What Is a Disparity Study? Disparity studies are one of the most effective tools cities, counties, transit agencies, and public institutions use to evaluate fairness in public contracting. While often treated as compliance requirements, well-designed disparity studies serve a much…
Supplier diversity conversations today often center on a single word: data. We measure participation in contracting, track where dollars flow, and identify persistent gaps. Data brings structure, credibility, and accountability to the work. But data has limits because although it…
As organizations across the public and private sectors deepen their commitment to supplier diversity, economic empowerment, and inclusive procurement, one foundational tool continues to shape effective policy and program design: the disparity study. Too often, disparity studies are framed narrowly…
Public procurement is a trillion-dollar lever hiding in plain sight. When small and diverse businesses participate, dollars stay local, jobs grow, and communities thrive. When they don’t, opportunity concentrates—and local economies miss out. State and local governments spend more than $3…
Across the nation, a quiet revolution is redefining how communities grow. Economic development is no longer measured by ribbon cuttings or one-time grants. Today, success is defined by measurable, data-driven impact. From city halls to state agencies, one question echoes:…
A Turning Point for DBE Programs When I first started working on Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs nearly two decades ago, the mission was clear: help level the playing field for small businesses owned by individuals who had long been…
State & local local-level policy is increasingly shaping the contours of small business inclusion in the US, not necessarily through dramatic legislative announcements, but through incremental changes in procurement rules, program design, evidentiary standards, and enforcement practices. Collectively, these changes…