Key Provisions:

• Certification Review: All DBE firms previously certified using race- or sex-based presumptions of social and economic disadvantage must be reevaluated by CRO to determine eligibility under the new standards established in the IFR.
• Personal Narrative Requirement: Certified DBE firms owned by an individual who was presumed to be disadvantaged (e.g., women, Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian Pacific American, Subcontinent Asian American), must now submit a personal narrative explaining their social and economic disadvantage, without regard to race or gender, and submit an updated personal net worth statement.
• The bidder’s list is still required, except for the race and gender reporting.

DBE Impact:

• The certifications for any DBE firm that previously qualified based on a presumed disadvantage will not be effective during the certification review period.
• DBE firms must submit a personal narrative and a personal net worth statement, which will be reviewed during the certification review period.
• This change does not impact prevailing wage, certified payroll, or prompt payment.

Official FAQs from the U.S. Department of Transportation:

• Effective 10/03/2025 – View FAQs #1
• Effective 12/01/2025 – View FAQs #2
• Effective 09/25/2026 – View FAQs #3 - Final Rule

From Alaska DOT&PF Civil Rights Office:

1. Are the details contained in the Personal Narrative shared with anyone?

The Personal Narrative is reviewed and maintained confidentially by the Alaska DOT&PF Civil Rights Office. The information provided therein is not disclosed to any individuals or entities mentioned in the narrative, nor to any other third parties. Access to the Personal Narrative is limited to Alaska DOT&PF Civil Rights Office staff involved in the recertification review process and, if necessary, U.S. Department of Transportation for audit and compliance oversight purposes only.

2. Will there be an Annual No Change Declaration Review?

During the reevaluation period we have paused on collecting annuals from all firms, and we are only collecting annuals from firms that have been recertified. Annual reviews will proceed as normal once the firm has been reevaluated or once the reevaluation periods ends. If we need annual review documents, we will ask for it at the time of recertification on a case-by-case basis. Once the firm is recertified, the annual date will remain the same and our process of emailing annual documents will continue.

The Alaska DOT&PF, Civil Rights Office has taken the following actions:

• 09/30/2025: USDOT notified all UCPs that changes were being issued to the programs.
• 10/03/2025: USDOT released the new changes to the DBE/ACDBE programs.
• 10/03/2025: USDOT issued FAQ Guide #1
• 10/06/2025: Alaska DOT&PF CRO submitted necessary changes for Standard Specifications (Special Provisions)
• 10/08/2025: CRO notified DBE/ACDBE Firms
• 11/10/2025: Interstate DBE/ACDBE firms were decertified.
• 11/12/2025: Sent out survey to DBE/ACDBE firms seeking input on IFR response.
• 12/01/2025: USDOT issued FAQ Guide #2
• 12/23/2025: CRO sent out information on reevaluation.
• 01/05/2026: CRO created a new page on the website.
• 01/20/2026: Hosted Training #1 on Personal Narratives
• 01/28/2026: Hosted Training #2 on Personal Narratives
• 03/03/2026: Hosted Training #3 during annual CRO Conference
• 05/21/2026: Partnered with Alaska APEX Accelerator to help firms with Personal Narratives
• 09/25/2026: USDOT issued Final Rule

What's Next?

The CRO will be focusing on the following from October 2026 into the new year:

• CRO will be reviewing the USDOT Final Rule and complying where needed.
• The CRO hopes to finalize the DBE/ACDBE Recertification Process.
• New DBE/ACDBE Program Plans will be submitted to USDOT
• New goals for FHWA, FAA and FTA will be established

1. Firm Is Notified: The firm receives a notice explaining that recertification is required and what documents must be submitted.
2. Identify Who Must Submit Documents: Any owner who controls 51% or more of the business must submit the required materials.
3. Complete the Personal Narrative (PN): Each required owner writes a PN describing experiences of social and economic disadvantage in education, employment, or business.
1. The narrative must explain:
   • What happened
   • When and where it happened
   • Who was involved
   • How it caused economic harm or limited opportunities
   • Why the owner is disadvantaged compared to others in similar situations.

