On September 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced changes to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program that will directly affect DBEs. The new interim final rule, which became effective October 3, 2025, removes race- and sex-based presumptions of disadvantage and requires all DBE firms to undergo recertification.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is working on developing a DBE recertification process. Until recertification is complete, WisDOT and other Wisconsin DBE-certifying agencies may not set DBE goals for new contracts or count DBE participation toward existing goals. Existing contracts are not expected to be impacted, but future bids (October 2025 and beyond) will reflect these updated requirements.
Although no DBE goals will be assigned until the DBE recertification process is complete, DBEs can reach out to prime contractors to express interest in working on projects.