DBE Certification and Re-evaluation in Texas

What it's for

The Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) certifies Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) and Airport Concession DBEs (ACDBEs) in Texas. Six agencies certify for the TUCP: TxDOT, the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity, the City of Austin Small and Minority Business Resources Department, Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority, the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, and the South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency. Certification lets a firm count toward DBE goals on USDOT-funded contracts, and ACDBE certification does the same for airport concessions.

Where this state stands

• DOT's UCP status page lists Texas re-evaluation as not complete (In progress) as of its Oct 2, 2026 update.
• TxDOT extended the re-evaluation document deadline to May 31, 2026. A later TxDOT update says the document deadline has concluded and review work is moving back to the certification partners.
• Firms certified on Oct 3, 2025 that have not sent documents "may still submit" to their certification agency. TxDOT "strongly encourage[s]" them to do so promptly.
• TxDOT says all firms are delisted during re-evaluation. Only firms that meet the new rules are reinstated.
• The narrative uses Texas Form CIV-PN (English and Spanish versions). It has sections for background, social disadvantage (education, employment, business history, other experiences) and economic disadvantage. You may "attach additional sheets for any section." No page limit is published. The owner signs it.
• Under the federal final rule (published Sep 25, 2026), UCPs must finish re-evaluations within 90 days (by Dec 24, 2026), with one possible 90-day DOT extension. Firms that haven't submitted by Mar 24, 2027 are disqualified (DOT final-rule FAQ, Q17 and Q22).

Have this ready

• Form CIV-PN (Personal Narrative), signed by the owner, with supporting documents.
• Personal Net Worth (PNW) statement, plus the documents on TxDOT's PNW documentation list.
• Your complete, most recently filed personal tax return, with all schedules and W-2s.
• A current personal bank statement. TxDOT says the most common problem is weak PNW documentation: "All personal bank accounts must be disclosed with supporting documentation."
• New applicants also need the federal Uniform Certification Application (UCA) and its supporting documents.

Steps

Already certified (re-evaluation):

1. Download Form CIV-PN and the PNW documentation list from TxDOT's IFR update page.
2. Write and sign your own narrative on Form CIV-PN. The UCP decides if you qualify.
3. Gather your PNW statement, full tax return and bank statement.
4. Upload everything through your own certification agency's portal. For TxDOT, that is the DMS portal at https://txdot.txdotcms.com/.
5. If you missed the May 31, 2026 deadline, submit now and email IFR@txdot.gov with questions.
6. Watch your email and portal for requests for more information.

New applicants:

1. Check TxDOT's IFR update page first. TxDOT's main DBE page still says certification activities are "halted until further notice," while a later update said new and interstate applications were expected to reopen in early July. Confirm the current status by email (IFR@txdot.gov) before applying.
2. Apply through the DMS portal or the TUCP agency for your area. Include the UCA, Form CIV-PN, PNW statement and supporting documents.

After you're certified

• File a Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) on the anniversary of your certification date.
• Report changes to your certification agency. (No Texas-specific change-reporting form was found; ask your agency.)
• Out-of-state firms apply for interstate certification under 49 CFR 26.85 and can submit to any TUCP member. Texas interstate applicants were told to email ifr@txdot.gov.

Watch out for

• Firms are delisted during re-evaluation. Do not count on DBE credit until you are reinstated.
• Submit to your certifying agency, not a different TUCP member.
• Incomplete bank and asset documentation is the top reason TxDOT cites for problems.
• 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.
• Help from the TUCP partners is free. TxDOT also posted a re-evaluation webinar. Call 512-416-4700 or email IFR@txdot.gov.

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
• public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-19688.pdf
• www.txdot.gov/business/disadvantaged-small-business-enterprise/additional-details-o
• www.txdot.gov/content/dam/docs/division/civ/dbe-sbe-hub/dbe-reevaluation-deadline-e
• www.txdot.gov/content/dam/docs/division/civ/dbe-sbe-hub/dbe-reevaluation-update-jun
• www.txdot.gov/content/dam/docs/division/civ/civ-pn-form-and-instructions.pdf
• www.txdot.gov/business/disadvantaged-small-business-enterprise/small-business-certi
• www.txdot.gov/business/partnerships/tucp.html
• www.txdot.gov/business/disadvantaged-small-business-enterprise.html

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.