Professional Declaration of Eligibility

The Professional Declaration of Eligibility (PDE) Program is an accelerated certification process that authorizes licensed attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs), and certifying agencies to attest that an applicant meets the requirements of the applicable certification program and that the application package does not contain any false information. Only professionals licensed by the State of Illinois for at least three years are eligible to submit PDE applications.

The following firms are not eligible to apply through the PDE program:

1. Applicants for DBE, ACDBE, VBE, and BEPD certification;
2. MBE or WBE applicants seeking certification in construction, as defined herein,

Applicants seeking certification as a supplier or distributor, as defined by the City of Chicago Policy Regarding MBE, WBE, VBE, and BEPD Certification as a Supplier, Distributor, and/or Broker;

1. Any firm that has been denied certification by the City in the previous three years;
2. Any firm that has withdrawn a certification application with the City within the previous three years; and
3. Any firm that has graduated from the City’s certification program within the previous three years.

For each application, the professional or certifying agency is required to submit a signed and dated Professional Declaration of Eligibility Statement in which it is required to attest, among other things, that the professional or certifying agency is eligible to participate in the PDE program and has no conflicts (such as a familial relationship with the owner of the firm or ownership interest); the professional or certifying agency understands the City’s certification rules and regulations; and that the applicant is eligible for certification based on the City’s certification rules and regulations.

The professional or certifying agency may be required to submit additional attestations in the Professional Declaration of Eligibility Statement as required by the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) PDE applications must not be submitted unless the applicant meets all requirements for certification and all necessary documentation demonstrating the applicant’s eligibility is provided to the City. If a PDE application is incomplete or additional information is needed, the City will review the application through the standard certification process.

All PDE applications are subject to audit by DPS to determine whether the firm is in compliance with the requirements for certification.

In the event DPS discovers errors or false statements in a PDE application, whether willful or non-willful, the professional submitting the PDE application may be subject to certain penalties including mandatory compliance sessions, requiring a Compliance Integrity Monitor to be retained, refund of any fees paid by the applicant, and loss of eligibility to submit applications through the program. DPS may also refer the professional to the Office of Inspector General and to the Department of Law for prosecution under the City’s false statements ordinance.