VTA DBE Program Resumption — Contractor Information & Q&A

VTA has resumed DBE goal setting and the counting of eligible DBE participation on federally assisted contracts.

Prime contractors, consultants, subcontractors, subconsultants, and DBE firms on active VTA contracts are invited to an in-person information and Q&A session. The session will explain how the resumption of the DBE Program affects current contracts and what firms must do to remain in compliance.

Who should attend

• Prime contractors and prime consultants on federally assisted VTA contracts
• DBE and non-DBE subcontractors and subconsultants currently working on VTA contracts
• Firms that were DBE-certified before October 3, 2025
• Project executives, project managers, contract managers, and subcontract administrators
• DBE compliance, diversity, and business development staff
• Staff responsible for substitutions, subcontract modifications, utilization, or payment reporting

Why this session matters

Following the U.S. Department of Transportation’s October 3, 2025 Interim Final Rule, existing DBE firms were required to complete a reevaluation under revised federal eligibility rules. Firms that did not successfully complete that process are no longer eligible to be counted toward DBE goals.

This can affect active VTA contracts—especially where a firm was committed as a DBE before October 3, 2025 but is no longer listed as certified in the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP) DBE Directory.

Do not assume prior DBE certification is still valid. VTA will verify current certification status in the CUCP Directory before counting participation.

Prime contractors are responsible for understanding the status of their DBE commitments and ensuring that any firm for which DBE credit is sought is currently eligible.

What we will cover

• What the October 3, 2025 rule changed and how reevaluation affects previously certified firms
• Steps for firms that still need to complete reevaluation
• How to verify current DBE certification in the CUCP Directory
• How VTA will treat DBE participation on active federally assisted contracts
• When participation may be counted toward a contract goal
• What happens if a committed DBE is no longer certified
• Contractor responsibilities when a committed DBE becomes ineligible for credit
• How additional work, amendments, change orders, and task orders affect DBE participation
• When VTA approval is required before changing committed DBE participation
• Monitoring, documentation, payment reporting, and compliance expectations

Please share this invitation with your subcontractors and subconsultants, especially previously certified DBE firms and staff who handle DBE compliance.

Questions in advance

To help us address contract-specific issues during the session, email questions to nassif.basma@vta.org (mailto:nassif.basma@vta.org) by October 8, 2026.

Questions about registration

Office of Business Development Programs

obdp@vta.org (mailto:obdp@vta.org) | (408) 321-5962

Registration is required. Space is limited.