State of North Carolina Disparity Study
The State of North Carolina Department of Administration (NC DOA) contracted with Griffin & Strong (G&S) to conduct a Disparity Study to analyze the utilization of minority and women-owned firms by state agencies and the availability of these businesses.
The study produced two volume analysis:
Vol 1: 29 State Agencies
Vol 2: 58 Community Colleges and 21 Universities & related Institutions, all with individual data systems
Griffin & Strong made recommendations to NC DOA based on the findings of the disparity study.
Found Statistically significant MWBE underutilization across all five industry categories, with certain group/category exceptions
Study was followed by a 1-year implementation period which included performing a gap analysis, and forms, training, implementing best practices, and policy consulting
Recommended strategies to expand contracting opportunities for small business, including a small business reserve program
Recommended enhancements to Good Faith Efforts requirements, and guidance to strengthen accountability and participation
Recommended measures to strengthen the role of HUB administration across state agencies
A legally defensible disparity study provides tremendous value to state and local agencies in their efforts to achieve inclusion and fairness in public contracting and their on-going obligation to be accountable for taxpayer dollars. Disparity studies provide the needed benchmarks against which participation can be measured. It can also provide the tools for implementing best practices and direct a path forward where diverse communities and all sizes of businesses receive an equal opportunity to thrive and win.
Does your state, county, city, or organization need a disparity study? Yes, if:
It has been more than 5-7 years since your last complete disparity study
You want to access the impact of recent legislative and policy changes on your participation levels
You are a public agency wanting to implement supplier diversity programs into your procurement process
You are a private organization or quasi-governmental agency who award construction or other goods and services contracts and want to secure an equitable distribution of awards or to create small business set-aside designations
You are looking for a legally defensible inclusion program
Why Choose Griffin & Strong for Your Next Disparity Study
Griffin & Strong, P.C. (G&S) is a respected law and public policy consulting firm based in Atlanta, GA and is the leading firm in disparity research and analysis. Since 1992, the firm has conducted over one hundred (100) major studies and public engagements as a prime contractor, representing individual clients, small businesses, corporations, and government entities in public policy consulting, legislation, contract compliance, supplier diversity consulting, and disparity studies. G&S CEO Rodney Strong was recently honored as a GMSDC Blue Legend Award recipient for his legacy of work in supplier diversity. Our full-time staff include attorneys for legal analysis and public policy guidance. As always, it is our goal to ensure we produce legally defensible disparity studies.
Interested in learning more about disparity studies or specific analyses of your program?