On October 3, 2025, the USDOT issued an Interim Final Rule regarding the DBE program. It essentially removed the race and gender-based presumptions and required a firms wishing to remain certified to submit a personal narrative showing social disadvantage and a new personal net woth statement demonstrating economic disadvantage. Although a hard deadline for the re-submission is technically not permitted under the guidance issued by USDOT, the NY and NJ certifying agencies have asked DBE who wish to remain in the program to submit by February 12, 2026. This date has been recently extended to March 20, 2026.

On February 23, 2026, the New Jersey Unified Certification Program and New York State Certification Program Partners held webinars to help firms understand what was required for the DBE and ACDBE Reevaluation. Based on feedback received at the webinars the certification agencies recognized that firms would appreciate more guidance on completing the supporting documentation. The certification agencies prepared three documents to assist firms with the re-application process: (1) 02-23-2026 NYSUCP FAQs from 01-26-2026 and 01-28-2026 Webinars, (2) NYSUCP PNW How to Guide 2-23-2026 and (3) 02-23-2026 NJUCP FAQs for DBE and ACDBE Firms – 01-23-2026 Webinar.Please reach out to me if you would like copies of these guidance documents.

On March 4, 2026 and March 5, 2026 the NYUCPs are holding separate webinars. March 4, 2026 is a webinar on the Personal Narrative and March 5, 2026 will be on the Personal Net Worth Statement. Here is a link to the registration page, https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/UWA6Cee/WorkSmartNYWebinars?source_id=e48a1448-a009-47dc-a3ff-7d54589ca858&source_type=em&c=i8ug5YbWtonHPu4UOqZaQRdWQ65DiRagv7Tede3F18Ae8a5F3u0jwQ==.

Below is a list of organizations identified by the NJUCP and NYUCP as resources to support your firm during the DBE reevaluation process. They can provide tools and guidance to help you prepare the required PN. They may also offer additional support in other parts of the DBE certification process, if needed.

1. New Jersey Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC)
   Contact Person: Sheila Harris-Adams, Regional Director
   Phone: (973) 353-1927
   Email: sbdc@njcu.edu
   Request Form: eRFC (electronic Request for Counseling) form
   Website: About – NJSBDC
   
   All firms must complete an eRFC (electronic Request for Counseling) form before receiving any consulting services. Once registered, they may request a virtual appointment or to be connected with their local Regional Center for in-person support. 21 NJSBDC regional centers are available throughout NJ.
2. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Manhattan Center
   Contact Person: Roxanne Neilson, Managing Director
   Phone: (718) 766-8156 & (718) 624-9115
   Email: mbda@bocnet.org
   Website: https://www.mbda.gov
3. New York Small Business Development Centers (NYSBDC)
   To find your local business center, visit the following website:
   Regional Centers | New York Small Business Development Centers
   20 NYSBDC regional centers are available throughout NY.
4. UPDATED INFO! Apex Accelerator at LaGuardia Community College, City University of NY
   Contact Person: Richard Mullings
   Phone: (718) 482-5306
   Direct Phone: 718-482-5323 & 347-925-4286
   Email: APEX@lagcc.cuny.edu; rmullings@lagcc.cuny.edu
   Website: LaGuardia APEX Accelerator – LaGuardia Community College
   Services Queens and NYC
5. The Enterprise Center
   Contact Person: Victoria Hosendorf, Executive Vice President
   Phone: (856) 403-4620
   Email: vhosendorf@theenterprisecenter.com
   Website: Homepage | The Enterprise Center
6. Regional Alliance for Small Contractors
   Contact Person: Zenaida Rodriguez, MPPA, Executive Director
   Phone: (212) 268-2991 or (212) 268-7446
   Email: zrodriguez@regional-alliance.org
   Website: www.regional-alliance.org
7. NEW! New York Small Business Development Center at York College, City University of NY
   Contact Person: Harry Wells
   Phone: (718) 262-2880 or (718) 262-3873
   Email: sbdc@york.cuny.edu; hwells@york.cuny.edu
   Website: https://www.york.cuny.edu/sbdc
8. NEW! NYC Department of Small Business Services APEX Accelerator
   Contact Person: Rogina Coar-Smith, Executive Director
   Phone: 212-513-6444
   Email: APEXAccelerator@sbs.nyc.gov
   Make an Appointment: NYC SBS APEX Accelerator Using the “red” appointment link at the bottom of the page, to send a direct message along with contact information for follow up.
   This page also lists additional services provided.