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City of Durham falling short on MBE, WBE contracting

The City of Durham is examining ways to adjust its minority- and women-owned business (MBE/WBE) program in order to ensure that these companies are competing on equal footing with other firms doing business with the city.

A recent report commissioned by the city and conducted by a private consultant found that MBEs and WBEs have been underutilized on the city's construction, architectural and engineering, and services and goods contracts. According to the study, just 2.66 percent of the city's dollars were spent with MBE and WBE prime contractors.

The study recommends that the City of Durham form a committee to monitor contracting practices and that it divide up large contracts so that MBEs and WBEs, which often lack the capacity to take on such contracts, can bid on them.

To read the report in full, visit http://www.durhamnc.gov/agendas_new/2015/cws20150302/10274_REPORT_DISPARITY_STUDY_FINAL_REP_366180_628378.pdf.