as its proposed overall DBE participation goal for Federal Fiscal Years 2024-2026 (October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026):   12.83%

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Pittsburgh Regional Transit spends millions of dollars each year on the purchase of parts, supplies and services in support of its daily operations. In addition, regular contracts are available for major construction projects, such as busway and light rail construction, as well as renovation and expansion of existing facilities.

As part of the Finance Division, Pittsburgh Regional Transit's Office of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise & Diverse Business (DBE/DB) Program is committed to creating opportunities for disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) and diverse businesses (DBs).

To benefit from the program, businesses must be certified as a DBE with the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PA UCP) or certified as a DB. Goals have been established in support of the program for federally funded projects.

What is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)?

A DBE is a for-profit small business in which socially and economically disadvantaged individuals:

  • Own at least 51% or more of the firm
  • Clearly control the management and daily business operations
  • Are a U.S. Citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident of the U.S.
  • Have a firm that meets the Small Business Administration’s size standard and does not exceed $30.72 million in gross annual receipts for DBE
  • Have a personal net worth no greater than $2.047 million (excluding primary residence & ownership interest in the DBE applicant firm)

Members of the following groups are presumed to be socially disadvantaged:

  • Women
  • Black Americans
  • Hispanic Americans
  • Native Americans
  • Asian-Pacific Americans
  • Subcontinent Asian Americans
  • Other groups deemed Disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration

What is a Diverse Business?

All firms that are certified as a DBE by the PA UCP are recognized as a DB. Other DBs include minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses and small businesses certified by one of the following third-party certifying organizations:

  • Women’s Business Enterprise Council
  • National Minority Supplier Development Council
  • United States Department of Veterans
  • United States Small Business Administration

DBE Certification

NOTICE: As of Monday, December 7, 2020, the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PA UCP) certification process is available at their website.

To ensure this program benefits only Disadvantaged Business Enterprises that are owned and whose management and daily operations are controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, all firms wishing to participate as DBEs for Port Authority contracts must be certified with the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PA UCP).

Port Authority of Allegheny County, Office of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise & Diverse Business (DBE/DB) is one of the five certifying agencies for the PA UCP that certified firms as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)/Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE).

All five certifying agencies within the PA UCP make all certification decisions in the Commonwealth with respect to participation in the DBE Program. Therefore, firms certified as DBE/ACDBE with the PA UCP are eligible to participate on any Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funded contracts as a DBE/ACDBE.

Benefits to Certification as a DBE:

  • Greater visibility to contractors and consultants looking to utilize DBE firms to meet goals on federally assisted transportation projects.
  • Access to free training and consulting services through the DBE Supportive Services Center.
  • DBE certification is recognized by many state, regional, and local diverse, minority, and women business programs.

Firms seeking to be certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise can do so online through our portal on the PA UCP website. 

Visit the PA UCP Portal 

Firms that prefer to submit a paper application can complete the forms below and mail them to the attention of Port Authority of Allegheny County, DBE Program Manager, 345 Sixth Avenue, 5th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

Download the PA UCP Certification Application

Download the Personal Net Worth Statement

If you have any questions about the certification process, please call 412-566-5257.


Bidder Registration

Please be advised that all firms wishing to do business with Port Authority must be registered in our e-Business system to receive bid documents or solicitation notices for publicly advertised and awarded contracts.

Register Here

View Current Bids and RFPs


Contact Us

Contact DBE

For more information, please view our DBE Policy.

View our DBE brochure.