DBE Certification and Re-evaluation in Nebraska

Where: No online portal published; NDOT accepts documents by email or mail
Cost: Not published on the NDOT pages reviewed
Re-evaluation: In progress (DOT UCP status page, last updated Oct 2, 2026). NDOT's re-evaluation guidelines set a completion date of Nov 13, 2026; applications after that date are accepted but reviewed 'as practicable.'
How long: UCP must decide within 90 days of receiving all required information; it may extend once by up to 30 days with written notice (49 CFR 26.83). NDOT says it 'will notify firms once recertification eligibility decisions are determined.'
Contact: NDOT Civil Rights Office - DBE: ndot.hcro-dbe@nebraska.gov, 402-479-4531; also ndot.civilrights@nebraska.gov. Mail: P.O. Box 94759, Lincoln, NE 68509-4759
Last checked: 2026-10-03

What it's for

The Nebraska Unified Certification Program (NUCP) certifies Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in Nebraska. The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is the sole certifying agency. Members include the Lincoln and Omaha airport authorities, Omaha Metro, Lincoln StarTran, the City of Grand Island and MAPA. DBE certification lets a firm count toward DBE goals on USDOT-funded contracts. NDOT also certifies ACDBEs (airport concession firms).

Where this state stands

DOT's UCP status page lists Nebraska's re-evaluation as In progress (page last updated Oct 2, 2026).
NDOT set up "a reevaluation process to review currently certified DBE/ACDBE firms." It says "the initial reevaluation process applies only to firms that were originally certified by NDOT."
NDOT's guidelines give Nov 13, 2026 as the end of its re-evaluation period. Applications after that date are still accepted but reviewed as practicable.
NDOT notes that DBE goals may not be set on USDOT-assisted contracts entered on or after Oct 3, 2025, until re-evaluations are complete.
Narrative format: NDOT has not published a page limit, font rule, template or notary requirement. It must show disadvantage by a "preponderance of the evidence." DOT says the PN is the owner's own statement, not something for consultants to write.
Federal rule: UCPs must finish by Dec 24, 2026 (one 3-month extension possible). Firms that don't respond get a final notice by Mar 24, 2027, then 90 days before disqualification.

Have this ready

Re-evaluation (NDOT-certified firms):

NDOT DBE/ACDBE Reevaluation Application (Word form on NDOT's site).
Personal narrative (PN) from the disadvantaged owner.
Current USDOT DBE/ACDBE Personal Net Worth (PNW) Statement.
Anything else NDOT asks for later.

New applicants:

The USDOT DBE/ACDBE Uniform Certification Application with its supporting documents.
Personal narrative and PNW statement.

Steps

Already certified (re-evaluation):

Download the Reevaluation Guidelines, Reevaluation Application and PNW Statement from https://dot.nebraska.gov/business-center/civil-rights/
Complete the application and PNW, and write your personal narrative.
Send them to NDOT. The guidelines did not state a submission method; NDOT's DBE email is ndot.hcro-dbe@nebraska.gov. Confirm the method with NDOT before sending.
Aim to submit before Nov 13, 2026.
Answer NDOT's follow-up requests "as quickly as practicable."
The UCP decides. NDOT will notify you of the decision.

New applicants:

Get the USDOT Uniform Certification Application from NDOT's Civil Rights page.
Gather supporting documents, your personal narrative and PNW statement.
Send to NDOT Civil Rights Office - DBE, P.O. Box 94759, Lincoln, NE 68509-4759, or email ndot.hcro-dbe@nebraska.gov (confirm which NDOT prefers).

After you're certified

Federal rules require a new Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) each year on your certification anniversary, with your latest gross receipts (49 CFR 26.83). NDOT's own annual steps are not published on the pages reviewed.
Report changes to NDOT's Civil Rights Office.
Interstate: send a cover letter saying you're applying for interstate certification, a list of the UCPs that certify you (marking the original), your original certification date, an image of your home UCP's directory listing, and a signed DOE. Email ndot.hcro-dbe@nebraska.gov or mail the Lincoln P.O. box.

Watch out for

NDOT says "failure to provide the requested information may result in action to remove the firm's DBE certification."
Firms first certified by another state go through that state's re-evaluation, not NDOT's initial one.
The NUCP agreement on NDOT's site dates from 2018; contacts in it may be out of date.
We could not open the Word re-evaluation form to check its instructions: couldn't verify.
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 →

Common questions

Where do I apply for DBE certification in Nebraska?

Nebraska Unified Certification Program (NUCP): https://dot.nebraska.gov/business-center/civil-rights/

Has Nebraska finished DBE re-evaluations?

In progress (DOT UCP status page, last updated Oct 2, 2026). NDOT's re-evaluation guidelines set a completion date of Nov 13, 2026; applications after that date are accepted but reviewed 'as practicable.'

How long does DBE certification take in Nebraska?

UCP must decide within 90 days of receiving all required information; it may extend once by up to 30 days with written notice (49 CFR 26.83). NDOT says it 'will notify firms once recertification eligibility decisions are determined.'

Sources

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.

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