DBE Certification and Re-evaluation in New Jersey

What it's for

The New Jersey Unified Certification Program (NJUCP) certifies Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in New Jersey. Its three partners are NJDOT, NJ TRANSIT and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, each with its own portal. DBE certification lets a firm count toward DBE goals on USDOT-funded contracts. NJUCP also re-evaluates ACDBEs (airport concession firms) under the same requirements.

Where this state stands

• DOT's UCP status page lists New Jersey's re-evaluation as Complete (page last updated Oct 2, 2026).
• NJDOT sent a "Request for DBE Personal Narrative" on Jan 12, 2026, with a Feb 12, 2026 deadline. NJUCP held an info session on Jan 23, 2026.
• Firms may still submit after Feb 12, 2026, but per the NJUCP FAQ they remain ineligible until certified. NJDOT says current certifications "are not valid for contracting purposes and cannot be counted toward goals" until re-evaluation is done.
• Firms that don't take part are removed from the public directory, per the FAQ.
• How to submit: in the NJDOT portal, open the "Reevaluation" tab and follow the steps. NJ TRANSIT and Port Authority firms use those partners' portals.
• Narrative format: the FAQ says there is no required format, length or type. Each owner in the 51% disadvantaged ownership submits separately. NJDOT posts a DBE Reevaluation Cover Page template and Personal Narrative Technical Guidance. DOT says the PN is the owner's own statement, not something for consultants to write.
• PN and PNW must be sent together. NJUCP does not accept partial submissions.
• You'll get a written letter saying whether you are recertified or decertified.

Have this ready

• Personal narrative (PN) for each disadvantaged owner.
• Current USDOT Personal Net Worth (PNW) Statement (available in the B2Gnow application module). Limit: $2.047 million.
• PNW backup: bank statements, property value estimates, 3 years of tax returns with schedules, investment and mortgage statements.
• Any documents that support the PN.
• NJDOT posts a Supportive Documents Checklist.

Steps

Already certified (re-evaluation):

1. If you have not submitted, log in to your partner portal (NJDOT: https://njdot.dbesystem.com).
2. Open the "Reevaluation" tab.
3. Upload your PN, PNW statement and supporting documents together, with the cover page.
4. Answer any clarification requests.
5. The UCP decides and sends a written decision. Check https://njucp.dbesystem.com for your listing.

New applicants:

1. Pick one NJUCP partner. If you already started in the NJDOT system, "DO NOT begin a new application with any of the other NJUCP partners."
2. Apply through that partner's portal (NJDOT: https://njdot.dbesystem.com).
3. Include your PN, PNW and supporting documents.
4. NJDOT posts a flowchart of its application, review and decision steps.

After you're certified

• File a Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) every year. The FAQ says annual renewals were on hold during re-evaluation and DOEs are processed after it.
• Tell NJDOT within 30 days of any change in ownership, structure or location. Not reporting is "failure to cooperate and is grounds for removal."
• You don't need to resubmit a PN each year unless ownership changes.
• Interstate: send a cover letter, a screenshot of your home UCP directory listing, and a DOE. Your home state must re-evaluate you first.

Watch out for

• Only one application across the three NJUCP partners.
• NJDOT's Supportive Services Program (Bridge to Success, run by R6Catalyst) held 2026 workshops; contact njdotssp@r6catalyst.com.
• PNW statements are protected from public records requests under 49 CFR 26.68(e), per the FAQ.
• 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 →

Sources

• 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.nj.gov/transportation/business/civilrights/njucp.shtm
• www.nj.gov/transportation/business/civilrights/dbe.shtm
• www.nj.gov/transportation/business/civilrights/pdf/Request%20for%20DBE%20Persona
• www.nj.gov/transportation/business/civilrights/pdf/NJUCP_DBE_Reevaluation_Info_s
• www.panynj.gov/content/dam/port-authority/business-opportunities/supplier-diversity/

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.