Wilmington Launches M/WBE Disparity Study

The City of Wilmington has launched a disparity study beginning August 2021 to examine and understand the current procurement process and ensure it is available to Minority- and Women-owned businesses.

Source : Contractor News

September 2, 2021

Author : Kristy Casanova

The City of Wilmington has launched a disparity study beginning August 2021 to examine and understand the current procurement process and ensure it is available to Minority- and Women-owned businesses. 

The City has hired Miller, a consulting firm that has conducted hundreds of disparity studies of federal, state, and local public agencies. The disparity study will assess the current procurement process and determine if there is a disparity in the city's marketplace. The goal is to ensure that Minority- and Women-Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) are included when the City solicits goods and services. 

City leaders, including At-large Council Member Rysheema Dixon, agree that the disparity study is the first step in providing equal opportunities to M/WBEs. 

Miller's utilization analysis of the City's spending will help identify the available DBEs and ensure they are involved in the procurement process for city contracts. The types of analysis include an availability analysis to determine firms available to fulfill the City's procurement, a disparity analysis to determine the dollar percentage of the City spending through M/WBEs, and an anecdotal analysis that will provide qualitative analysis.  

The disparity study is expected to be completed and presented to the City of Wilmington during the Summer of 2022. 

Category : Minority Business Enterprises Minority Women Business Enterprises Small Business Enterprises Women Business Enterprises

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