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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)  Program Goal & Methodology  

FYs 2025-2027

FRANKLIN TRANSIT AUTHORITY  

DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) PROGRAM GOAL AND METHODOLOGY  

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Introduction:  

Franklin Transit provides two types of service. The first service is a fixed-route system, which maintains  a consistent schedule and route. The fixed routes serve the City of Franklin and Cool Springs areas.  There are two fixed routes: Red Route to historic downtown Franklin and Blue Route to Cool Springs.  

The second service offered is transportation on demand, known as Transit-on-DemanD (TODD), which  picks up passengers unable to meet the fixed routes at their home and transfers them to locations within  the city. TODD is available throughout the City of Franklin, including the Cool Springs area.  

The Franklin Transit Authority (FRTA) receives over $250,000 in federal financial assistance from FTA  and has signed an assurance it will comply with 49CFR, Part 26. Therefore, FRTA has established a  DBE program and submitted its FY2025-2027 goal to FTA for review and approval.  

DBE Liaison Officer (DBELO):  

The Grants and Procurement Director has been delegated as the DBE Liaison Officer (DBELO). In that  capacity, the DBELO is responsible for implementing all aspects of the DBE program and ensuring that  the Franklin Transit Authority complies with all provisions of 49 CFR Part 26. The DBELO has direct,  independent access to the chief executive officer concerning DBE program matters. Implementation of  the DBE program is accorded the same priority as compliance with all other legal obligations incurred  by the Franklin Transit Authority in its financial assistance agreements with the Federal Transportation  Administration.  

Policy Statement:  

It is the policy of the Franklin Transit Authority that businesses meeting the definition and requirements  of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) as defined in 49 CFR Part 26 shall have the maximum  opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts financed in whole or in part  with funds derived from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration.  Franklin Transit is fully committed to comply with 49 CFR Part 26, carrying out the statements and  requirements of each section of the DBE Program as contained herein.  

Franklin Transit will never exclude any persons from participation in, deny any person the benefits of, or  otherwise discriminate against anyone in connection with the award and performance of any contract  covered by 49 CFR Part 26 on the basis of race, color, sex, or national origin. In administering its DBE  program, Franklin Transit will not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, use criteria or  methods of administration that have the effect of defeating or substantially impairing accomplishment of  the objectives of the program with respect to individuals of a particular race, color, sex, or national  origin.  

Franklin Transit Authority has disseminated this policy statement to the governing board and all of the  components of our organization. This information is permanently a part of the Franklin Transit website,  https://franklintransit.org/ .  

Goal Summary:  

The Franklin Transit Authority has established its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for  Federal Fiscal Years 2025-2027 to be seven and one-tenth percent (7.1%) of the federal financial  assistance Franklin Transit will expend in DOT-assisted contracts, exclusive of Federal Transit  Administration funds to be used for the purchase of transit vehicles. This goal will be achieved through  100% race-neutral measures. The goal was determined by reviewing the percentage of the revenue spent  in fiscal years 2021-2023, the percentage charged to FTA dollars, the availability of DBEs in each

FRANKLIN TRANSIT AUTHORITY  

DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) PROGRAM GOAL AND METHODOLOGY  

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purchasing category, the tentative three-year budget, and, finally, the prorated consideration of the  anticipated purchases for fiscal years 2025-2027.  

Information Sources:  

Franklin Transit Authority reviewed a variety of data sources in order to develop its DBE Goal:  ∙ Prior procurement and project records and DBE reports  

∙ U. S. Bureau of the Census  

∙ North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Codes  

∙ Tennessee Uniform Certification Program (TNUCP) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)  Directory  

Goal Methodology:  

Our goal methodology is based on specific projects and contracts that Franklin Transit is going to award  and the DBE availability in our area. There are plans for continuing the bus shelter project, installing six  new bus shelters within the service area over the next three years. Another project involves purchasing  transit planning and transit dispatch software. Since there aren’t any large construction or capital  contracts, Franklin Transit also reviewed its operating contracts.  

The Federal Fiscal Years 2025-2027 goal was established as follows:  

Franklin Transit followed USDOT guidance, considering all certified DBEs to be Ready, Willing, and  Able (RWA) based upon whether or not the business appears in the state’s DBE Directory/ Unified  Certification Program.  

Step 1: Developing a base figure for the relative availability of DBEs  

In looking at contracting opportunities for Franklin Transit Authority, there are very few over the next  three years that are anticipated. Most capital funds are expended on bus purchases that are on a state contract and preventive maintenance. As of FY2025, Franklin Transit plans to continue installing eight to ten new bus shelters over the next few years. Another potential project is expanding technology  components to the service, specifically transit planning and dispatch software. There are no large  projects planned currently.  

However, Franklin Transit Authority can potentially utilize DBEs depicted in the following chart based on the search for registered DBEs by NAICS codes in the Tennessee Uniform Certification Program for  daily or ongoing needs.  

The Local Market Area was determined to be Nashville-Davidson County, Maury County, Williamson  County and Rutherford County; these include the majority of contractors (and subcontractors) with the  area beyond being primarily rural. According to the 2021 United States Census data (County Business  Patterns), there are 2,741 RWA firms in the statistical area of Nashville-Davidson County, Maury  County, Williamson County and Rutherford County, Tennessee, in which DOT funding could be spent  by Franklin Transit.  

72 businesses in Nashville-Davidson County, Maury County, Williamson County and Rutherford  County, Tennessee, are certified as DBEs with the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Small  Business Development Office.

