REGIONAL DISPARITY STUDY LAUNCH

The Disparity Study will work to ensure that minority-owned and woman-owned business (MWDBEs) and LGBTQ+ have access to equitable opportunities to government contracts and will examine the effects of marketplace discrimination.  

“Creating opportunities for our diverse business community is one of the ways that we can transform our city into a city for all,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “I am thankful for the regional partnership, and it is a shining example of what it looks like to come together to create a better future for everyone in Pittsburgh.”   Over the past two and a half years Mayor Ed Gainey has been working towards creating more opportunities for our local small and diverse businesses to thrive. Through these efforts the City has been engaging in a Procurement Modernization Process that has led to increased opportunities for all. 

New pre-bid policies with better and more dedicated outreach efforts have seen attendance at pre-bid meetings rise from an average of 5 contractors attending to over 20.  

The rise in attendance has also seen an increase in overall MWDBE participation, which is up 3% from the previous year. Last year three Black-owned businesses were selected as prime contracts for major projects; Homewood Field, the DPW 4th Division, and the Comprehensive City Plan. Prior to the modernization efforts, from 2017-2022 there had only been four Black-owned businesses to win a prime contract on either construction projects in excess of $250,000 or professional services in excess of $50,000.  

The changes also resulted in the first certified LGBTQ+ business participating as a subcontractor on an approved contract, and the city now has a list of over 40 certified LGBTQ+ businesses.   

Yesterday the City convened a stakeholder briefing that included 40 local members of the MWDBE, LGBTQ+ business community to provide an overview of the process and share details about the progress made with the modernization effort, and why the disparity study is a critical tool for the community.  

The last disparity study completed by the City of Pittsburgh was conducted over two decades ago, with data being used from 1996-1998. The new study will be a critical tool to help create more equitable opportunities for small diverse businesses in our city. 

What it will do:  

• Determines the relative availability of minority-owned and women-owned businesses that are ready, willing and able to do business with the Study Consortium members within the relevant market area(s);   

• Identifies the nature of, and determines the extent to which, any barriers may have resulted in disparities in the utilization of available M/WBEs in public and private sector contracts;    

• Analyzes the contracting and procurement data of each Study Consortium member to determine its respective M/WBE utilization, as well as the Study Consortium’s collective utilization as a whole, of minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises;   

• Determines the extent to which any identified disparities in the utilization of available minority and women owned businesses by any member of the Study Consortium, and by the Study Consortium as a whole, might be impacted by discrimination;    

• Identifies and summarizes related findings from previous disparity studies and research encompassing the relevant marketplace from which Study Consortium members routinely purchase goods and services;    

• Analyzes the effectiveness of various race- and gender-neutral remedies and practices previously undertaken in the relevant marketplace; and    

• Recommends programs, policies, and practices that are narrowly tailored to remedy the effects of any identified discrimination and to reduce or eliminate any other marketplace barriers that adversely affect the utilization of such minority and women owned businesses by Study Consortium members.   

 Benefits of the Study:  

•  Economic Impact Analysis - to determine the broader economic development impacts from any race- and gender-conscious programs and policies that have been operating in the relevant geographic market over the course of the Study Period.  Analyze and assess economic impacts generated by the administration of such programs and policies within the relevant geographic market.  

• Regional database of MWDBE, LGBTQ+ vendors by industry  

• Vendor Survey – collect and incorporate vendor experience and input  

• List of remedies, measures, and recommendations to address identified disparity and barriers (both race-and-gender-conscious and race-and-gender neutral)  

• Data evidence to continue to support and/or modify our current programs  

• MWBE, LGTBQIA+ participation goals that are industry specific 

 "The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh maintains a steadfast commitment to providing business opportunities to minority-owned, women-owned and small businesses and has consistently exceeded our goals of 18% MBE and 7% WBE participation," said HACP Executive Director Caster D. Binion. "We're committed to furthering our efforts to encourage minority business participation and are proud to join the City of Pittsburgh in the Pittsburgh Regional Disparity Study."   

“The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority is proud to have a robust supplier diversity program and we remain committed to providing procurement opportunities for diverse businesses,” said Will Pickering PWSA’s CEO. “Participating in this regional study will provide an additional tool to enhance and improve our program.” 

A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on August 29th at 10am in the Learning Lab conference room located on the 6th floor of the City County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Attendees should use the elevators located on the Grant Street side of the building to access the 6th floor. This meeting will also be held via Microsoft Teams.  

For more information about the study, including timelines for submitting questions and proposal deadlines visit: Project overview (opengov.com)