4. Complete the Personal Net Worth Statement (PNW): Each required owner completes the official PNW Statement and includes the required supporting documents.
5. Submit All Documents: The firm submits the PN, PNW Statement, and supporting documents to the certification office by the stated deadline.
6. Review by Certification Office: The certification office reviews the materials to determine whether the firm qualifies for continued DBE/ACDBE certification.
7. Receive Decision:
1. The firm is notified of the decision:
   • If approved, the firm is recertified under these new standards .
   • If the documents are not submitted by the deadline, the firm remains ineligible.

• IFR Reevaluation Checklist

• Personal Net Worth (PNW) Statement
• Personal Narrative (PN) Instructions and Worksheet

In 2026, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (Alaska DOT&PF) funding for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Support Services (DBE/SS). With the recent Interim Final Rule (IFR) in effect as of October 3, Alaska DOT&PF will provide DBE firms with a one-time $2,000 reimbursement for qualified services after the firm has been successfully recertified in the Alaska DOT&PF Unified Certification Program (UCP).

Authority:

• 23 CFR 230: Subpart B – Support Services for Minority, Disadvantaged, and Women Business Enterprises

Approval of application is contingent upon:

1. Recertification as a DBE
2. Submission of a completed application with supporting documents.
3. Firms active in the bidding process.

Who qualifies?

Recertified DBE firms (including employees, owners, or on-site representatives) actively bidding on Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) funded projects or registered on the Bidders Registration are eligible. Only certified DBEs with Alaska as their home base certification can participate in this one-time DBE Reimbursement Program. DBE firms certified in states other than Alaska are not eligible.

Reimbursement Period for 2026:

• The reimbursement period spans from January 20, 2026, to December 31st, 2026.

Reimbursement Limit:

• The maximum reimbursement per qualifying DBE firm is $2,000.00.

Forms:

• 2026 DBE Reimbursement Program - Instructions
• 2026 DBE Reimbursement Program - Form

For DBE/ACDBE firms that were certified in the AUCP prior to October 3, 2025; and were decertified in November 2025 to comply with the IFR; and have been recertified by their Jurisdiction of Original Certification (JOC) under the requirements of the IFR; the AUCP has retained the files for these firms; and will recertify these Interstate firms if they provide clear evidence, such as a letter, that their JOC has recertified them. The AUCP will reach out to recertified Interstate firms if we need annual review or other information on a case-by-case basis.

Interstate DBE/ACDBE firms wishing to recertify in Alaska, will need to contact DOT.CRO.DBECerts@alaska.gov.

Our office has partnered with Alaska APEX Accelerator (formerly known as PTAC) to bring you free hands-on support for crafting a strong and effective Personal Narrative (PN). This is a great opportunity to get expert guidance, build a clear and compelling story, and feel confident submitting your PN as part of the recertification process.

To get started with working with Alaska APEX Accelerator, you will need to do the following:

1. Register as a client using this link: https://akapex.ecenterdirect.com/signup. This is required and free.

   1. If you need help registering, you can contact Lynda Gregory at lmgregory@alaska.edu or 907-786-7258.

2. Once registered, you can schedule time with Jody here: https://calendly.com/jlking8-alaska/zoom-meeting

Optional Training #2:

• When: Wednesday, 01/28/2026
• Copy of Presentation
• Copy of Recording
• Passcode: &@9FSJ+w   Copy Passcode

Optional Training #1:

• When: Tuesday, 01/20/2026
• Copy of Presentation
• Copy of Recording
• Passcode: 22$5$V#V   Copy Passcode

• CREO Monthly Webinar: DBE Interim Final Rule – October 2025
• Summary of the comments section: DBE/ACDBE Interim Final Rule
• 5 Tips for the Personal Narrative & Update re cecertification of All DBES and ACDBEs
• Successes, challenges and DBE perspectives in responding to the IFR
• DBE and ACDBE Experiences with IFR Recertification
• USDOT October 3 IFR: It's Time to Act
• What Agencies Need to Do Now to Respond to USDOT October 3 IFR