FRANKLIN TRANSIT AUTHORITY  

DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) PROGRAM GOAL AND METHODOLOGY  

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 72 DBE firms/ 2,741 All RWA (DBE and non-DBE) firms = 0.026%  

To ensure that our DBE program will be narrowly tailored to overcome the effects of discrimination, if we use contract goals, we will adjust the estimated breakout of race-neutral and race-conscious

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DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) PROGRAM GOAL AND METHODOLOGY  

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participation as needed to reflect actual DBE participation and we will track and report race-neutral and  race conscious participation separately. For reporting purposes, race-neutral DBE participation includes,  but is not necessarily limited to, the following: DBE participation through a prime contract a DBE  obtains through customary competitive procurement procedures; DBE participation through a  subcontract on a prime contract that does not carry a DBE goal; DBE participation on a prime contract  exceeding a contract goal; and DBE participation through a subcontract from a prime contractor that did  not consider a firm’s DBE status in making the award.  

We will maintain data separately on DBE achievements in those contracts with and without contract  goals, respectively.  

Step 2: Adjusting the Base Figure  

Franklin Transit has examined all evidence available to determine if an adjustment to the base figure is  needed. The expected contracting opportunities in the upcoming three years are substantially similar to  the previous three years. Previous participation included mostly prime contractors; one subcontractor  was used. The historical median DBE participation over the previous three years is 11.69% calculated as  follows:  

Participation:  

2021—11.31%  

2022 – 23.74%  

2023 – 11.69%  

This number averaged with the Step 1 base figure of .026% would make the DBE goal 7.14%.  Therefore, the DBE goal for Franklin Transit for FYs 25-27 is 7.1%. This goal will be reached using  race neutral means of facilitating DBE participation.  

FRTA’s DBE goals are currently being achieved through 100% race-neutral measures, and we expect to  continue to meet our goal through 100% race-neutral measures.  

Attachments that support the above methodology include:  

∙ Past three-year DBE Participation Data (Attachment 1) and  

∙ Spreadsheet detailing number of RWA firms by NAICS Code (Attachment 2).

FRANKLIN TRANSIT AUTHORITY  

DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) PROGRAM GOAL AND METHODOLOGY  

Attachment 1: 3-Year DBE Participation Data

RWA firms by NAICS Code

GEO_ID NAME NAICS2017 NAICS2017_LABEL LFO LFO_LABEL EMPSZES_LABEL YEAR ESTAB

Geographic  

identifier code Geographic Area Name 2017 NAICS codeMeaning of NAICS Code

Legal form of  

organization code

Meaning of Legal form  of organization code

Meaning of Employment  

size of establishments  

code Year

Number of  establish ments

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 541810 Advertising agencies 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 54 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 541810 Advertising agencies 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 3 0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 541810 Advertising agencies 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 19 76

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 238110 Poured concrete foundation and structure contractors 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 38 0500000US47119Maury County, TN 238110 Poured concrete foundation and structure contractors 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 6 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 238110 Poured concrete foundation and structure contractors 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 29 0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 238110 Poured concrete foundation and structure contractors 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 11 84

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 238210 Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 163 0500000US47119Maury County, TN 238210 Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 17 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 238210 Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 66 0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 238210 Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 49 295

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 238220 Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 178 0500000US47119Maury County, TN 238220 Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 33 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 238220 Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 83 0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 238220 Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 59 353

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 323111 Commercial printing (except screen and books) 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 56 0500000US47119Maury County, TN 323111 Commercial printing (except screen and books) 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 5 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 323111 Commercial printing (except screen and books) 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 9 0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 323111 Commercial printing (except screen and books) 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 17 87

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 441310 Automotive parts and accessories stores 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 81 0500000US47119Maury County, TN 441310 Automotive parts and accessories stores 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 12 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 441310 Automotive parts and accessories stores 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 36 0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 441310 Automotive parts and accessories stores 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 16 145

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 454310 Fuel dealers 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 5 0500000US47119Maury County, TN 454310 Fuel dealers 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 3 8

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 518210 Data processing, hosting, and related services 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 74 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 518210 Data processing, hosting, and related services 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 7

Attachment 2 Data from 2021 County Business Patterns, US Census Bureau

RWA firms by NAICS Code

0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 518210 Data processing, hosting, and related services 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 24 105

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 524210 Insurance agencies and brokerages 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 320 0500000US47119Maury County, TN 524210 Insurance agencies and brokerages 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 40 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 524210 Insurance agencies and brokerages 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 96 0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 524210 Insurance agencies and brokerages 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 211 667

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 541211 Offices of certified public accountants 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 123 0500000US47119Maury County, TN 541211 Offices of certified public accountants 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 11 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 541211 Offices of certified public accountants 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 21 0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 541211 Offices of certified public accountants 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 61 216

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 541930 Translation and interpretation services 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 4 0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 561621 Security systems services (except locksmiths) 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 24 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 561621 Security systems services (except locksmiths) 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 7 0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 561621 Security systems services (except locksmiths) 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 4 35

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 561622 Locksmiths 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 7 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 561622 Locksmiths 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 3 0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 561622 Locksmiths 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 4 14

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 561710 Exterminating and pest control services 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 39 0500000US47119Maury County, TN 561710 Exterminating and pest control services 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 4 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 561710 Exterminating and pest control services 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 16 0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 561710 Exterminating and pest control services 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 13 72

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 561720 Janitorial services 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 193 0500000US47119Maury County, TN 561720 Janitorial services 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 21 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 561720 Janitorial services 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 65 0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 561720 Janitorial services 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 58 337

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 811111 General automotive repair 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 119 0500000US47119Maury County, TN 811111 General automotive repair 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 24 0500000US47149Rutherford County, TN 811111 General automotive repair 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 59 0500000US47187Williamson County, TN 811111 General automotive repair 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 36 238

0500000US47037Davidson County, TN 812331 Linen supply 1 All establishments All establishments 2021 5 Attachment 2 Data from 2021 County Business Patterns, US Census Bureau