DBE Certification and Re-evaluation in Kentucky

What it's for

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Office for Civil Rights and Small Business Development certifies Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in Kentucky. KYTC also certifies Airport Concession DBEs (ACDBEs) and is re-evaluating both. DBE certification lets a firm count toward DBE goals on contracts paid for with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) money.

Where this state stands

• DOT's UCP status page (updated Oct 2, 2026) shows Kentucky's re-evaluation is not yet complete.
• KYTC: "The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is continuing the re-evaluation of previously certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) firms."
• KYTC "will not establish DBE contract goals until the re-evaluation process has been fully completed."
• "If your firm has successfully completed the re-evaluation process with KYTC, your firm will be listed on the KYTC DBE Directory."
• "KYTC is now accepting Interstate applications." KYTC's page does not say whether new in-state applications are open; ask KYTC. The federal final rule says UCPs may not refuse or pause applications.
• KYTC has not published deadlines, how it contacts firms, where to upload the narrative, or narrative format rules (page limits, templates) on its page.
• Federal deadlines (final rule, published Sep 25, 2026): UCPs must finish re-evaluations by Dec 24, 2026 (DOT may grant "a one-time extension of up to 90 days"). Firms that have not responded get a written notice of nonresponse and have until Mar 24, 2027 (or 90 days after a UCP's extended deadline) to send the narrative and PNW statement. After that they are "automatically disqualified" (49 CFR 26.111). DOT's final-rule FAQ (Q17, Q22) says the same.
• The federal rule says the narrative 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

Re-evaluation (federal requirements; KYTC checklist not published):

• Personal narrative (PN) about the owner's own social and economic disadvantage.
• Current Personal Net Worth (PNW) statement. KYTC posts the PNW form%20Statement.pdf) in English and Spanish.

First-time applicants (KYTC list):

• Uniform Certification Application (UCA) and supporting documents.
• On-site interview.

Interstate applicants (KYTC list):

• Cover letter saying you seek interstate certification and listing all UCPs that certify you.
• Electronic image of your home UCP directory listing.
• Declaration of Eligibility (DOE).

Steps

Already certified (re-evaluation):

1. Check the KYTC DBE Directory. If your firm is listed as re-evaluated, you are done with this step.
2. If not, check your email and B2Gnow account for KYTC requests.
3. Contact KYTC at KYTC.OCRSBD@ky.gov or (502) 564-3601 to confirm what to submit and where.
4. Write your narrative yourself and complete a current PNW statement.
5. Submit as KYTC directs and answer any follow-up. The UCP decides eligibility.

New applicants:

1. Contact KYTC to confirm in-state applications are being accepted.
2. Apply through the KYTC B2Gnow system with the UCA, narrative, PNW and supporting documents.
3. Prepare for the on-site interview.
4. Interstate firms: send the cover letter, directory image and DOE.
5. KYTC must decide within 90 days after it has all required information.

After you're certified

• KYTC requires "Submission of the Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) and most recent Federal tax return on the anniversary date."
• Notify KYTC "within 30 days of any change that can impact a firm's eligibility."
• KYTC says failure to do these is "grounds for removal of a firm's certification."
• Interstate: KYTC follows 49 CFR 26.85 and has reciprocity documents with Indiana and with Ohio (Brent Spence Bridge project).

Watch out for

• KYTC is not setting DBE contract goals until re-evaluation is complete.
• Free supportive services: KYTC directs DBEs to CEI Supportive Services at kydbe.com. The narrative must still be your own.
• Help from the UCP is free. Application fee: not published.
• This is a process guide, not legal advice. The UCP decides who qualifies.

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
• transportation.ky.gov/Civil-Rights-and-Small-Business-Development/Pages/Small-Business-Deve
• www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-19688
• www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-A/part-26/subpart-D/section-26.83
• www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-A/part-26/subpart-F/section-26.111

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.