DBE Certification and Re-evaluation in Delaware

What it's for

Delaware's DBE certification is run by the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) Office of Civil Rights. DBE certification lets a firm count toward DBE goals on USDOT-funded contracts. DelDOT's portal mentions DBE/ACDBE (airport concession) certifications. A list of other certifying agencies was not found on the pages reviewed.

Where this state stands

• DOT's UCP status page lists Delaware's re-evaluation as not complete (page last updated Oct 2, 2026).
• DelDOT's DBE page: "Every firm currently certified as a DBE will lose its certification and must undergo reevaluation." Firms "will be required to submit updated documentation and personal narratives."
• DelDOT's portal says certifications are suspended and "cannot be counted toward goals" until re-evaluation ends. Firms will be contacted by the Certification Department with instructions.
• No Delaware due date was published. Federal deadline: UCPs must finish by Dec 24, 2026, with one possible 90-day DOT extension.
• DelDOT's DBE page still describes the Oct 2025 interim rule. It does not yet discuss the Sep 25, 2026 final rule.
• Narrative format: DelDOT published no page limit or template. DOT's FAQ says certifiers "must not enforce page limits, mandate topics, or impose any other limitations" on a narrative.
• DOT says the narrative is "a statement of the owner's own experiences," not a document "to be written by consultants."
• DelDOT's full statement (PDF) could not be read.

Have this ready

As listed on DelDOT's portal:

• Personal narrative from each disadvantaged owner.
• Personal Net Worth (PNW) statement on the USDOT form.
• Other supporting documents DelDOT requests.
• New applicants: the same items plus the application in the portal.

Steps

Already certified (re-evaluation):

1. Watch for instructions from DelDOT's Certification Department.
2. If you haven't heard anything, email DOT.DelawareDBE@delaware.gov or call (302) 760-2035.
3. Each disadvantaged owner prepares their own narrative and a current PNW statement.
4. Upload them in the portal at https://deldotcivilrights.dbesystem.com/?TN=deldotcivilrights as instructed.
5. The UCP decides.

New applicants:

1. DelDOT's page links "New Applicants Click Here to Apply" to the portal.
2. The portal banner says: "Please do not submit new certification applications, DOE's, or change requests on existing certifications until further notice." DOT says UCPs may not refuse new applications. Contact DelDOT to confirm how to apply.

After you're certified

• File a new Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) every year on your certification anniversary, with your latest gross receipts (49 CFR 26.83).
• Report any material change within 30 days, with a signed DOE (49 CFR 26.83).
• Interstate certification: not covered on the pages reviewed.

Watch out for

• No state due date is posted. Don't wait: the UCP must finish by Dec 24, 2026.
• 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.
• The portal's contact block shows placeholder text. Use the DelDOT contact above.
• Help from the UCP is free.

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

Sources

• www.transportation.gov/UCPstatus
• www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-19688
• www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2026-09/DBE_Final%20Rule_FAQs%2009-28-2026_0.pdf
• www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-A/part-26/subpart-E/section-26.83
• deldot.gov/Business/dbe/
• deldotcivilrights.dbesystem.com/?TN=deldotcivilrights

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.