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Disparity Study

What is a Disparity Study?

A disparity study involves analyzing data and compiling evidence to determine whether small, minority, and women-owned businesses have equal opportunities on City of Tacoma projects.

 

The study determines the City's utilization and availability of these firms as a percentage of all firms in the market area and within relevant industries. The study also analyzes whether there are disparities between the availability and utilization of these firms on City projects. Lastly, the study includes recommendations for future policies and programs.

 

Disparity Study Findings Presented During September 17, 2024 City Council Study Session

The City of Tacoma has completed its Economic Disparity study for its Equity in Contracting (EIC) Program. City staff presented results at the September 17, 2024, City Council Study Session.

 

The full report can be accessed here: City of Tacoma 2024 Economic Disparity Study - Final Report.

 

If interested in summary information within the full report, please see the following pages:

Community members with questions about the Economic Disparity Study, or the EIC Program, or who wish to request information in alternate formats, can reach EIC Program staff by calling 311 from anywhere within Tacoma city limits, or (253) 591-5000 from anywhere else, or by emailing City of Tacoma Business and Economic Development Manager, Kacee Woods at kwoods@cityoftacoma.org.

 

Disparity Study Launched Fall 2023

The City of Tacoma conducted a disparity study in the Fall of 2023, for its Equity in Contracting (EIC) Program. The study is be based on five years of historical data, from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022, plus data form the post-December 2019 time period measuring the impacts of Covid-19.

 

The City desires to undertake all necessary and reasonable steps to lawfully ensure that Minority and Women-Owned Enterprises (MWBEs) are afforded equitable opportunities to participate in local government contracting within the relevant marketplace from which the City routinely purchases significant quantities of goods and services.

 

The City is interested in ensuring that its public contracting and purchasing funds are not spent in a manner that in any way contributes to, or perpetuates, the effects of marketplace discrimination.

  

For additional information on the 2024 Economic Disparity Study, please view the associated fact sheet and study website which are linked below.

 

2024 Economic Disparity Study Fact Sheet

 

2024 Economic Disparity Study Website

 

 

2024 Disparity Study Recommendations

2024 Disparity Study Recommendations

  1. Refine overall aspirational MBE/WBE goals
  2. Continue contract goals and expand to professional services
  3. Implement SBE evaluation and price preferences
  4. Further develop a small contracts program
  5. Perform additional outreach and relationship-building
  6. Participate in MBE/WBE/SBE capacity building
  7. Consider other steps to encourage small business utilization
  8. Allocate sufficient resources for program success

2018 Disparity Study

Background

The City authorized an extensive, year-long disparity study completed in 2018 that analyzed procurement and contracting barriers for small, disadvantaged, minority, and women-owned businesses in construction, architecture and engineering, services, and goods. This study determined that there exists a statistically significant underutilization by the City of minority and women-owned businesses in these contract categories.

 

Results of the last Disparity Study indicated that the City's Small Business Enterprise Program had not effectively reduced barriers or increased opportunities for businesses owned by women or people of color. 

 

The City's Equity in Contracting (EIC) program was developed to address these issues, with the aim of improving equity in contracting. 

 

More information is available in this final report by Griffin & Strong, P.C. (GSPC), the consultant awarded the contract for the 2018 Disparity Study. 



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