Comprehensive services, tailored to your vision
At KWA, we offer consulting in DBE, ACDBE, and UCP programs tailored to aviation, transportation, and infrastructure projects. Our services help agencies meet compliance obligations, promote equity, and achieve measurable results.
A Leading Consulting Firm in DBE, ACDBE, and UCP Program Development
(KWA) is a national DBE, ACDBE, and UCP program development consulting firm based in Wilmington, North Carolina, with offices in Raleigh NC, and Atlanta GA. The company began in 1989 as a multi-service urban planning firm, with an initial focus on planning support for aviation and transportation development projects.
KWA staff have over 100 years of Small Business Consulting experience.
KWA has expertise in a variety of small business programs, from the federal DBE and ACDBE programs to local and state small business programs.
KWA works with you to establish milestones to complete your project and meet your deadlines.
Goal setting (SBE, DBE and ACDBE)
Ken Weeden & Associates, Inc. has extensive experience developing and implementing Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs. Over the past 37 years, KWA has prepared more than 1,000 DBE program documents across 35 states for nearly 200 agencies, including airports, state Departments of Transportation, and public transit authorities.
KWA assists agencies in establishing DBE participation goals that comply with federal regulations and reflect local market conditions. Our approach integrates regulatory requirements, availability analysis, and historical participation data to develop defensible and well-supported goals.
Services May Include:
- Goal methodology development
- Data analysis and availability studies
- Stakeholder coordination
- Documentation for regulatory review
Monitoring for Contract Compliance, DBE and USDOL, Davis-Bacon
KWA provides comprehensive consulting support to clients and the development and implementation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) programs and full compliance with applicable federal and state regulatory requirements.
KWA’s contract compliance service offerings include:
- Bid Document Review – collaboration with Architecture Engineering (A/E) firms to ensure the accurate and complete incorporation of DBE requirements into all bid and procurement documents
- Pre-bid and pre-proposal meeting representation – attendance at pre-bid and pre-proposal meetings to provide clear guidance on DBE program requirements to prospective contractors and subcontractors
- Good Faith Effort Reviews – rigorous post-bid evaluation of submitted good faith efforts documentation to assess the adequacy and sufficiency of outreach and compliance activities
- DBE Database and Bidders List Management – development and ongoing maintenance of client specific DBE databases and bidders list to support program integrity and accessibility
- DBE Outreach and Training Programs – design and delivery of localized DBE outreach initiatives and training programs to expand participation and strengthen community engagement
Annual Compliance Reports Development
KWA assists airport clients in preparing and submitting the required annual DBE accomplishment reports. KWA has years of experience working with FAA Civil Rights Connect to submit the reports. KWA also assists clients in preparing the Annual Report of ACDBE Participation for commercial service airports.
UCP Certification Support
KWA provides a comprehensive range of services to support Unified Certification Program (UCPs) in reevaluating DBE and ACDBE firms, ensuring compliance with IFR requirements (49 CFR § 26.111) and minimizing administrative burden.
With 37 years of delivering DBE, ACDBE, and UCP consulting and training services across 36 states and multiple U.S. territories, KWA is prepared to support UCPs through each phase of the reevaluation process.
UCP Reevaluation Services May Include:
- Assessing existing UCP databases and establishing baseline metrics
- Notifying firms of IFR requirements and required actions
- Conducting workshops for UCP staff and certified firms
- Reviewing personal narratives for compliance with updated requirements
- Assisting with required USDOT submissions
- Updating DBE Program Plans to align with IFR requirements
Personal Narratives for DBE Recertification
In October 2025, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued an Interim Final Rule that revised the eligibility standards for the DBE and ACDBE program. Firms that seek to remain certified as DBEs and ACDBEs must now undergo an individualized reevaluation and demonstrate social and economic disadvantage without reliance on race or sex. This determination is supported through the submission of a Personal Narrative as required under USDOT regulations (49 CFR § 26.67).
KWA provides structured support to help firms prepare and review Personal Narratives with a focus on clarity, organization, and alignment with USDOT requirements. Services are tailored based on firm needs and complexity.
Services May Include
- Guidance & Feedback – Written guidance on an existing Personal Narrative draft to clarify key points and address gaps.
- Personal Narrative Review – Detailed review focused on clarity, organization, and alignment with DBE recertification requirements.
- Full Narrative Development – Structured support to develop a complete Personal Narrative from the ground up, with follow-up guidance included.
Training
The National DBE Training Institute, a subsidiary of Ken Weeden & Associates, provides training for professionals responsible for administering DBE and ACDBE programs. Our courses assist agencies to strengthen compliance practices and improve program administration. The National DBE Training Institute is premised on the belief that well-trained, knowledgeable, professional personnel are the foundation of successful, vibrant, business utilization programs across the country.
Ken Weeden & Associates, Inc.
KWA is a national DBE, ACDBE, and UCP consulting firm based in Wilmington, NC, with offices in Raleigh and Atlanta. Founded in 1989, KWA began as a multi-service urban planning firm supporting aviation and transportation development projects.
- Goal setting (SBE, DBE and ACDBE)
- Monitoring for Contract Compliance, DBE and USDOL, Davis-Bacon
- Annual Compliance Reports Development
- UCP Certification Support
- Personal Narrative Consulting
- Training
What Our Clients Say
