business opportunities, giving consideration to the size and scope of each contract, to determine if a set-aside is warranted and, if so, to establish the set aside percentage.

2. Unbundling: The SMAA, where feasible, may “unbundle” projects or separate large contracts into smaller contracts which may be more suitable for small business participation. The Sr.VP Engineering and DBELO will review each FAA-assisted construction and consulting contract to determine whether portions of the project should be “unbundled” or bid separately. Similarly, the SMAA will encourage its prime contractors and consultants to unbundle contracts to facilitate participation by small businesses.

Certification and Verification Procedures

SMAA will accept the following certifications as documentation of eligibility for participation in the small business element of SMAA's DBE Program:

1. Florida Department of Transportation UCP Certification as a DBE – Since a requirement of DBE certification is that a business meet the criteria defining a small business, all DBEs are, by definition, also small businesses.
2. SBA 8(a) Business Development Certification

Businesses not possessing one of the certifications listed above will be required to document their status as a “small business” pursuant to the definition included in this section in order to participate in the small business element of SMAA’s DBE program. Documentation, which can be submitted following the award of the prime or subcontract, will be submitted to and reviewed by the DBELO.

Assurances

SMAA makes the following assurances concerning its DBE program, including this small business element:

1. The DBE Program, including its small business element, is not prohibited by state law;
2. Certified DBEs that meet the size criteria established under the DBE Program are presumptively eligible to participate in the small business element of the DBE Program;
3. There are no geographic or local preferences or limitations imposed on FAA-assisted contracts and the DBE Program is open to small businesses regardless of their location;
4. There are no limits on the number of contracts awarded to firms participating in the DBE Program;
5. Reasonable effort will be made to avoid creating barriers to the use of new, emerging, or untried businesses; and
6. Aggressive steps will be taken to encourage those minority and women owned firms participating in the small business element of the DBE Program that are eligible for DBE certification to become certified.