DBE Certification and Re-evaluation in South Carolina

What it's for

The South Carolina Unified Certification Program (SCUCP) certifies Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in South Carolina. Under the 2026 UCP agreement, "SCDOT will make all DBE, ACDBE and SBE certification decisions on behalf of all Program Partners in the State of South Carolina." DBE certification lets a firm count toward DBE goals on USDOT-funded contracts. SCUCP also certifies ACDBE (airport concession) firms, under the same re-evaluation rules.

Where this state stands

• DOT's UCP status page shows South Carolina's re-evaluation as not complete (page last updated Oct 2, 2026).
• SCDOT says "All firms will temporarily lose DBE/ACDBE certifications until the reevaluation process is complete."
• SCUCP's Q&A (January 2026) asked firms to submit "before or by June 1, 2026." Firms that submit later "remain ineligible for the DBE Program" until they send the documents.
• Narrative format: use SCUCP's "Social and Economic Disadvantage Personal Narrative (PN) Guide and Form." It has set sections (general information, the narrative, submission options, and an acknowledgement and certification statement). The narrative covers up to three areas (education, employment, business); enter "N/A" for any that don't apply. No page limit or font rule is published.
• One PN form per disadvantaged owner, covering at least 51% ownership. The form applies only to firms whose original certifying state is South Carolina.
• SCDOT notifies firms of decisions by email notice letter.
• 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.
• DOT says the PN "is a statement of the owner's own experiences, not a technical or legally complex document to be written by consultants or legal experts."

Have this ready

As listed in SCUCP's guide and form packet:

• The SCUCP PN form, completed by each disadvantaged owner.
• The USDOT Personal Net Worth (PNW) statement (included in the packet).
• Supporting evidence for what the narrative describes. SCUCP lists examples such as loan denials, job rejection letters, records of pay differences, tax documents and bank statements.

Steps

Already certified (re-evaluation, SC-based firms):

1. Download SCUCP's PN Guide and Form packet from SCDOT's DBE certification page.
2. Complete the PN form and PNW statement for each disadvantaged owner. Sign the certification statement.
3. Email the packet to DBECertification@scdot.gov (preferred), or mail it to SCDOT DBE Office - Certification, 955 Park Street, Suite 117, Columbia, SC 29201.
4. Watch for a completeness check or request for information. You have 5 business days to reply.
5. SCUCP aims to decide within 45 calendar days of a complete packet. The UCP decides. Watch for an email notice letter.

New applicants:

1. SCDOT's page says new applications "will be accepted after completing the reevaluation process and once USDOT has updated the Uniform Certification Application."
2. The federal final rule says UCPs must keep processing new applications during re-evaluation. Email DBECertification@scdot.gov to ask about current intake.
3. Out-of-state firms: get re-evaluated by your home state first, then apply to SCUCP when interstate requests reopen.

After you're certified

• Your annual update date stays your original certification anniversary. SCUCP gave a grace period for anniversaries between Oct 3, 2025 and your re-certification notice. Federal rules call this the Declaration of Eligibility (DOE), due with your latest gross receipts (49 CFR 26.83).
• Report material changes within 30 days, with a signed DOE (49 CFR 26.83).
• Missing annual updates can lead to suspension or decertification, per SCUCP.

Watch out for

• Answer SCUCP's requests within 5 business days.
• Decertified firms get notice of a 45-calendar-day appeal to USDOT and must wait 12 months to reapply, per SCDOT.
• Firms that don't want to continue can send a written withdrawal.
• Help from the UCP is free.

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
• www.scdot.org/business/bus-development-dbe-certification.html
• www.scdot.org/content/dam/scdot-legacy/business/pdf/0B%20-%20COMPLETE%20GUIDEFORMS%
• www.scdot.org/content/dam/scdot-legacy/business/pdf/0B%20-%20COMPLETE%20GUIDEFORMS%
• www.scdot.org/content/dam/scdot-legacy/business/pdf/2026-UCP-Agreement-02-12-26.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.