Alameda County is requesting Small Businesses to participate in a disparity study to help bring about more inclusive and fair contracting practices. The county currently has a ELB (Emergent Local Business) and SLB (Small Local Business) program. 

Already, disparity studies have been conducted in nearby counties by Mason Tillman Associates, who will be conducting the disparity study in Alameda County. 

Supervisor David Haubert states that the main goal of the disparity study is to “measure ourselves”, to evaluate how inclusive and fair current contracting is within the county. Haubert aims to avoid awarding contracts to meet quotas but instead award contracts fairly to the best suitable contractors. His main focus is to avoid discrimination of any kind, emphasizing discrimination based on race. 

Although there have been no allegations of discrimination in Alameda County contracting, the disparity study will focus on providing true results of current and past contracting awarding practices. The results from the disparity study will allow for the County to further improve its goals of fair and inclusive contracting practices. In addition to reviewing the current contracting practices, the disparity study will also focus on utilization and availability to determine if in fact there are disparities faced by minority owned small businesses.

The disparity study is set to be completed by February of 2022, evaluating data from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020. 

To learn more and to participate in the study, owners of Alameda County based businesses may visit www.alamedacountydisparitystudy.org.