What has changed with the DBE and ACDBE Programs?
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) implemented an Interim Final Rule (IFR) on October 3, 2025, which introduced immediate and significant changes to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) programs nationwide.
Read more about the IFR from USDOT. Under this new rule, DBE and ACDBE certifications must now be based on individualized demonstrations of social and economic disadvantage, eliminating reliance on race- or sex-based presumptions. Currently certified DBE and ACDBE firms will be reevaluated under these new standards, and those that do not meet the criteria may be decertified.
Although no DBE or ACDBE goals will be assigned until the DBE/ACDBE reevaluation process is complete, please continue to reach out to prime contractors to express your interest in working on projects. Existing contracts are not expected to be impacted, but future bids (October 2025 and beyond) will reflect these updated requirements.
Does this mean my DBE/ACDBE certification is gone?
According to the USDOT IFR, DBE/ACDBE certification must be reevaluated under the new rules.
What should I do now?
You should apply for recertification when the recertification process becomes available beginning February 16. The first step is to opt-in or opt-out.
Opt-In | Opt-Out
If you would like your business to be included in the recertification process, be sure to
opt-in to submit your application for recertification.
If you would not like your business to be included in the recertification process, you may
opt-out of recertification. By opting out, this lets UCP staff know you are not interested in reevaluation. Some reasons you might choose the opt-out option include:
What if my firm does not plan to recertify?
If your firm does not plan on recertifying and submitting the required documents for any reason, please be sure to
opt-out of recertification. This enables staff to know you are not interested in DBE/ACDBE reevaluation.
What if I was originally certified in another state and my home state has already recertified my firm?
Wisconsin UCPs will only be recertifying its native DBE/ACDBE firms. If your firm is not Wisconsin-based, you must reach out to your home state certifier for more information. At this time, Wisconsin UCPs are not reviewing interstate applications until the priority window for reevaluation of Wisconsin firms is complete. We will post the date when we begin accepting Interstate applications.
How do I apply for recertification?
Apply for reevaluation of your firm's certification.
Do I need to provide a Personal Net Worth (PNW) Form?
To prove economic disadvantage, each business owner comprising 51% ownership must have a personal net worth less than $2,047,000. View the PNW form and instructions for details of items included and excluded for personal net worth, instructions and the PNW form.
What is a “personal narrative” and why does it matter?
The personal narrative (PN) is a required written statement in which you, as the business owner, explain the barriers you have faced in American society and how those barriers have caused you harm. Here are the
instructions for writing your PN.
How long will the reevaluation process take?
Wisconsin UCPs will be reviewing applications as quickly as practicable. Due to unknown circumstances such as length of personal narratives and number of applicants, we do not know how long reevaluation will take. We will keep you posted on where we are in the process. Continue to check our
DBE Program website.
Is there a timeline for when DBE firms will be recertified?
While there is no timeline, the first round of applications will be accepted February 16 through April 2, 2026, the 45-day priority submission window. We will continue to accept DBE/ACDBE applications after April 2.
How do I get my business back on the DBE Directory?
We expect to publish the Wisconsin UCP DBE/ACDBE Directory upon completion of the following milestones:
- WisDOT UCP review of all WisDOT DBE/ACDBE applications submitted during the 45-day priority submission window for reevaluation under the new IFR.
- Federal Highway Administration and USDOT approval of the WisDOT UCP reevaluation process.
- Establishment of a DBE/ACDBE attainment goal for UCP original certifying agencies (WisDOT, Milwaukee County, Dane County or City of Madison).
Once the above milestones are complete, we will update businesses on the status of their business on the DBE/ACDBE Directory.
Where do I submit the information requested for my application?
Please submit requested information or documents via the
reevaluation application portal beginning February 16.
How will I know if my firm has been recertified?
You will receive email notification of your firm's recertification status. Be sure to check your email regularly.
What’s the next step after my firm is approved?
WisDOT UCPs will need to reevaluate all DBE/ACDBE applications for recertification. Once the recertification process is complete, the following milestones will need to occur:
- WisDOT UCP review of all WisDOT DBE/ACDBE applications submitted during the 45-day priority submission window for reevaluation under the new IFR.
- Federal Highway Administration and USDOT approval of the WisDOT UCP reevaluation process.
- Establishment of a DBE/ACDBE attainment goal for UCP original certifying agencies (WisDOT, Milwaukee County, Dane County or City of Madison).
You will receive email notification of your firm’s recertification status. Be sure to check your email regularly.
What if my firm is denied?
If your business’s recertification application is denied, this means your business has been decertified as a WisDOT UCP DBE/ACDBE and will no longer be included on the WisDOT UCP DBE/ACDBE Directory when it is published. Upon request, your DBE/ACDBE certification status will be shared with UCPs in other states.
You may reapply for DBE/ACDBE certification six months from the date of your denial letter. A firm that is decertified during the reevaluation process may appeal the decertification decision directly to USDOT in accordance with the requirements of 49 CFR § 26.89.
If you wish to file an appeal, you must email the U.S. Department of Transportation at
DBE/ACDBEAppeals@dot.gov within 45 days of the date of this decision, including a narrative that explains fully and specifically why you believe the decision is in error, what outcome-determinative facts the certifier did not consider, and/or what Part 26 provisions the certifier misapplied. Include the certifier's name, date of the certifier’s decision and your contact information.
If you do not have access to email, you may send a letter to:
U.S. Department of Transportation
Departmental Office of Civil Rights
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programs Division
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590
Please contact your original UCP certifying agency (see below) with questions.
When the UCP reevaluation process is complete, will the same DBE/ACDBE goals be used?
DBE/ACDBE goals will need to be reestablished for each of the UCP partners and on each federally funded project. DBE/ACDBE goals will be set after the reevaluation process is complete.
Will DBE/ACDBE goals be set on upcoming federally funded contracts?
Until the reevaluation process is completed by the UCP, the IFR does not allow DBE/ACDBE goals to be set on upcoming federally funded contracts.
How do I contact my UCP agency?
Please contact your original UCP certifying agency (see below) with questions.
Upcoming events
These are the upcoming virtual vendor trainings to submit recertification applications.
What is the 45-day priority submission window?
Applications received during the 45-day priority submission window from February 16 through April 2, 2026, will be reviewed to be placed on the initial WisDOT UCP DBE/ACDBE Directory. Recertification applications received after April 2 will be reviewed and placed on the WisDOT UCP DBE/ACDBE Directory as businesses are recertified.
When is the 45-day priority submission window?
The 45-day priority submission window is from February 16 through April 2, 2026. Businesses that submit and are recertified during this period will be placed on the initial WisDOT UCP DBE/ACDBE Directory that is reestablished.