DBE Certification and Re-evaluation in New Hampshire

What it's for

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT), through its Office of Federal Compliance (OFC), certifies Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in New Hampshire. DBE certification lets a firm count toward DBE goals on USDOT-funded contracts. NHDOT also certifies ACDBEs (airport concession firms). Other certifying members, if any, are not listed on the page reviewed.

Where this state stands

• DOT's UCP status page lists New Hampshire's re-evaluation as In progress (page last updated Oct 2, 2026).
• NHDOT's DBE page does not mention the Oct 2025 interim final rule, re-evaluation or personal narratives. It still describes eligibility by group membership, which the rule no longer presumes. Treat that section as out of date.
• NHDOT's "special attention" DBE notice and interstate page returned a 403 error: couldn't verify.
• State notice dates, narrative format, page limits and upload method: not published on the pages we could read. Ask NHDOT at dbecertifications@dot.nh.gov.
• Under the federal final rule, each DBE must submit a personal narrative (PN) and a personal net worth (PNW) statement. 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

• Personal narrative (PN) from each disadvantaged owner (federal requirement).
• Personal net worth (PNW) statement on the DOT form. NHDOT lists a $2,047,000 cap, not counting your ownership in the firm or primary residence equity.
• New applicants: a principal office in New Hampshire (out-of-state firms use interstate certification).
• NHDOT lists gross receipts limits of $30.72 million for DBEs and $56.42 million for ACDBEs.

Steps

Already certified (re-evaluation):

1. Watch your email for a re-evaluation request from NHDOT.
2. If you have not heard from NHDOT, email dbecertifications@dot.nh.gov or call (603) 271-8222 to ask what to send and how.
3. Send your PN and PNW statement as NHDOT directs.
4. Answer follow-up requests on time. NHDOT gives "seven (7) business days" for missing information on annual reviews.
5. The UCP decides.

New applicants:

1. Confirm current forms and the submission method with NHDOT (dbecertifications@dot.nh.gov).
2. Submit your application with a PN and PNW statement.
3. NHDOT acknowledges receipt within 30 days. If information is missing, you have 30 days to supply it (one 30-day extension).
4. NHDOT holds an in-person on-site visit for firms in transportation-related work.
5. Decision within 90 days of a complete application.

After you're certified

• Annual Affidavit of No Change (OAOC Form 32, rev. 08/30/2023): signed by each disadvantaged owner and notarized. Attach signed federal business tax returns with all schedules for the firm and affiliates (or Form 4868 if not yet filed), personal returns for sole proprietors, and any NAICS change request. Out-of-state firms attach current home-state certification. Send to DBEcertifications@dot.nh.gov or the Concord mailing address.
• Federal rules now call the annual filing a Declaration of Eligibility (DOE). Confirm with NHDOT whether Form 32 is still the form to use.
• NHDOT offers free limited business development and supportive services.

Watch out for

• If NHDOT sends an Intent to Remove notice, you have 30 days from the letter date to fix the issue.
• A decertified firm must wait one year from the decertification letter to reapply.
• NHDOT does not run a state WBE, MBE or MWBE certification.
• 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/UCPstatus
• www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-19688
• www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-A/part-26/subpart-E/section-26.83
• www.dot.nh.gov/doing-business-nhdot/office-federal-compliance/disadvantaged-business
• mm.nh.gov/files/uploads/dot/media-files/oaoc-form-32.pdf

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.