U.S. DOT Tracking State DBE Status

What’s happening: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched a webpage tracking each state’s compliance with recent changes to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.

Under the Department’s Interim Final Rule, which took effect Oct. 3, 2025, women- and minority-owned small businesses are no longer presumed to be “disadvantaged.” The program has been effectively suspended on federal-aid transportation projects while each state has invited firms to reapply for DBE certification under new parameters. Once completing this phase of the process, a state may set DBE goals once again.

Why it matters: In working with affiliated chapters, federal agencies, and state DOTs, ARTBA has noted that the pace of the reevaluation process has varied greatly around the country. The new webpage provides an additional resource to assess these developments.

What’s next: The legal authority for the DBE program comes from the federal surface transportation law, which is currently up for reauthorization in Congress. If you have questions or feedback about DBE-related issues, please contact Rich Juliano or Prianka Sharma.