Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program


METRO’s Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail Transit Project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Arizona history. The 20.3-mile light rail system will stretch from 19th Avenue and Bethany Home Road in Phoenix, through uptown and downtown Phoenix, past Sky Harbor Airport, across Tempe Town Lake, through downtown Tempe and end approximately one mile into Mesa.

Construction of the Project began in mid-2003 and is scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2008. To complete this extensive project, METRO will rely on the skills, materials, and supplies of a wide array of contractors and suppliers.

METRO is committed to encouraging socially and economically disadvantaged, minority, women and small businesses to participate in contracting opportunities. Through initiatives of both broad and targeted outreach, we are seeking to meet US Department of Transportation requirements for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation. METRO takes DBE participation into consideration throughout planning, design, and construction processes.

METRO DBE Program

METRO’s current DBE Program, including professional services contracts, operations and maintenance contracts, and the 20-mile construction program represents more than $115 million in DBE subcontracts. There are approximately 37 miles of potential future extensions representing approximately an additional $190 million in potential DBE subcontracts. Potentially, METRO’s total program could represent more than $300 million in DBE opportunity.

20-Mile Construction Program

  • Multi-year project goal 13.03%
  • Original projection $64,889,400.00
  • Commitments 13.91%
  • DBE Subcontract amounts listed at time of bid; $92,184,976.62
  • Current activity 14.42% (Subcontract values plus change orders); $97,200,298.29
  • Projected at project completion; $100,000,000+

37-Miles of Potential Extensions

$190,000,000 Potential DBE Participation

  • Engineering (civil, structural, traffic, etc.)
  • Environmental / Planning
  • Public Involvement / Information
  • Graphic Design
  • Construction Trades
  • Vendor Services
  • Printing/Reprographics
  • Maintenance
  • IT Services
  • Office & Construction Supplies

The Valley Metro Rail DBE Program is separate and distinct from the City of Phoenix minority/women/small business programs. The DBE program applies federal guidelines for assisting and encouraging qualified socially and economically disadvantaged businesses with contracting opportunities. To perform work as a DBE you must first obtain DBE certification through the Arizona UCP. Certified firms are added to the Arizona UCP DBE directory located at http://www.azdbe.com, which is available as public information to any interested party. General Contractors are encouraged to use this site as a resource in locating qualified DBEs.

The Arizona Unified Certification Program is a consortium of government agencies (Arizona Department of Transportation, the City of Phoenix, and the City of Tucson) organized to provide reciprocal DBE certification within Arizona pursuant to 49 CFR Part 26.

The Arizona Unified Certification Program maintains the official DBE database containing DBE firms certified by the consortium. The database can be accessed at the following website address: http://www.azdbe.com in addition to information and/or links regarding certification with any of the participating Arizona UCP agencies.

View contracting opportunities.

Brief overview of the METRO Light Rail Project

DBE Program Contact

Contracting opportunities are open to competitive bidding from all businesses. Eligible small businesses are encouraged to obtain DBE certification through the Arizona Unified Certification Program (AZ UCP).

For more information or assistance, contact:
METRO DBE Program Manager
Melissa Boyles

602-322-4421

Upcoming Activities

  • “Straight Talk” Workshop; a collaborative effort from METRO, the Arizona Department of Transportation, Hunt Construction, Turner Construction, & Maricopa County, Fall 2008 (Details Coming Soon)
  • Profiles in Diversity – METRO’s annual event to recognize the contributions of the DBE community to light rail’s success, Fall 2008 (Details Coming Soon)

Recent Events


Related Links


City Partner Business Assistance Links