It is the Unified Government’s goal to provide the maximum practicable opportunity for increase participation by minority-and woman-owned and controlled businesses, as long as such businesses are underrepresented, and to ensure that Unified Government contracting practices do not support discrimination in employment and services when the Unified Government procures public works, goods, or services from the private sector. A previous study was undertaken which covered a period of time but has since expired. The Unified Government desires to update the study which is the focus of this Request for Proposals. As further described, the Unified Government seeks a disparity analysis that will (i) analyze utilization of Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) in Unified Government contracts based upon the availability and utilization of ready, willing, and able MWBEs to perform required work in the relevant market area over the past five-year period, (ii) Examine what, if any, barriers may be adversely affecting participations of MWBE in contracts issued by the Unified Government (iii) Identify best practices for the policy recommendation on remediating any identified disparities, as well as effective tools for developing MWBEs capacity; (iv) Update policy or ordinance to reflect the finding of the study; (v) Create a goal matrix for the Unified Government to reflect findings; (vi) evaluate the procurement and contracting practices of the Unified Government and identify barriers or impediments to the utilization of MWBE firms, and (vii) Develop presentations and communications on findings and recommendations as required by the Unified Government Administration (viii) make recommendations as to how the Unified Government can lawfully improve its contracting practices to be more inclusive of MWBEs, taking into consideration the requirements of applicable local, State, and Federal laws. The study will include statistical analysis, empirical evidence, and an assessment of any anecdotal and qualitative evidence of discrimination. Evidence of discrimination may include barriers to obtaining bonding, insurance, and financing which result in disparities in business formation, business opportunities, and earnings.
