Notice to All DBE Firms:
Due to the recent Interim Final Rule (IFR) issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, effective October 3, 2025, our office is temporarily pausing all DBE/ACDBE processing activities until further notice. The pause is necessary pursuant to 49 CFR §26.111, each Unified Certification Program (UCP) must immediately begin the reevaluation process of all currently certified firms to ensure compliance with the new certification standards.
This pause includes:
- • Annual Declarations of Eligibility (DOE)
- • Three-year reviews
- • Change requests
- • New In-State applications
- • Interstate applications
Reevaluation Requirement for All DBE Firms
- • Under the IFR, every UCP is required to reevaluate all firms they originally certified to ensure each firm continues to meet the DBE eligibility requirements. This includes submitting both a Personal Narrative and an updated Personal Net Worth (PNW) statement with any other financial information the owner considers relevant.
- ○ This applies to every currently certified DBE
- ○ This is designed to ensure consistency with updated federal standards
- • If your firm’s Jurisdiction of Original Certification (JOC) is Kentucky, you are required to submit a Personal Narrative and Personal Net Worth Statement. The certification anniversary of a DBE recertified under the reevaluation process at 49 CFR § 26.111 will continue to be the date of the DBE’s original certification under the DBE certification standards issued prior to October 3, 2025.
- • If your firm's JOC is not Kentucky, you will need to be reevaluated with your JOC first, then apply through Interstate Certification if you want to be certified in Kentucky.
Due to the new IFR changes issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, all former DBEs must complete a full reevaluation. This includes submitting both a Personal Narrative and an updated Personal Net Worth (PNW) statement. Please inform our office (kytc.ocrsbd@ky.gov) if you do not intend to submit a personal narrative and personal net worth statement. If you wish to formally withdraw your application from the DBE Program, please submit the official Withdrawal Form.
Access to IFR and FAQs
We Are Here to Support You
Our office understands that this transition period may bring questions, and we are committed to supporting you throughout this process. We will continue to share updates, guidance, and resources to help every certified firm navigate the reevaluation process smoothly and without disruption to their business. Additionally, our supportive services CEI will also be available to assist firms, so please be on the lookout for additional updates or communications from them.
For questions about this reevaluation process, please contact our office at 502-564-3601.
