Delaware County has decided to commission a disparity study into its procurement procedures. The study will investigate whether minority-owned, women-owned, LGBTQQIA+-owned, and disabled veteran-owned businesses face barriers in winning contracts from the County, and how they are utilized by the County relative to their availability in the area.
The study will investigate County contracting during the period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2022. It is intended that the study will include direct outreach to diverse businesses as part of its data gathering, including by means of one-on-one interviews and public hearings. The study will also make recommendations for remedying under-utilization of diverse businesses, should such under-utilization be found. The study is projected to be completed in May of 2024.
"The goal of the disparity study is to promote equity and fairness in the County's procurement process," said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor in a statement.
Those with questions regarding the disparity study are encouraged to contact either the County's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office at supplierdiversity@co.delaware.pa.us, or Larry Scott, Project Manager, Miller3 Consulting, Inc., at lscott@miller3group.com.
Read the press release from the County at https://delcopa.gov/publicrelations/releases/2023/disparitystudy.html.
Find the page for the study at https://delcopa.gov/inclusion/DisparityStudy2023.html.
Copyright © 2024, DBE GoodFaith, Inc. All rights reserved.
