Have a story idea
Have a story idea? Send it to us here.
Source : DGS
October 11, 2024
Author : Alex Bustles
The California Department of General Services (DGS) is starting an important study to understand the experiences of diverse businesses, including those owned by minorities, women, members of the LGBTQ community, certified small businesses, and disabled veterans, when trying to work on projects funded through the state of California. The goal is to identify any differences in how these businesses are used compared to their numbers and to suggest ways to address any issues found.
This study will look at contracts that state agencies have awarded from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2023. To gather information, the DGS will analyze contract data and engage with the community through various public outreach efforts. They plan to hold several public meetings, both in person and online, to hear directly from businesses about their experiences, including any challenges they faced when working with the department.
There will also be a dedicated website for the study, where the public can complete an online survey and schedule one-on-one interviews to provide feedback. Find the dedicated page for the disparity study, complete with registration forms for meetings and links for the survey and interview scheduler, at cadgsdisparitystudy.org.
Additionally, a list of frequently asked questions regarding the study is available in PDF format. You can download it by visiting the DGS website, expanding the heading for “Statewide Procurement & Contracting Disparity Study,” and finding the link at the end of the second paragraph.
The results of this study are expected to be published on the DGS website by December 2025. Anyone interested in contributing to this initiative can contact DGS at (510) 607-8353 or via email at cadgsdisparitystudy@mtaltd.com. This effort aims to create fairer opportunities for all businesses in state contracting.
Category : Disabled Veteran Businesses Disadvantaged Business Enterprises LGBTQ Owned Businesses Minority Business Enterprises Small Business Enterprises Women Business Enterprises Disparity Studies State Government