Department of Administrative Services Disparity Study Seeks Feedback about Contracting with the State through Stakeholder Engagement Sessions
The Department of Administrative Services alongside commissioned BBC Research & Consulting (BBC), will be hosting six stakeholder engagement sessions in early December to provide information about Oregon’s disparity study, to seek feedback and be available for questions. These meetings will provide information about the project team, the purpose of the study, the project approach, and how business owners and stakeholders can participate directly in the study. The project team will also answer any questions attendees have regarding the study. In addition, attendees will have an opportunity to share any comments or insights about working with the state. This feedback will be integrated into the analysis and report.
What is the disparity study?
The Department of Administrative Services commissioned BBC Research & Consulting to conduct a disparity study, which will examine contracting by state government agencies. The study will seek information about businesses that are owned by people of color, women and service-disabled veterans. The project team will assess whether there are disparities between contracts and procurements awarded and the availability of those types of businesses for the work requested. The study will also assess marketplace conditions for businesses owned by people of color, women and service-disabled veterans throughout Oregon to determine whether any barriers make it more difficult for those businesses to compete for or perform state work.
Sessions
Stakeholder engagement sessions will take place in early December, with two sessions a day over the course of three days. Public participation and feedback are crucial to a successful study, please join any of the following sessions:
December 6
11:30 a.m.
https://rb.gy/zmctud
December 6
5:30 p.m.
https://rb.gy/ce5kwq
December 7
11:30 a.m.
https://rb.gy/dikc8y
December 7
5:30 p.m.
https://rb.gy/zqywcs
December 8
11:30 a.m.
https://rb.gy/5rhvot
December 8
5:30 p.m.
https://rb.gy/4gwz7l
“We highly encourage anyone interested in state contracting or procurement to participate in these engagement sessions,” said Christopher D. Wilson, Disparity Study Manager. “We hope to hear about all experiences, your insights will help the state better encourage the participation of small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, person of color-owned businesses, and woman-owned businesses in state work.”
The disparity study began in October 2022, and the project team expects to submit a draft report to the state in June 2023 and a final report in August 2023.
For more information about the upcoming engagement meetings or to request translation services, please visit the study webpage: https://oregon.gov/das/pages/disparity-study.aspx or e-mail oregondisparity@bbcresearch.com.
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