IMPORTANT NOTICE

Attention: Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

On September 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued its Interim Rule amending its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program regulations. The interim rule makes significant changes in the requirements for obtaining certification as a DBE or as an ACDBE. Specifically, an applicant’s race or sex can no longer be taken in consideration in determining whether the business qualifies for certification as a DBE or ACDBE. It further requires that currently certified DBEs and ACDBEs demonstrate their continued eligibility under the new regulation. The new regulation allows for DBE or ACDBE certification by requiring that applicants demonstrate social and economic disadvantage based on their own experiences and circumstances without reliance in whole or in part on race or sex.

In compliance with the new regulations, the Texas Uniform Certification Program and the NCTRCA are fully engaged in identifying procedures for implementing the new regulations and developing policies which comply.

NCTRCA procedures for submitting documentation for demonstrating eligibility under the interim rule will be emailed to currently certified DBEs and ACDBEs in the coming days.

A copy of the Interim Regulation can be found at:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/03/2025-19460/disadvantaged-business-enterprise-program-and-disadvantaged-business-enterprise-in-airport

We encourage you to read it and continue to check this website for updated information.