News

Dear Industry Partners, Prime Contractors, Trade Associations, Advocacy Organizations, and Stakeholders:

On March 2, 2026, Caltrans, in collaboration with our California Unified Certification Program (CUCP) partners, initiated the statewide reevaluation process for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) certifications. As part of this effort, notices were sent to all certified firms outlining the steps required to submit the necessary supporting information for reevaluation.

Firms have 45 calendar days (until April 16, 2026) to submit their:

• Personal Narrative
• Personal Net Worth (PNW) Statement
• Required supporting documentation

This process is essential to ensure that firms meet the updated eligibility criteria for ongoing participation in the DBE and ACDBE programs.

Why This Matters to Industry

The DBE Program is foundational to delivering transportation projects that reflect fairness, opportunity, and strong competition. This reevaluation ensures compliance with updated federal requirements and to maintain the integrity, transparency, and credibility of the program. This reevaluation process:

• Supports uninterrupted eligibility when certification activities restart
• Allows Caltrans and industry to resume goal setting, counting, and reporting processes upon federal approval, and
• Supports stability in the construction and professional services marketplace

Call to Action for Industry Leaders

Through your leadership and outreach, firms can be better equipped to stay engaged and address reevaluation requirements. 

We respectfully ask you to: 1.

1. Encourage certified DBE and ACDBE firms in your networks to act immediately to submit reevaluation documents.
2. Remind firms not to delay their submittal and plan well before the April 16 deadline.
3. Share available technical assistance resources with your members.
4. Help reinforce the importance of maintaining active certification status.

Timely and complete responses from certified firms help ensure continuity for ongoing and future contracts. This collective effort promotes continued involvement and supports the advancement of vital transportation projects across California.

Technical Assistance Available

Guidance materials, tools, and webinars have been developed to help firms understand the updated federal framework and accurately complete their submissions. Firms may contact:

• Email: DBE.Reevaluation@dot.ca.gov
• Website & Resources:  https://dot.ca.gov/programs/civil-rights/dbe-reevaluation (Includes tools, guidance documents, and webinar information.)

Caltrans is committed to administering this process fairly, efficiently, and transparently. We value our partnership with industry and appreciate your support in reinforcing the importance of timely participation.

Together, we can ensure a smooth transition, maintain program stability, and continue advancing opport economy. Thank you for your continued collaboration.

Sincerely,

DINA A. EL-TAWANSY
Director 

Download Call to Action

Join us for a virtual community engagement session on Tuesday, August 26 at 6p, PST!

Agenda

• Presentation by BBC Research
• Community questions and comments

Click here to register to attend. Registration is optional, but we encourage you to sign up so we know how many people will attend.

Interpretation available upon request. Please notify CMD at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. More information here.

The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is in the process of setting Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals for its construction program for federal fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028. The goal period will commence on October 1, 2026, and end on September 30, 2028. 

DBE goals will be set for the construction program anticipated for the three-year period. Interested parties are invited to attend a stakeholder meeting to review the proposal goal and methodology, and to provide any information that may assist in the development of the final DBE goal for SFO. 

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goals FFY 2026-2028 - Virtual Stakeholder Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Microsoft Teams.

Please register in advance for this meeting by following the link below.

https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/0fe912c4-3b81-4796-ac10-8388008b09f6@22d5c2cf-ce3e-443d-9a7f-dfcc0231f73f

Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is excited to invite business owners and other stakeholders to participate in a Public Comment Session on its proposed Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Triennial Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal for Federal Fiscal Years (FFY) 2026-28.

BART has retained BBC Research & Consulting (BBC) to conduct a disparity study to assess outcomes for POC- and woman-owned businesses in BART's FTA-funded contracting and procurement. BART is using information from the disparity study to set its FFY 2026-28 DBE Goal, and invites you to participate in one (1) of four (4) public comment sessions where you will be able to learn more about the study and comment on the proposed goal.

Please visit the disparity study website at www.bart.gov/about/business/ocr/study, e-mail BARTDisparity@bbcresearch.com, or see the attached flyer for more information.

BBC Research & Consulting (BBC) conducted a disparity study for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to assess outcomes for person of color- and woman-owned businesses in Caltrans' Federal Transit Authority (FTA)-funded contracting and procurement. The study will help inform Caltrans' efforts to encourage the participation of those businesses in Caltrans' FTA-funded work as well as provide necessary information to assist Caltrans in setting its Federal Fiscal Year 2026-2028 Triennial Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal.

BBC, with Caltrans' support, will be holding two (2) public comment sessions to provide information about the study's results, information about Caltrans' proposed Triennial DBE Goal, answer questions about the study and the goal, and collect comments regarding the proposed goal.

Please visit the disparity study website at https://dot.ca.gov/programs/civil-rights/disparity-study , e-mail CaltransDisparity@bbcresearch.com  for more information

The City and County of San Francisco is launching a contracting equity study to better understand and address barriers that small and local business enterprises face when trying to access the City’s contract and procurement opportunities. The results of the study will inform efforts to improve the City’s 14B: Local Business Enterprise program and encourage more small and local businesses to partner with the City in delivering goods and services.

The City invites you to add your voice to the study. With the support of BBC Research & Consulting, a leading contracting equity research firm, the City will host (2) community engagement sessions to provide information about the study, answer questions, and collect insights about business conditions in the San Francisco marketplace. Your perspectives will be integrated into the study.

You do not have to register to attend the meeting, but we encourage you to sign up so we know how many people will attend. Register here: https://forms.gle/2AzZtjFLz4kQsPvr8

Please visit the contracting equity study website at https://www.sf.gov/contracting-equitystudy or e-mail SFContractingEquity@bbcresearch.com for more information.

The Business Outreach Committee, a consortium of Bay Area public transit and transportation agencies, invites you to a FREE DBE Legal Update Webinar presented by Colette Holt, founder of Colette Holt & Associates.

Mrs. Holt will provide key legal updates on the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, including recent court cases and their impacts, current legal challenges, and strategies for improving compliance. She will also share best practices and insights on how DBEs can position their firms for continued growth and success.

Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Time: 5:00 – 6:30 PM (PST)
Location: Zoom Webinar

We look forward to your participation!

Caltrans announces its new Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) overall participation goal of 21.35% for Federal Fiscal Years 2025-2027. This is slightly lower than the 2022-2024 goal of 22.23%.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s DBE Program, outlined in 49 Code of Federal Regulation Part 26.45, aims to “level the playing field” and allow women- and minority-owned businesses a fair opportunity to compete for federally funded contracts – free of discrimination. As recipients of federal funding, Caltrans must set an overall annual goal every three years. To read the Goal and Methodology Report,  visit www.dot.ca.gov/programs/civil-rights/disparity-study.

AAA+E is honored to partner with Stantec to recognize outstanding students studying architecture and engineering in the Bay Area. The scholarship program upholds our organization's goal to support professional development of young design leaders.

Congratulations to our 2023 Scholarship Award winners for demonstrating excellence in their field of study, Isis Jimenez and Lauren Yeh.

Isis Jimenez

5th Year San Francisco State University
Field of Study: Civil Engineering

Lauren Yeh

4th year University of San Francisco
Field of Study: Architecture