Adjusting the Step One Base Figure with the Median Past Participation

We calculated the median past participation percentage and used that figure to adjust the Step One Base Figure by taking the average of the median past participation figure and the Step One Base Figure. This method ensures that past participation is not be given disproportionate weight.

 

NJDOT’s past participation for 2004 through 2007 has been 15.05%, 10.2%, 8.6% and 15.13%.  The median past participation is 12.63%. 

 

The Step One analysis resulted in a Step One Base Figure of 18.68%. The average of 18.68% and 12.63% is 15.66%.  Therefore, 15.66% is the Step One Base Figure adjusted for past participation.

Calculating the Step One Base Figure

Calculating the Step One Base Figure requires us to identify all ready willing and able DBE firms and all firms ready willing and able to do business with NJDOT.

 

49 CFR 26.45 requires us to begin the goal setting process by determining a base figure for the relative availability of DBEs.  In order to accomplish this we identified: 1) ready, willing, and able DBEs; and 2) all firms ready willing and able to do business with NJDOT.

 

Step One Base Figure = Ready willing and able DBEs ÷ All firms ready willing and able

 

Ready willing and able DBEs

 

“Ready willing and able DBEs” are DBEs in the NJ Unified Certification Program (NJUCP) database with North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes in work categories where NJDOT would normally contract.  These are firms that have voluntarily submitted to the NJUCP DBE certification process, thereby demonstrating a readiness, willingness, and the ability to participate as DBEs on NJDOT contracts. 

 

We organized the NJUCP DBEs into construction firms, and consulting firms. There are 304 DBE construction firms and 277 DBE consulting firms (excluding duplicates).

 

All firms ready willing and able

 

“All firms ready willing and able” includes all NJDOT pre-qualified and cost-basis approved firms; ready willing and able DBEs as defined above; Emerging Small Business Enterprises in work categories where NJDOT would normally contract; sub-consultants  and sub-contractors that have done business with NJDOT within the past three years; and haulers and suppliers that have been certified as Small Business Enterprises.

 

These firms, like the DBEs, were divided into construction firms, and consulting firms. There are 2139 construction firms and 505 consulting firms (excluding duplicates).

 

DBE construction firms= 304

DBE consulting firms= 277

All construction firms= 2139

All consulting firms= 505

 

Weighting

 

In order to ensure that our base figure was as accurate as possible, we weighted the base figure according to the projected capital program expenditures for federally funded construction services and professional services for FFY 09 projects.  The total projected capital expenditures for FFY 09 are $410,601,490.  The projected capital expenditures for construction services for FFY 09 are $363,846,490.  The projected capital expenditures for professional services for FFY 09 are $46,755,000.  Therefore, 89% of NJDOT contract dollars will be spent on construction projects and 11% on consulting.

 

Step One Base Figure = [% of construction projects for FFY 09 (DBE construction firms ÷All construction firms) + % of consulting projects for FFY 09 (DBE consulting firms ÷All consulting firms)] × 100

 

 

Step One Base Figure = [.89 (304 ÷2139) + .11 (277 ÷505)] × 100

 

Step One Base Figure = [.89 (.1421) + .11 (.5485)] × 100

 

Step One Base Figure = [.1265 + .0603] × 100

 

Step One Base Figure = 18.68