WisDOT begins recertification process for DBEs

WI News - Published Feb 17, 2026

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has announced that on Monday, February 16, 2026, the Wisconsin United Certification Program (UCP) will begin accepting applications for recertification for disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs).

The recertification announcement follows the DBE Interim Final Rule published on October 3, 2025, which required all DBE programs to recertify DBEs based on an evaluation of the firm's social and economic disadvantage without relying on race- or sex-based presumptions of disadvantage. Applicants for recertifications must demonstrate their history of social and economic disadvantage on an individual basis. WisDOT has stated that no DBE goals will be assigned to projects until the recertification process is completed.

WisDOT plans to hold training webinars over the Microsoft Teams platform to help firms understand the DBE recertification process on Monday, February 16 at 11 AM and Thursday, February 19 at 2 PM.

Find WisDOT's page for the DBE program (including information relating to the recertification announcement, and links to recertification training webinars) at https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/civil-rights/dbe/default.aspx.