DBE Certification and Re-evaluation in Tennessee

What it's for

TDOT's Civil Rights Division runs DBE certification in Tennessee through its Small Business Development Program. It certifies Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) for USDOT-funded work. DBE certification lets a firm count toward DBE goals on USDOT-funded contracts. TDOT's re-evaluation FAQ covers both DBE and ACDBE (airport concession) firms. A list of other UCP member agencies was not found on the pages reviewed.

Where this state stands

• DOT's UCP status page shows Tennessee's re-evaluation as not complete (page last updated Oct 2, 2026).
• TDOT says it is "reviewing Personal Narratives for past DBEs, interstate certifications and new applications."
• TDOT's FAQ set a target to finish initial reviews and decisions "by June 15, 2026." It also says "June 15 is not a required submission deadline for DBEs."
• Where to submit: "All required documents...must be uploaded at tdot.gob2g.com." Existing DBEs use the "Update your Certification" section. TDOT's instructions say to download the mandatory documents at the bottom of that page, complete them, and return to the same screen to submit.
• Narrative format: TDOT uses a fillable "Personal Narrative (PN) Questionnaire." It has sections on social disadvantage (education or training; employment and career) and economic disadvantage (access to financing; the type and size of harm). You can type answers into the form or upload documents in B2GNow. No page limit is published.
• TDOT notes PN submissions are confidential under 49 CFR 26.109.
• Federal deadlines (final rule, effective Sep 25, 2026): UCPs must finish re-evaluations by Dec 24, 2026, with one possible three-month extension. Firms that haven't submitted by Mar 24, 2027 are disqualified (DOT final-rule FAQ, Q17 and Q22).
• DOT says the 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 listed by TDOT, for each owner who is part of the 51%+ qualifying ownership:

• The TDOT Personal Narrative Questionnaire, completed by the owner.
• A Personal Net Worth (PNW) statement (TDOT posts the form).
• Optional supporting documents, such as tax returns, letters, correspondence, or proof of denied access.

Steps

Already certified (re-evaluation):

1. Log in to https://tdot.gob2g.com/.
2. Go to "Update your Certification."
3. Download the mandatory documents at the bottom of the page (the PN Questionnaire and PNW statement).
4. Complete them for each qualifying owner.
5. Return to the same screen and submit them, with any optional supporting documents.
6. Watch for a notice of deficiencies. TDOT says if deficiencies "remain unresolved, TDOT cannot continue your participation in the DBE program, and you will need to reapply later."
7. The UCP decides. If found ineligible, you'll get written notice with appeal or reconsideration information.

New applicants:

1. Register at https://tdot.gob2g.com/ and start a DBE application.
2. Include the PN Questionnaire and PNW statement.
3. TDOT says it is currently reviewing new applications and interstate certifications.

After you're certified

• Federal rules require a new Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) every year on your certification anniversary, with your latest gross receipts (49 CFR 26.83). TDOT's own annual-update steps are not published on the pages reviewed.
• Report material changes within 30 days, with a signed DOE (49 CFR 26.83).
• Interstate certification: TDOT says it is reviewing interstate certifications. Steps are not detailed on the pages reviewed.

Watch out for

• June 15, 2026 was TDOT's review target, not a submission cutoff. Federal deadlines still apply.
• Unresolved deficiencies end your participation, and you'd have to reapply.
• Help from the UCP is free. Contact TDOT.DBE.Program@tn.gov.

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
• www.tn.gov/tdot/civil-rights/small-business-development-program.html
• www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/civilrights/small-business/ifr-and-personal-narra
• www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/civilrights/small-business/ifr-and-personal-narra
• www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/civilrights/small-business/ifr-and-personal-narra

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.