The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued an Interim Final Rule that immediately changes how all Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions DBE (ACDBE) certifications are evaluated.
This rule went into effect on October 3, 2025.
What’s Changing
- As of October 3, all DBE and ACDBE firms are effectively decertified.
- The prior race- and gender-based presumptions of disadvantage are no longer automatic.
- To remain in the program, every certified owner must submit:
- A Personal Narrative
- A current Personal Net Worth statement
The Personal Narrative should describe real barriers you’ve faced—such as limited access to financing, contracting opportunities, or systemic challenges—and how these have caused financial harm.
📋 What This Means for You
All currently certified DBE/ACDBE firms that submit the required documentation will be reevaluated under this new rule. Until reevaluations are complete, goal setting and several other program elements are suspended.
Your certifying agency will contact you with instructions for securely submitting the necessary documentation.
👉 Read the official DOT notice here:
U.S. DOT Interim Final Rule on DBE/ACDBE Certification – Federal Register
🧭 Getting Prepared
We understand these changes may feel overwhelming.
To assist our members, a group of industry experts has developed a free, optional online tool to help business owners draft their Personal Narrative:
www.writemynarrative.com
The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce will continue to monitor developments and share updates as further guidance becomes available from the U.S. DOT.We remain committed to ensuring our members are informed, supported, and prepared to navigate these regulatory changes successfully.
