The purpose of the UCP is to provide "one-stop shopping" to applicants for certification, such that an applicant is required to apply only once for a DBE certification that will be honored by all recipients in the state. In the past, a firm would be required to apply for certification as a DBE with each agency with which the firm wants to work.  Under UCP, the firm applies one time with the state transportation agency, and if approved, that certification is shared by all other federal recipients in the state.