Now is the time to enhance your program (but you need good research to do it).
Dr. Sameer Bawa, BBC Research & Consulting Managing Director
With the uncertainty surrounding contracting inclusion programs, now is the time to conduct good research to develop a better understanding of the businesses in your marketplace and the barriers they face in obtaining work on your organization’s projects. That information will allow you to develop innovative programs to continue supporting socially and economically disadvantaged businesses regardless of the future of race- and gender-based contracting measures.
At BBC, we understand that some organizations might be cautious to conduct contracting opportunity studies, or disparity studies, right now. But, it’s important to recognize a few things:
1. The use of race- and gender-based contracting measures is still legal, but it’s critical for your organization to take the necessary steps to make sure you’re using those measures effectively and lawfully. The best way to do that is to conduct a study to identify the groups of person of color- and woman-owned businesses that face barriers in your contracting and to assess the magnitude of those barriers, which will help you tailor your program appropriately.
2. Even if your organization isn’t using race- and gender-based measures, a well-conducted study will provide detailed information on the businesses available for your organization’s projects beyond the race and gender of business owners, including data on their size, location, age, and capacity. You can then leverage that information to design a program that addresses the specific needs of the businesses in your marketplace, regardless of the race and gender of their owners.
3. If your organization isn’t ready for a study, then you should still work with an expert to review your program and make necessary changes so you can continue supporting disadvantaged businesses in your marketplace with or without race- and gender-based measures.
Your peers aren’t deterred by the uncertainty that exists right now, and you shouldn’t be either. BBC has been inspired by the many organizations that have hired us recently to strengthen their contracting inclusion programs, including cities, counties, states, state departments of transportation, transit agencies, airports, and school systems. For some of those organizations, we’re conducting full contracting opportunity studies, and for others, we’re using existing data to redevelop their programs so they can continue meeting their inclusion objectives.
Regardless of whether your organization wants a full contracting opportunity study or just an independent review of your program, now is the time to be proactive and ensure that your organization’s programs are built to withstand any changes to the legal and political climates. We are here to help your organization through that process so you can continue supporting socially and economically disadvantaged businesses now and into the future.