Published by Keen Independent Research

The state of Colorado seeks to ensure that there is a level playing field for historically disadvantaged businesses to compete for state contracts. The Colorado Disparity Study found that there is quantitative and qualitative information suggesting that there is not a level playing field for minority (MBE) and women-owned businesses (WBE)in the Colorado construction, construction-related professional services, other professional services, goods, other general services, and brokerage and investment industries. This includes evidence of unequal opportunities to enter and advance as employees within certain industries; start and operate businesses; and obtain financing and bonding to start, operate and expand their businesses. Business outcomes also differed for MBE/WBEs compared with majority-owned companies, including disparities in total business revenues.

Published by Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering for the Connecticut General Assembly and the Government Administration and Elections Commission

A disparity study of Connecticut's Small and Minority Business Enterprise Set-Aside Program was conducted. In Phase 2 the study reviewed Diversity Data Management System Specification and Review Agency Procedures; Practices Related to System Implementation; Best Practices Review and Analysis; and Establishing MBE/WBE Program Requirements. The study concluded that Connecticut can be a national leader as an advocate for MBE and WBE business opportunities by considering the implementation of a series of actions: Adopt an organizational structure with a focal point for the MBE and WBE Program; Enact legislative initiatives for the near term that separate the MBE and WBE Program from the state’s SBE Set-Aside Program; Implement administrative changes to provide greater transparency and consistency within goal-setting and monitoring processes; Collect comprehensive data about contracts and all payments made to contractors, whether prime or subcontractors, across agencies and branches of government; Increase the use of race-neutral measures to expand the number of businesses that participate in government contracting; and Consider the federal DBE regulations as guidance for implementation and administration of the MBE and WBE Program. Based on the results of periodic statistical analyses, if a statistically significant disparity resulting from discrimination exists, then a legislatively mandated MBE and WBE Program should be continued.

Published by Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering for the Connecticut General Assembly and the Government Administration and Elections Commission

The Connecticut Disparity Study was meant to provide an analysis of existing statistical data concerning the state’s current set-aside program, to determine whether its current form achieves the goal of facilitating the participation in state contracts of small contractors and minority business enterprises. Phase 1 of the study was on Connecticut’s set-aside program review and analysis, legal issues, and stakeholder anecdotal information/analysis. The primary conclusion indicated the state’s current program was intended to achieve this objective (i.e., eliminate discrimination in state contracting), but it was not designed as a narrowly tailored program and does not meet the strict scrutiny judicial standard for justifying a raced-based program.

Published by CRP, Inc.

In fulfillment of a legislative mandate pursuant to the authority set forth in the Establishment of the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Assessment Program, the District of Columbia’s Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) commissioned CRP to evaluate if there is a specific evidentiary foundation against minority- and women-owned businesses; assess if there are disparities between the availability and utilization of minority and women-owned prime contractors and subcontractors and, if there are, describe and analyze the most relevant causal factors; and determine if there are statistically significant disparities in the utilization of minority- and women-owned businesses by prime contractors on government-assisted projects awarded. Since the lack of available data made it impossible for the authors to appropriately complete a disparity study meeting industry standards, the authors’ work outlined the steps that the District of Columbia would need to engage in to conduct a disparity study by industry standards. Implementation of these recommendations, coupled with administrative support, will provide the District with an actual gauge of the state of procurement in the city, particularly related to the equitable participation of minority- and women-owned businesses in procurement and contracting transactions.