Los Angeles World Airports today launched an online portal for vendors to apply for certifications that helps businesses owned by socially or economically disadvantaged people to compete for airport contracts.
“Los Angeles World Airports is firmly committed to breaking down barriers and enabling more disadvantaged businesses to participate in our massive transformation efforts,” said LAWA CEO Justin Erbacci.
“With our partners at Public Works-Bureau of Contract Administration, we are advancing the shared goal of ensuring that local and small disadvantaged businesses can more easily apply for certification and compete for business opportunities at LAX and Van Nuys Airport.”
People can use the portal, which was created in a partnership with the Los Angeles Public Works’ Department’s Bureau of Contract Administration, to apply for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certificate and the Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certificate.
The portal is expected to speed up the certification process by digitizing and storing documents online. Before its launch, certification officers reviewed paper copies of required documents and communication was mostly through telephone or email.
Vendors can now provide all paperwork online and communicate with the Bureau of Contract Administration and LAWA online. The portal also provides online training modules to applicants, including training on registering a vendor’s firm in the system. The portal also has a searchable database of certified firms.
“We are proud to partner with LAWA to launch this new online portal. It’s a shining example of the city’s efforts to create a more accessible and streamlined certification process for our business communities that need it the most,” said John L. Reamer Jr., director of the Bureau of Contract Administration.
“Many renowned Public Works projects have been designed and constructed by our disadvantaged business community, and this new system will help other similar businesses get certified and compete for contracts more quickly to continue this important work.” Access the portal at lacity.diversitysoftware.com.
