- What is a disparity study?
A disparity study examines whether there are differences between:
- The percentage of dollars minority- and woman-owned businesses received on an organization’s prime contracts and subcontracts during a particular time period (utilization); and
- The percentage of dollars those businesses would be expected to receive based on their availability to perform on the organization’s prime contracts and subcontracts (availability).
The comparison between the participation and availability of minority- and woman-owned businesses in an organization’s contracting is referred to as a disparity analysis. In addition to utilization, availability, and disparity analyses, disparity studies typically examine other information about:
- Legal considerations surrounding the implementation of minority- and woman-owned business programs;
- Conditions in the local marketplace for minorities, women, and minority- and woman-owned businesses;
- Contracting practices and business assistance programs the organization currently has in place; and
- Potential program measures for consideration as part of the organization’s implementation of minority- and woman-owned business programs.
- When will the disparity study be completed?
The study will be completed in June 2022. For the study schedule, click here.
- What types of contracts are being studied?
The disparity study will examine prime contracts and subcontracts INDOT awarded between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2021. The study will examine construction, professional services, and goods and non-professional services contracts and procurements.
- What will INDOT do with information from the disparity study?
Information the project team collects as a part of the disparity study will help inform INDOT’s implementation of the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. Among other information, the disparity study will provide:
- An independent, objective review of minority- and woman-owned business participation in INDOT prime contracts and subcontracts.
- Information that is useful for setting overall annual aspirational goals for the participation of minority- and woman-owned businesses in INDOT contracting and procurement; and
- Insights about how INDOT might improve contracting for local businesses and how it could better encourage the participation of minority- and woman-owned businesses in the future.
- Will the results of the disparity study be made public?
Yes, the results of the disparity study will be made public at the end of the process.
- How can I participate in the disparity study process?
There are several ways in which you can participate in the INDOT Disparity Study:
- Share your experiences working in the local marketplace or with INDOT by emailing the project team directly at INDOTdisparitystudy@bbcresearch.com.
- Join us for a community meeting where you can learn more about the disparity study process, ask questions, and submit testimony about your experiences working in the marketplace. For details about community meetings, click here.
- Respond to our requests to complete an availability survey. If you represent a business working in the local marketplace, you may be contacted as a part of the availability survey process. If you are contacted, please help the project team by participating!
- Respond to our requests to complete an in-depth interview. If you represent a business working in the local marketplace, you may be contacted as a part of the interview process. If you are contacted, please help the project team by participating!
- Call us if you have any unanswered questions about the study. For our contact information, click here.