Is the California DBE Program Still Active in 2026?

If you searched whether the Caltrans DBE program is “on hold,” whether DBE goals are coming back, or whether anyone is still getting certified, here is the current picture as of mid-2026. This is an independent summary for general information, not legal advice.

What the October 2025 Interim Final Rule changed

On October 3, 2025, USDOT issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that removed the long-standing rebuttable presumption that members of certain racial, ethnic, and gender groups are socially and economically disadvantaged. Under the IFR:

• Every DBE and ACDBE applicant must now individually demonstrate social and economic disadvantage through a Personal Narrative.
• The personal net worth cap was raised to $2,047,000 (see the PNW guide).
• Existing certified firms must be reevaluated under the new standard.

What happened with the lawsuit and the injunction

In Mid-America Milling Co. v. U.S. Department of Transportation, a federal court had issued a preliminary injunction barring USDOT from applying the DBE program's race- and sex-based presumptions. Once the October 2025 IFR eliminated those presumptions, the court concluded the plaintiffs had already obtained the relief they were seeking and dismissed the case as moot, dissolving the injunction in March 2026. In other words, the lawsuit ended not because the program was struck down, but because USDOT changed the rule.

Are Caltrans DBE contract goals back?

The IFR paused the old presumption-based, race-conscious goal framework on federally assisted highway and airport projects while USDOT moves the program to individualized determinations. As of mid-2026, the program operates under that new framework, and USDOT has not announced a return to the prior goal structure. Because this area is still evolving, confirm the current contract-goal policy at ucp.dot.ca.gov before relying on it for a bid.

What this means if you are applying or already certified

• New applicants: California is still accepting DBE and ACDBE applications. Plan to write a Personal Narrative and file a PNW Statement — see the DBE certification guide.
• Currently certified firms: watch for your reevaluation notice and prepare your Personal Narrative early. The Caltrans reevaluation guide walks through the packet.
• Uncertainty remains: reevaluation is still underway across states, and related civil-rights complaints are pending elsewhere, so details may continue to change.

This article is general information, not legal advice, and the DBE regulatory landscape is changing. Verify the current rules at ucp.dot.ca.gov and the Federal Register, or consult a qualified attorney.