DBE Certification and Re-evaluation in New York

What it's for

The New York State Unified Certification Program (NYS UCP) certifies Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in New York. It has four certifying partners: NYSDOT, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA). DBE certification lets a firm count toward DBE goals on USDOT-funded contracts. NYS UCP also re-evaluates ACDBEs (airport concession firms).

Where this state stands

• DOT's UCP status page lists New York's re-evaluation as Complete (page last updated Oct 2, 2026).
• NYS UCP sent notices on Jan 12, 2026 and Feb 19, 2026. The final deadline to submit was Mar 20, 2026 (per the MTA-posted NYS UCP document dated Mar 12, 2026).
• Firms that missed the deadline may still submit, but stay ineligible for DBE/ACDBE counting until recertified and are removed from the public directory, per the NYS UCP FAQ.
• How to submit: through B2Gnow, not email. Log in at https://nysucp.newnycontracts.com/ with your existing credentials and open the "2025 Reevaluation Application." Upload for each owner claiming disadvantage. Submit to your original certifying agency.
• Narrative format: no official page limit. The FAQ asks that it be "concise and focused with sufficient detail." NYS UCP's document lists three parts the PN must cover: specific instances of hardship, barriers or denied opportunities; how they held back education, employment or business; and the resulting economic harm. MTA posts a narrative process template and a B2G portal webinar. No sample narrative is provided. DOT says the PN is the owner's own statement, not something for consultants to write.
• Recertified firms keep their original certification date.
• Note: NYSDOT's own DBE page blocks automated access, so we could not read it: couldn't verify NYSDOT-specific details.

Have this ready

For each owner claiming disadvantaged status:

• Personal narrative (PN).
• Personal Net Worth (PNW) Statement on the USDOT form. Cap: $2,047,000 (excludes primary residence, ownership in the firm, and retirement accounts).
• Supporting financial documents: bank statements, property value estimates, investment records. The FAQ asks for full, unredacted copies.
• Optional documents that support the PN.

Steps

Already certified (re-evaluation):

1. If you have not submitted, log in to https://nysucp.newnycontracts.com/.
2. Open the "2025 Reevaluation Application."
3. Upload the PN, PNW and financial documents for each disadvantaged owner.
4. Answer any follow-up from your certifying agency.
5. The UCP decides. If denied, you can appeal to USDOT under 49 CFR 26.89.

New applicants:

1. Choose one certifying partner (NYSDOT, MTA, Port Authority or NFTA).
2. Apply through its portal: NYSDOT nysdot.newnycontracts.com; MTA mta.newnycontracts.com; NFTA nfta.newnycontracts.com; Port Authority panynj.diversitysoftware.com.
3. Include your PN, PNW and supporting documents.
4. The FAQ says applications pending on Oct 3, 2025 were delayed until re-evaluations finished. Ask your partner agency about current timing.

After you're certified

• File a Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) every year on your certification anniversary, with your latest gross receipts (49 CFR 26.83). NYS UCP's own annual steps were not on the pages we could read.
• Report changes to your certifying agency.
• Interstate: firms recertified in their home state don't resubmit the PN and PNW to New York. Follow 49 CFR 26.85(c) and include a revised DOE.

Watch out for

• Decertified firms lose their directory listing and may reapply after 12 months, or appeal to USDOT.
• DBE size limit cited in the FAQ: $31.84 million in average gross receipts over 3 years. ACDBE limits follow 49 CFR 23.33.
• Your documents are confidential; certifiers can't release them without your written consent.
• 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.mta.info/doing-business-with-us/opportunities-for-hubs/dbe
• www.mta.info/document/202111
• 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.