Photo of Heather Frisch

Heather Frisch

Subscribe to Heather Frisch's Posts
Contact:Read more about Heather Frisch

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Interim Final Rule (IFR) has created months of uncertainty for contractors, agencies, and certified firms trying to understand what comes next for the DBE program and goals on federally funded projects. In California, at least one piece of that uncertainty now has a date attached to it.

On March 2, 2026, Caltrans and its California Unified Certification Program (CUCP) partners began the statewide reevaluation process for all Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) firms. Caltrans set a deadline of April 16, 2026 to submit the materials required for reevaluation: a Personal Narrative, a Personal Net Worth statement, and supporting documentation.

Continue Reading California’s DBE Recertification Deadline Is Here: What Contractors Need to Do By April 16
1776200543-2560-5606-lxb_photofteR0e2BzKolxb_photo-
Sven Mieke, Unsplash

Seyfarth Synopsis:  As of January 1, 2026, AB 889 bulldozed California’s Prevailing Wage law, which impacts public works employers—including public agencies, the contractors that work for them, and private owners and developers whose projects may be subject to public works requirements. The amended law reframes the calculation of fringe benefits for individuals who work on public works project and mandates annualization of such benefits, demolishes the practice of frontloading these benefits, and requires employers to maintain inspection-ready records of compliance.   

Continue Reading Breaking Ground On New California Public Works Prevailing Wage Requirements