Small and Local Business Participation

• Office of Business Engagement (OBE) – For Department of Aviation contracts that contain U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) federal funding
• Information on certifications:
  • DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise)
    Certification standard is "socially and economically disadvantaged." It is not a race- or gender-restricted program by law.
  • ACDBE  (Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise)
    Same standard as DBE under 49 CFR Part 23, social and economic disadvantage, not race or gender, with the same individualized-determination structure.
  • Federal SBE (Small Business Enterprise)
    Based entirely on business size and revenue thresholds. No ownership demographic requirement, race, gender, and disadvantaged status play no role in SBE eligibility.
• Office of Business Impact and Economic Advancement City of Philadelphia – For all other contracts
  • Usually, to bid on a City contract you must be registered on either eContract Philly, PHLContracts, or both.
  • Local Business Entities (LBE) can qualify for Local Business Preference on contracts.