Danielle L. Dietrich, Esq.

10/02/2026

After the Interim Final Rule last fall, ACDBEs were left feeling like they didnt have much information. ACDBEs are a very different kind of business from many DBEs and often have long term contracts. The Final Rule issued some clarification on what happens if an ACDBE is Disqualified from the DBE Program, which I explain in this video (the final in my ten part series on the Final Rule).

This is Part 10 of a series of 10 videos highlighting changes and n...

10/02/2026

During the past year, because of the required recertification process that every DBE must go through, certifying agencies were not processing applications for new DBE or ACDBE certification. But this changed recently- find out more in this video (part 9 of a 10 part series).

This is Part 9 of a series of 10 videos highlighting changes and ne...

10/01/2026

The USDOTs Final Rule clarified the interstate process following a DBE or ACDBEs recertification in their home state. Learn about what you must do to get interstate certification - along with what the USDOT says certifiers cant make you do. This is part 8 of my 10 part series on the Final Rule.

10/01/2026

The USDOTs Final Rule created a new term to describe DBEs and ACDBEs that did not successfully complete the recertification process. Learn about what it means to be disqualified from the program versus being decertified from the program. This is part 7 of 10 in my series on the new final rule.

This is Part 7 of a series of 10 videos highlighting changes and ne...

10/01/2026

The DBE and ACDBE recertification process has been going on for about a year, but in many places, there was no end in sight (and some certifiers had not even started the process). The USDOTs recent Final Rule set deadlines for both certifying agencies and DBEs and ACDBEs who haven't yet started the process. I discuss these deadlines in part 6 of my ten part series on the new Final Rule.

09/30/2026

Many DBE and ACDBE owners have been highly concerned about the confidentiality of their personal narratives and the personal financial information included with their PNWs. The USDOT addressed this in the Final Rule, and I summarize it in this video, which is Part 5 in my ten-part series.

This is Part 5 of a series of 10 videos highlighting changes and ne...

09/30/2026

The USDOT issued clarifications in its recent Final Rule clarifying that certain DBEs/ACDBEs are exempt from the personal narrative requirement - find out who in this video (Part 4 of my ten part series):

This is Part 4 of a series of 10 videos highlighting changes and ne...

09/30/2026

The DBE/ACDBE recertification Final Rule allows the certifying agencies to decide that individuals aren't actually economically disadvantaged, even if that individual's PNW is below the required threshold! Find out more in Part 3 of my ten part vlog series on the Final Rule.

https://youtu.be/YrSO0mhlfbM

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09/29/2026

For DBEs and ACDBEs, one of the more frustrating parts of the personal narrative was the requirement that they compare themselves to "similarly situated non-disadvantaged individuals." The USDOT's Final Rule made some changes that will hopefully make that comparison easier. This vlog gives an overview of those changes and how it may help you.

This is my second video in a ten part series highlighting the changes and important information from the Final Rule:

This is Part 2 of a series of 10 videos highlighting changes and ne...

09/29/2026

Attention DBEs, ACDBEs, and those interested in getting these certifications. As I explain in my video, the Final Rule issued last week by the USDOT clarified that you are allowed to use individualized examples of things that happened to you because of your race or s*x in your personal narrative.

This is my first video in a ten part series highlighting the changes and important information from the Final Rule:

This is Part 1 of a series of 10 videos highlighting changes and ne...