Danielle L. Dietrich, Esq.

05/29/2026

Here is my new video explaining what you need to produce when applying for DBE/ACDBE interstate certification after getting recertified in your home state. Spoiler alert: it's not your personal narrative and PNW!

The next frontier in the DBE/ACDBE recertification process is interstate certification. I am receiving a lot of reports of states improperly demanding copies...

05/27/2026

WARNING TO ALL DBEs: When you are applying for interstate certification after being certified in your home state, you do NOT have to provide the additional state(s) with a copy of your personal narrative and personal net worth statements. Numerous clients are reporting to me that certifying agencies are demanding that they produce these documents. Understandably, my clients are very hesitant to further distribute their personal narratives, which contain very sensitive and personal information.

WHAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE:

Interstate certification is governed by 49 CFR Section 26.85. Subsection (c) covers what you need to provide, and it is very limited:

1) a cover letter saying you are applying for interstate certification, identifying everywhere you are certified as a DBE (including your home state);

2) An electronic image (i.e. screenshot) of the UCP directory in your home state showing your certification; and

3) A new Declaration of Eligibility (the simple form you sign saying nothing has changed - a link will be in the comments below).

Once you provide all of this, the state where you are seeking interstate certification has 10 business days to verify your certification and approve you in their state. If they want any other materials, they need to ask your home state (or jurisdiction of original certification/JOC as it is now called).

If the additional state is asking you for your PNW or PN, they are out of compliance with federal regulations.

05/22/2026

Attention DBE-Certified Businesses: Don't Let Your Certification Lapse

The BUILD America 250 Act is moving through Congress, and when it passes, it will reauthorize the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. That means new opportunities, new contracts, and continued access to the federal projects that keep your business growing. But if you haven't submitted your recertification, you risk being left behind while your competitors move forward.

I know that many of you still haven't applied, and I understand why. The recertification process can feel intimidating. Maybe you're unsure whether you'd even get approved again. But isn't it worth trying? The cost of not applying is far greater than the effort it takes to submit.

Here's what I want you to know: you have a story worth telling, and it may be a more compelling one than you realize. Your experiences, your challenges, the path you've taken to build your business — there is so much more in your journey to talk about than you might think.

That's exactly why I designed my questionnaire the way I did. It walks you through a wide range of topics so you don't have to worry about figuring out what to include and what to leave out. You just answer the questions. From there, I follow up, ask more questions, dig deeper into the details, and use all of that to put together your narrative. The goal is to make this process as easy as possible for you.

Don't wait any longer, or you're going to miss out on opportunities. If you need help writing your recertification narrative, please reach out to me. I'm here to help you stay certified and stay competitive.

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05/21/2026

As I posted about in my blog yesterday, the BUILD America 250 Act contains a reauthorization of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. Here is my YouTube video discussing what this legislation says about the DBE program and how it may affect you:

Earlier this week, the BUILD America 250 Act was introduced in the House of Representatives. Included in this massive (1,000+ pages) bill is a reauthorizatio...

05/20/2026

A lot of DBEs and ACDBEs have submitted their recertification materials and have yet to hear back from their certifiers. Here is a very short video I made about what to do if you find yourself in that situation:

Today I'm here with a quick video giving some thoughts on what to do if you haven't heard back regarding your DBE/ACDBE recertification submission.I am an at...

05/19/2026

Lately I've been getting a lot of questions about how community property is treated for DBE/ACDBE personal net worth calculations. Here's a very quick video giving my answer: https://youtu.be/t_W6NHHZDzI

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05/04/2026

May the Fourth Be With You: A New Hope for DBE Certification

We are Star Wars fans in our family (already purchased tickets for the Mandalorian & Grogu movie), so in the spirit of May the 4th I thought I'd give my Monday update with some Star Wars flavor.

Often I'm feeling like part of the Rebel Alliance, helping protect my clients against the Empire (the federal government officials that made these changes). I won't say who Emperor Palpatine is in my mind but you can probably guess.

So far I have helped 62 clients use the force (their own story) to gain recertification, while many are frozen in carbonite, awaiting the decisions of the Jedi council (certifying agencies). Sadly, one client has been taken out by the Death Star (i.e. did not get recertified). I will be assisting them with appealing to the Galactic Senate (USDOT).

We are down to only a handful of states that appear to be part of a Trade Federation Blockade, not accepting recertification applications and in noncompliance with federal law. The Dark Side is strong with those states.

Much like Yoda hiding in Dagobah, there are also many states hiding from making decisions. They are accepting recertification applications but refusing to issue any decisions. Do or do not, there is no try- let's get some decisions already!

Happy May the Fourth to all those who celebrate!

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04/27/2026

I am immensely concerned about mysterious companies approaching DBEs and ACDBEs about using their AI tools to draft their personal narrative. Find out why in my new video:

DBE/ACDBE Personal Narratives: BEWARE of the Use of AI websites - Confidentiality and Fraud Concerns

04/21/2026

What should a DBE/ACDBE do if their reapplication personal narrative or PNW is returned to them? How should you respond to follow up questions? I just filmed a YouTube video giving ideas on these topics, and providing a general update on where the recertification process stands. View it here:

DBE/ACDBE Recertification Update: How to Respond to Follow Up or Returns of Your Personal Narrative

04/13/2026

Time for a DBE/ACDBE recertification update on this Monday morning!

I have 35 clients recertified in 10 states so far: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Washington.

Approvals continue to trickle out, so do not panic if you're in one of these states and haven't received yours yet. It appears that in some places, there is no rhyme or reason for when the decision is made - clients who applied more recently have sometimes been approved before clients who submitted right at the beginning!

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