2023 State of Oregon
Disparity Study

Overview

BBC conducted a disparity study for the State of Oregon related to its efforts to encourage the participation of person of color (POC)-, woman-, and service-disabled veteran (SDV)-owned businesses in the contracts and procurements state executive branch agencies award. We assessed disparities between the participation and availability of POC-, woman-, and SDV-owned businesses for state agencies’ contracts and procurements and collected extensive qualitative information about local marketplace conditions for businesses located in Oregon.

Community Engagement

Disparity Studies

Legal Analysis

Policy Analysis

Program Development

Qualitative Research

Quantitative Research

Outcomes

Substantial disparities: BBC observed substantial disparities between the participation and availability of POC-, woman-, and SDV-owned businesses for construction, professional services, non-professional goods, and services contracts and procurements Oregon state agencies awarded between 2017 and 2022. We also observed various barriers in human capital, financial capital, business ownership, and business success for POCs, women, SDVs, and the businesses they own throughout Oregon.

 

Program development: The State of Oregon is using information from the disparity study to potentially develop programs and efforts to encourage the participation of POC-, woman-, and SDV-owned businesses in its work, possibly including race- and gender-based measures.