DBE Certification and Re-evaluation in South Dakota

What it's for

SDDOT "serves as the Unified Certification Program (UCP) for the State of South Dakota." It certifies Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) for USDOT-funded work in the state. DBE certification lets a firm count toward DBE goals on USDOT-funded contracts. SDDOT also certifies ACDBE (airport concession) firms using the same application. SDDOT posts its UCP agreement on its DBE page.

Where this state stands

• DOT's UCP status page lists South Dakota's re-evaluation as Complete (page last updated Oct 2, 2026).
• SDDOT says it "has completed the reevaluation process for all interested in state Disadvantaged Business Enterprises."
• "The DBE Directory has been reactivated and now reflects all currently certified firms."
• Not re-evaluated yet? SDDOT says such in-state firms remain eligible for re-evaluation, "however, such firms will remain in inactive status until all required documentation has been submitted for review."
• SDDOT posts a personal narrative workshop video, slides and workbook. No page limit or template rule is published on the DBE page.
• 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.
• DOT says the personal narrative (PN) "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

As posted by SDDOT:

• Uniform Certification Application (UCA), with its supporting document checklist (new applicants).
• Personal Net Worth (PNW) statement on the posted form.
• Personal narrative (PN) written by the disadvantaged owner.
• For annual updates: the Declaration of Eligibility and your most recent tax return (gross receipts).
• Interstate applicants: SDDOT's interstate cover letter and the Declaration of Eligibility and information form.

Forms are linked on SDDOT's DBE page.

Steps

Already certified (re-evaluation):

1. Search the SD DBE directory (https://apps.sd.gov/HC65bidletting/DBESearch.aspx). SDDOT says the directory "reflects all currently certified firms."
2. If you're not listed or are inactive, contact Kyle Watkins (kyle.watkins@state.sd.us, 605-773-4906) to confirm what SDDOT still needs.
3. Prepare your PN and PNW. SDDOT's workshop materials explain the process.
4. Send your documents by mail, or ask SDDOT to set up a SharePoint file-share folder for electronic upload.
5. SDDOT reviews them. The UCP decides.

New applicants:

1. Download the UCA, PNW form and checklist from SDDOT's DBE page.
2. Complete them, including your PN.
3. Mail to: DBE Program, South Dakota Department of Transportation, 700 E Broadway Ave, Pierre, SD 57501-2586. Or email kyle.watkins@state.sd.us to get a SharePoint upload folder.
4. If SDDOT schedules an on-site review, note that SDDOT says "All On-Site Reviews must be recorded."

After you're certified

• Submit an Annual Declaration of Eligibility with your most recent tax return (49 CFR 26.83 requires it on your certification anniversary).
• Notify SDDOT "within 30 days of any change" affecting eligibility.
• SDDOT says failure to notify of changes "or submit an Annual Declaration of Eligibility within the required time frames is deemed a failure to cooperate and is grounds for removal."
• Interstate certification: firms certified elsewhere use SDDOT's interstate cover letter and Declaration of Eligibility form.

Watch out for

• Firms that missed re-evaluation stay inactive until SDDOT has all required documents.
• Missed annual declarations can lead to removal.
• Help from the UCP is free, and applying is free.

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
• www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-19688
• www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-A/part-26/subpart-E/section-26.83
• dot.sd.gov/doing-business/contractors/disadvantaged-business-enterprise-dbe/

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.