Supplier Diversity Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How can being certified with The Port Authority of NY and NJ help my firm?
  2. How long does it take to become certified?
  3. I am certified with another agency; how can I get certified with Port Authority?
  4. Is there reciprocity with other agencies?
  5. Does registering my company on the Port Authority's Procurement database mean I'm certified?
  6. My firm is registered with Port Authority Procurement, but when I checked my M/WBE status, it was not listed. Why?My firm is registered with Port Authority Procurement, but when I checked my M/WBE status, it was not listed. Why?
  7. Is there a fee for applying for certification?
  8. If an M/WBE firm is denied or closed, when can the firm reapply for certification?
  9. Can firms not based in New York or New Jersey become certified as M/WBE or SBE with the Port Authority?
  10. I’m DBE certified with NJ Transit, am I DBE certified with the Port Authority?
  11. I’m DBE certified with the NYS DOT, am I certified with the Port Authority?
  12. What is price preference?

Supplier Diversity

1. How can being certified with The Port Authority of NY and NJ help my firm?

Being certified with the Port Authority will enable you to benefit from the Set-Aside, Subcontracting Opportunities and Price Preference programs.

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2. How long does it take to become certified?

Approximately 90 days after the receipt of a complete application with all required supporting documents.

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3. I am certified with another agency; how can I get certified with Port Authority?

If your firm has been certified within one year with a New Jersey State (including NJ Transit) and/or New York State agency through a Uniform Certification application, submit a copy of the application with all supporting documents. The Port Authority will make a determination based on eligibility.

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4. Is there reciprocity with other agencies?

There is no reciprocity with other agencies for the M/WBE programs.

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5. Does registering my company on the Port Authority's Procurement database mean I'm certified?

No. Registration and certification are two separate processes.

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6. My firm is registered with Port Authority Procurement, but when I checked my M/WBE status, it was not listed. Why?

Your firm must be certified by the Office of Business and Job Opportunity as an MBE, WBE or SBE to show such status.

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7. Is there a fee for applying for certification?

Not at this time.

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8. If an M/WBE firm is denied or closed, when can the firm reapply for certification?

A firm that is "denied" must wait for two years before reapplying. A firm that is "closed' must wait one year before reapplying.

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9. Can firms not based in New York or New Jersey become certified as M/WBE or SBE with the Port Authority?

Out-of-state applicant firms must meet the following requirements:

  1. An M/WBE firm must be certified in its state and/or at its principal place of location.
  2. A prime contractor can become certified if it has a history of doing business in either New Jersey or New York.
  3. A subcontractor can become certified if it has an opportunity to perform subcontracting work on a Port Authority contract.

An SBE firm must have its principal place of business in New York or New Jersey

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10. I’m DBE certified with NJ Transit, am I DBE certified with the Port Authority?

Yes, this is the only certification where there is reciprocity among the DBE certifying agencies in each state. Federal regulations required each state to establish a Unified Certification Program (UCP). The purpose of a UCP is to ensure that DBEs and applicants (including airport concessionaires) have “one stop shopping” on certification matters with respect to every recipient in the state. Your DBE certificate has the logos of the agencies with whom you are DBE certified. You can access the New Jersey Unified Certification Program Web site at www.nysucp.net. NJ DBE partners are: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NJ Transit and NJ Department of Transportation

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11. I’m DBE certified with the NYS DOT, am I certified with the Port Authority?

Yes, this is the only certification where there is reciprocity among the DBE certifying agencies in each state. Federal regulations required each state to establish a Unified Certification Program (UCP). The purpose of a UCP is to ensure that DBEs and applicants (including airport concessionaires) have “one stop shopping” on certification matters with respect to every recipient in the state. You can access the New York State Unified Certification Program Website at www.nysucp.net. NY DBE partners are: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, New York State Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Transit Authority and Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.

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12. What is price preference?

On selected bid contracts for commodity and operations services, a price preference may be offered to Port Authority certified MBE/WBE/SBEs. On those bids, MBE/WBE/SBEs may be awarded the purchase order even though their price exceeds the lowest bid by up to 10 percent for MBE/WBEs, or 5 percent for SBEs.

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