Business opportunities
MBE & WBE
The Authority sets participation goals for every contract and only counts firms certified by a body it names. Self-certifying is not one of the paths.
The Authority’s adopted goals
25%
Of contract value, to Minority Business Enterprises
10%
Of contract value, to Women Business Enterprises
Every bidder and proposer has to show a diligent good-faith effort to meet both goals, reviewed by the Equal Opportunity Review Commission of Pittsburgh.
Who counts as certified
“Minority Business Enterprise” and “Women Business Enterprise” mean businesses certified as such, not businesses that say so themselves.
- Certified through the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PAUCP), available through Business Equity and Inclusion of Allegheny County or the Office of Small Business Engagement at Pittsburgh Regional Transit.
- Certified through WBENC or NMSDC. The Authority accepts both of these certifications as well.
- Certified for the specific type of work the firm will perform on this contract, and current for as long as the firm is doing that work.
What counts toward the goal
- Direct contract
- If the prime contractor itself is an MBE or WBE and performs at least 50 percent of the work, the full contract amount counts.
- Subcontract
- Work subcontracted to an MBE or WBE counts for the full amount of that subcontract.
- Supplies
- Materials bought from an MBE or WBE count for 2 percent of the purchase order, or 60 percent if the supplier is acting as a full-service supplier.
What a certified firm does, in order
- Get certified through PAUCP, WBENC, or NMSDC before bidding, if not certified already.
- Confirm the certification specifically covers the type of work the SEA contract calls for.
- When bidding or proposing, show the Authority how the firm meets the 25 percent MBE and 10 percent WBE goals, as the prime contractor, a subcontractor, or a supplier.
- Keep the certification current for as long as the firm is doing the work.
Questions go to Michael Halpern, Procurement & MWBE Specialist: procurement@pgh-sea.com, 412-393-7106.
- See every open opportunity to find work worth bidding on.
- Join the vendor list to hear about new postings by email.