DBE Certification and Re-evaluation in Minnesota

What it's for

The Minnesota Unified Certification Program (MNUCP) certifies Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in Minnesota. Its three certifying partner agencies are the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), the Metropolitan Council and the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC). DBE certification lets a firm count toward DBE goals on USDOT-funded contracts. MNUCP also certifies ACDBEs (airport concession firms) under 49 CFR Part 23.

Where this state stands

• DOT's UCP status page lists Minnesota's re-evaluation as Complete (page last updated Oct 2, 2026).
• MNUCP started re-evaluations on Nov 3, 2025. Firms were encouraged to send their personal narrative and personal net worth statement during a priority window that ended Dec 5, 2025.
• MnDOT's bulletin of Aug 24, 2026 says MnDOT and its partners "have completed the priority reevaluation process."
• Firms that missed the priority window "are still eligible to complete their reevaluation," per MnDOT's Aug 18, 2026 bulletin. Submit through one of the three partner agencies.
• Recertified firms appear in the MNUCP directory, which MnDOT says is updated every two weeks.
• MNUCP has not published a narrative template, page limit or format rules on the pages reviewed.
• Federal deadline: a firm that still hasn't sent its narrative and net worth statement by Mar 24, 2027 gets a Notice of Decision disqualifying it (DOT final-rule FAQ, Q17 and Q22). Don't wait for that date.

Have this ready

• Personal narrative (PN) for each owner who makes up the 51% disadvantaged ownership. MNUCP says it must show disadvantage through "individualized proof regarding specific instances" of hardship and barriers. DOT says the PN is the owner's own statement, not something for consultants to write.
• Personal net worth (PNW) statement. MNUCP posts the form on its DBE Forms page.
• For new applicants: the online DBE application in the MNUCP DBE System.
• MNUCP lists a PNW cap of $2.047 million per owner and a 3-year average gross receipts cap of $32.82 million.

Steps

Already certified (re-evaluation):

1. Check whether you already submitted during the Nov 3 to Dec 5, 2025 priority window, and whether you got a decision.
2. If not, send your personal narrative and PNW statement to your certifying partner agency (MnDOT, Met Council or MAC). MnDOT's address for submissions is CivilRightsCertificationSubmissions.DOT@state.mn.us.
3. Answer any follow-up requests by the date given.
4. The UCP decides. Check the directory at https://mnucp.dbesystem.com/ to confirm your status.

New applicants:

1. Read the eligibility rules at https://mnucp.org/apply-for-certification/
2. Apply online at https://mnucp.dbesystem.com/ with a personal narrative for each majority owner.
3. A certification specialist reviews the file and schedules an on-site visit.
4. MNUCP votes and sends you its decision.

After you're certified

• File an ACDBE/DBE Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) every year on your certification anniversary. MNUCP posts the DOE form and cover letter on its DBE Forms page (https://mnucp.org/dbe-forms/). Federal rules require your latest gross receipts with it.
• Report changes to your certifying partner agency.
• Interstate certification: not addressed on the MNUCP pages reviewed.

Watch out for

• Not sending a re-evaluation or annual DOE can be treated as a failure to cooperate and can lead to removal.
• MnDOT's bulletin points to a recorded narrative workshop with a workbook, and to free one-on-one sessions through APEX Accelerator. MnDOT also lists supportive services through its Office of Civil Rights.
• MnDOT lowered its DBE goals for FFY 2025–2027 (FHWA 15.3% to 6.2%; FTA 8.7% to 2.8%), per its Aug 24, 2026 bulletin.
• Help from the UCP is free. You do not need to pay anyone to apply or to write your narrative.

What changed nationally, plus DOT's narrative and net worth checklists →

Sources

• www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2026-09/DBE_Final%20Rule_FAQs%2009-28-2026_0.pdf
• www.transportation.gov/UCPstatus
• www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-19688
• www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-A/part-26/subpart-E/section-26.83
• mnucp.org/
• mnucp.org/apply-for-certification/
• mnucp.org/dbe-forms/
• mnucp.org/about/contact-us/
• www.dot.state.mn.us/civilrights/updates.html
• content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNDOT/bulletins/42499fd
• content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNDOT/bulletins/4267848

FindMyBids isn't affiliated with USDOT or any certifying agency, and this isn't legal advice. Your state's UCP decides who qualifies. FindMyBids never writes personal narratives and never asks for your net worth figures.