Recent Changes to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE and ACDBE) Programs
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 3, 2025
The United States Department of Transportation issued an interim final rule (IFR) that amends the Federal Regulations that govern the DBE and ACDBE Programs. These amendments change the definition of “socially and economically disadvantaged individual” to remove the race- and sex- based presumptions. The new regulations will require small business concerns to demonstrate social and economic disadvantage based on their own experiences and circumstances without reliance in whole or in part on race or sex.
SCDOT is required to reevaluate all currently certified DBE/ACDBE firms, to recertify those that meet the new certification standards, and to decertify any firm that does not meet the new certification standards. All firms will temporarily lose DBE/ACDBE certifications until the reevaluation process is complete. The decertification procedures found at 49 C.F.R. § 26.87 do not apply to any decertification decisions under this process. Here’s the official guidance: Guidance.10-03-2025.pdf
Detailed information regarding SCDOT’s reevaluation process and other certification-related updates can be found on this page.
REEVALUATION PROCESS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA BASED FIRMS
The SCUCP is now accepting documents for firms based in South Carolina to reevaluate DBEs certified prior to the Interim Final Rule (IFR) issued on October 3, 2025.
All reevaluation documents should be submitted on or before Monday, June 1, 2026.
INTERSTATE CERTIFICATION
DBE firms located outside of the state of South Carolina must be reevaluated by their original jurisdiction of certification (JOC) or home state. Once recertified by your original JOC, you must reapply for interstate certification if you wish to be certified in the SCUCP. SCUCP will begin accepting Interstate Certification requests after completing the reevaluation process. The anticipated timeframe for accepting Interstate Certification requests is Monday, July 20, 2026. The interstate certification process will be posted by the scheduled timeline. Please refrain from sending interstate certification requests until after this established date.
SCUCP’S REEVALUATION PROCESS
Step 1 – Initial Submittals
- Complete Personal Narratives and Personal Net Worth Statement Packet
- Submit the PN and PNW Statement packet with supporting documentation
- Use SCUCP’s fillable form
- Submit via the following methods:
- Email: DBECertification@scdot.gov (preferred) OR
- Mail: South Carolina Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Office – Certification 955 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Social and Economic Disadvantage Personal Narrative (PN) Guide and Form
Step 2 – Reevaluation Process
- PN and PNW packets reviewed for completeness
- Firms will be notified via email for incomplete submittals
- Reply due within 5 business days
- Failure to comply will result in the reevaluation being closed
- Complete submittals will be reviewed
- Request for Information (RFI) issued for additional information
- Reply due within 5 business days
- Failure to comply will result in the reevaluation being closed
- Firms will be notified via email for incomplete submittals
- The reevaluation process can take up to 45 calendar days upon receipt of completed packets for a recertification decision
Step 3 – Notify Applicant of Recertification Determination
- Issue notice of reevaluation status
- Recertified
- Notice of recertification letter sent via email
- Email will include Annual Update information for firms whose anniversary date occurred after the IFR was issued through their recertification
- Decertified
- Notice of decertification letter will include the option to appeal to USDOT within 45 calendar days of the date of the decision letter
- If decertified, applicant must wait 12 months to reapply submitting a new Uniform for Certification application
- Recertified
Step 4 – Online Directory
- The SCUCP’s online directory will be posted on the website beginning Monday, July 20, 2026, once reevaluations are complete.
IMPORTANT UPDATES:
- If you do not plan to recertify, please send a written withdrawal on or before Monday, June 1, 2026, via either of the following methods:
- Email: DBECertification@scdot.gov (preferred) OR
- Mail: South Carolina Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Office – Certification 955 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201
- For additional information regarding the reevaluation process, please refer to the DBE Reevaluation Process Question and Answers posted on this website.
South Carolina Unified Certification Program Disadvantaged Buisness Enterprise Reevaluation Process Question and Answers
NEW DBE APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATION
- New DBE applications for certification will be accepted after completing the reevaluation process and once USDOT has updated the Uniform Certification Application.
We appreciate your continued support, patience and interest in the DBE program. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or require assistance via email at DBECertification@scdot.gov or via phone at 803-737-1372.