King County has nearly eliminated contracting disparities with minority- and women-owned businesses, according to a study conducted by a nationally recognized consulting firm. This successful outcome follows Executive Dow Constantine's Pro-Equity Contracting Initiative and the county’s sustained efforts to recruit and retain historically disadvantaged firms as government contractors.
King County's work to support the involvement of more minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) in government contracting is paying off substantially. In a study conducted by Colette Holt & Associates (CHA), a nationally recognized leader in disparity studies, MWBEs "are at or very close to parity with non-MWBEs in the award of County dollars" on construction contracts and the professional services associated with those contracts.
Across five categories (Black, Hispanic, Asian, White Women, and MWBE firms), King County's awarded contracts with these firms equaled or exceeded their availability in the local market from 2018-2022.
This success comes after the executive's Pro-Equity Contracting Initiative, amplified through his 2021 Executive Order. The order outlined the actions King County would take to engage more minority- and women-owned firms, and other small contractors and suppliers, in county contracts. In 2023, $77 million in county contracts were awarded to these firms, with $35 million going specifically to MWBEs.
"Everyone in King County must have the opportunity to work hard and realize their potential. So, it is my priority to increase opportunities for small businesses, especially those firms that have historically been shut out of government contracts. Ensuring these businesses can grow, succeed, and hire more workers is just one way we're helping our whole region to thrive," said Executive Constantine. “While the results of this study are positive, we will not rest on our laurels. We will continue to set our sights high to make sure minority- and women-owned businesses can compete on a level playing field."
"Through our longstanding Contracting Opportunities Program, we have been partnering with county agencies to enhance equity by amplifying the participation of MWBE firms in contracts,” said Ken Guy, director of King County’s finance division. “These study results demonstrate that it is making a positive difference in our communities."
CHA is a Black woman-founded-and-owned firm that has conducted more than 80 disparity studies nationwide over the last 25 years. The firm has conducted similar studies for the City of Seattle, the Port of Seattle, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.
"Without the use of explicitly race- and gender-conscious contract goals, King County has been able to achieve an impressive level of competitive opportunities for MWBEs," said Colette Holt, who led the study. "This is important to disadvantaged firms in the Puget Sound area to reduce discriminatory barriers throughout the wider economy."
While the disparity study results are positive, more work remains to reduce or eliminate barriers for MWBEs. CHA found that excessive insurance requirements sometimes discouraged these firms from bidding on county contracts. In addition, the study noted that King County could do more to "unbundle" projects to allow more MWBEs and small contractors and suppliers to become prime contractors, rather than serving as subcontractors to larger firms.
From here, the county will continue implementing current programs and launch a nine-element action plan to carry out various study recommendations. This plan includes measures to reduce barriers in certification and procurement requirements, enhance goals and performance metrics, and forge partnerships with other government entities to leverage successful programs, including a mentorship program.
Given the successful work and programming already underway, King County recently joined other regional public agencies, local governments, and construction management firms in signing a pledge with the Equity in Infrastructure Project. The project advances a mission to build generational wealth and reduce the racial wealth gap by creating more contracting opportunities for historically underutilized businesses and the pledge aligns closely with the county’s previous work and newest action plan.
King County appreciates the small businesses that shared information and participated in the disparity study.
"PRR has worked with King County to engage the community in decision-making since our founding more than 40 years ago," said Colleen Gants, a principal at public relations firm PRR. "We appreciate the county's commitment to working with small, woman-, minority-, and veteran-owned businesses to help deliver importation regional services."
"King County's commitment to partnering with underutilized firms, combined with our OMWBE status, provided us the opportunity to work on a significant project that aligns perfectly with our expertise," said Bill Caron, a principal with ColeBreit Engineering. "It's an opportunity we might have otherwise overlooked due to competing with larger firms."
"King County's history of investing in MWBEs has contributed to our growth in addition to that of our MWBE partners,” said Darnell Cola, a vice president with construction management firm Vanir. “We know that the county's commitment to equitable outcomes for MWBEs has contributed to our success and we are committed to doing the same for diverse businesses."
"Partnering with King County as an MWBE has opened doors for our company to take on large, challenging projects and connect with new clients that we might not have reached before," said Sandy R. Brodahl, president of HWA GeoSciences. "On a personal level, programs like this have provided the opportunity for women and minorities in our company to take on leadership positions that otherwise might not have been available. This has not only diversified our leadership but has also fostered a culture of inclusivity and innovation within our organization."
"Our team members are especially driven by the positive impacts their work has on local communities, and we're always looking to build on our expertise," said David Jacobs, director of strategy at Osborn Consulting. "Together with King County, we'll keep finding innovative ways to support and improve our local communities."
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