A website has been launched to provide information about Washington’s statewide disparity study for minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses in state contracts and purchasing.

The site, wastate.disparity-study.com, is maintained by Colette Holt & Associates, who has been contracted to conduct the study. The Department of Enterprise Services will provide oversight of the study on behalf of the state.

This research project is designed to provide necessary data needed to understand whether minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses have equal access to contracting opportunities on state prime contracts and associated subcontracts. The study will evaluate barriers to state contracting and recommend strategies to ensure all firms in the Washington community can participate in state opportunities.

The public will have opportunities to provide input as part of the study. Learn more on the website about how to participate.

We encourage those who are interested in participating to contact the study contractor.

About the study

Unlike most disparity studies, which focus on one type of purchasing at one agency, city department or district, this pioneering study will look at goods and services and public works contracting and purchasing throughout the state. The study will include:

• Some 30 agencies and two universities, covering more than 85 percent of state contract spending.
• Most categories of spending for goods and services and non-transportation public works construction.

The study will use statistics and proven research methods to address whether or not there is a disparity between available minority- and women-owned businesses and state government’s use of these businesses. It will also provide a factual foundation that Washington can use to help ensure all state agencies are using procurement policies and processes that result in fair and equitable outcomes. An advisory group convened in 2016 played an important role in identifying the study scope and data questions to be answered in the study.

The study will not duplicate the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) disparity study that is now underway. It also does not include or duplicate study efforts related to contracting and procurement work done by non-state government agencies, such as ports, cities or counties.

Business Diversity Subcabinet

Enterprise Services also leads Gov. Jay Inslee’s Subcabinet on Business Diversity.

The 12-agency subcabinet, formed to increase ways for small minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses to participate in state contracting opportunities, has entered Phase 2 of its work. The subcabinet did necessary work to establish a true foundation for change during Phase 1. During Phase 2, the subcabinet’s emphasis is on speed in delivering results. The latest updates on the subcabinet’s work are available on the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises website.

More information

• Statewide disparity study information
• Statewide and WSDOT Disparity Study Comparison
• Business Diversity Subcabinet

Contact information

For questions or more information about the disparity study, contact Colette Holt & Associates, (855) 692-3529.

For more information about the Business Diversity Subcabinet, contact Subcabinet Administrative Director Rex Brown, (360) 407-7926.