Published by MGT Consulting Group

A study commissioned by the City of Tallahassee produced factual evidence to support the continuation of a race and gender-conscious local MWBE procurement program based on findings of MWBE utilization as prime contractors or subcontractors and using statistical data for five business categories. The Study analyzed procurement trends and practices for the study period of October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2017. The expenditure utilization analysis showed that non-MWBE prime firms are utilized at substantially higher rates than their MWBE counterparts. Spending by the MWBE classifications was 1.88 percent for Non-minority Women firms, 1.05 percent for African American firms, 1.81 percent for Hispanic American firms, and 0.02 percent for Asian American firms. For the City’s construction subcontractors, MGT estimated that 79.14 percent or $54.3 million of spending went to non-MWBE firms, while only 20.86 percent or $14.3 million when to MWBE firms.

Published by Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd.

The authors performed a disparity analysis on all prime contracts and subcontracts awarded by Miami-Dade County (Florida) from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2011. The analysis found statistically significant underutilization (“disparity”) at both the prime contract and subcontract levels for several minority groups. Disparity was found for African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Women Business Enterprise construction prime contractors on contracts valued under $250,000. Race and gender-neutral recommendations are offered to increase M/WBE access to the County’s prime and subcontracts and to track, monitor, report, and verify M/WBE prime contractor and subcontractor utilization. These recommendations are address administrative strategies, pre-award, post-award, website, and data management recommendations.

Published by Griffin & Strong, P.C. for the State of Georgia

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) study demonstrated the ongoing need for analysis and evaluation of a state’s DOT efforts to ensure equitable availability and access to public contracting opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses. The study analyzed the contracting and subcontracting activities of GDOT, its prime contractors, and grantees during the three (3) year period from FY2012 to FY2015 in order to determine whether, due to race, ethnicity, or gender status there exists a statistically significant disparity between the percentage of available DBEs in GDOT’s marketplace and the percentage of these firms that have been awarded contracts from GDOT or its prime contractors.The 2016 GDOT Disparity Study identified three key conclusions on the participation and utilization of minority and women-owned businesses to contract with GDOT: the certification process was considered daunting and long for many contractors; there might not be “buy-in” to the program amongst all of GDOT’s staff, and some believe that good faith efforts are not proving to be effective.

Published by Keen Independent Research

Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) study demonstrated the ongoing need for analysis and evaluation of a state’s DOT’s efforts to ensure equitable availability and access to public contracting opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses. The disparity study was launched in March 2018. Keen Independent completed an Availability Study report in July 2019 before publishing the full Availability and Disparity Study report in March 2020. The 2019 HDOT Availability and Disparity Study analyzed whether there is a level playing field for minority and women-owned firms in Hawaii to contract with HDOT for construction, professional services, goods, other general services, and airport concessions; and overall goals for disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) participation in its federally funded contracts.