DBE Certification and Re-evaluation in Mississippi

Where: MDOT Personal Narrative Form (re-evaluation); JMAA DBE System (jmaa.dbesystem.com); new applications on the DOT Uniform Certification Application to MDOT Office of Civil Rights
Cost: Not published on the MDOT pages reviewed
Re-evaluation: In progress (DOT UCP status page, last updated Oct 2, 2026). No Mississippi notice dates or deadlines found on official pages; JMAA's Apr 14, 2026 presentation says personal narrative portals are open.
How long: UCP must decide within 90 days of receiving all required information; it may extend once by up to 30 days with written notice (49 CFR 26.83). MDOT's 2022 DBE manual says interstate applications are processed within 60 days of a complete packet.
Contact: MDOT Office of Civil Rights, P.O. Box 1850, Jackson, MS 39215-1850, (601) 359-7466. JMAA: vchristmas@jmaa.com, 601-360-8610
Last checked: 2026-10-03

What it's for

The Mississippi Unified Certification Program (MS UCP) certifies Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in Mississippi. The MS UCP directory lists MDOT, the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport Authority (JMAA) and public transit as certifying sources. DBE certification lets a firm count toward DBE goals on USDOT-funded contracts. The UCP also handles ACDBE (airport concession) firms; the directory includes a "Concessionaire" type.

Where this state stands

DOT's UCP status page lists Mississippi's re-evaluation as In progress (page last updated Oct 2, 2026).
MDOT's Civil Rights pages load only with JavaScript, so we could not read them. Mississippi-specific notice dates, deadlines and format rules: couldn't verify.
A JMAA presentation (Apr 14, 2026) says every previously certified DBE/ACDBE must be re-evaluated, that "Personal Narrative portals are now open," and that MDOT handles re-evaluation for firms based in Mississippi. It lists these submission routes:
MDOT: https://mdot.ms.gov/portal/personal_narrative_form
JMAA: jmaa.dbesystem.com
Email: narrativesubmission@msdbe.com
The same presentation warns that "general statements may not meet the required standard of proof." No page limit or template was published.
Federal rule: UCPs must finish re-evaluations 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

Re-evaluation (per JMAA presentation):

Personal narrative (PN) showing social and economic disadvantage. DOT says it is the owner's own statement, not something for consultants to write.
Personal net worth (PNW) form.

New application (DOT Uniform Certification Application on MDOT's site):

Résumés for owners and key staff.
PNW statement for each disadvantaged owner.
Federal tax returns (the form asks for 5 years).
Proof of owner contributions, loan and security agreements.
Equipment and vehicle records, licenses and permits.
Proof of office/yard ownership or lease, bank signature cards, employee list.
A personal narrative is also required under the final rule.

Steps

Already certified (re-evaluation):

Look for any notice from MDOT or JMAA by email or mail.
Prepare your personal narrative and PNW form.
Submit through the MDOT personal narrative form (https://mdot.ms.gov/portal/personal_narrative_form). Airport firms certified by JMAA can use jmaa.dbesystem.com.
Answer any follow-up requests by the date given.
The UCP decides. Check the MS UCP directory (latest copy dated Oct 1, 2026) to confirm your listing.

New applicants:

Download the DBE/ACDBE Uniform Certification Application from MDOT: https://mdot.ms.gov/documents/Civil%20Rights/Programs/DBE/DBE%20Certification%20Application.pdf
Gather the documents on its checklist and write your personal narrative.
Submit to MDOT's Office of Civil Rights (P.O. Box 1850, Jackson, MS 39215-1850). Call (601) 359-7466 to confirm the current submission method.

After you're certified

Federal rules require a new Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) each year on your certification anniversary, with your latest gross receipts (49 CFR 26.83). MDOT's 2022 manual calls this an annual affidavit with size and gross receipts records.
Report changes to MDOT Office of Civil Rights.
Interstate: MDOT's manual says out-of-state DBEs are processed within 60 days of a complete packet.

Watch out for

The MDOT manual is dated March 2022 and predates the rule change. Confirm current steps with MDOT.
msdbe.com contacts (support@msdbe.com; 601-718-7344) appear in the JMAA presentation as DBE Supportive Services. We could not confirm on an MDOT page who runs that service: unverified.
Not answering a re-evaluation request can lead to removal.
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 →

Common questions

Where do I apply for DBE certification in Mississippi?

Mississippi Unified Certification Program (MS UCP): https://mdot.ms.gov/portal/personal_narrative_form

Has Mississippi finished DBE re-evaluations?

In progress (DOT UCP status page, last updated Oct 2, 2026). No Mississippi notice dates or deadlines found on official pages; JMAA's Apr 14, 2026 presentation says personal narrative portals are open.

How long does DBE certification take in Mississippi?

UCP must decide within 90 days of receiving all required information; it may extend once by up to 30 days with written notice (49 CFR 26.83). MDOT's 2022 DBE manual says interstate applications are processed within 60 days of a complete packet.

Sources

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.

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