The U.S. Department of Transportation issued significant revisions to its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, effective October 3, 2025, that remove automatic race- and gender-based presumptions of disadvantage and now require individualized proof of social and economic disadvantage. These changes will affect all entities relying on USDOT guidance or Unified Certification Program (UCP) directories, including many state DOTs, airports, transit agencies, and local governments, as well as the contractors who work with them. The update triggers a recertification process for all DBE firms and temporarily suspends DBE contract goals while agencies reassess their directories. The summary below outlines the key changes, impacts, and steps small businesses should take to prepare.

Click here for the full summary issued by the ASA.

ASA of Washington created a White Paper on the Change Order Law that once pertained only to public projects. The law changed in 2024 and is still being interpreted in the courts.

This white paper was edited by Saki Yamada with Ahlers, Cressman and Sleight LLC and distributed during an ASA-WA Lunch & Learn on Sept. 9, 2025.

Click here for the PDF.

Click here for the Request for Change Order and Notice of Completion of Work Template.