Disparity study

The Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program enhances procurement opportunities for disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) and minority- and woman-owned businesses in its contracting.

BBC Research & Consulting (BBC) is to conduct a disparity study to assess whether DBEs and minority- and woman-owned businesses face any barriers as part of LFUCG’s contracting processes.

Information from the study will help LFUCG assess its efforts to encourage DBEs and minority- and woman-owned businesses to bid on the agency’s contracts and help inform what, if any, improvements are needed to optimize LFUCG’s contracting processes and the MBE Program.

Final report

BBC Research & Consulting (BBC) has compiled all findings into one report. 

Read the 2022 disparity study report.

Study analyses

The crux of the disparity study will be to examine whether there are any disparities between:

  • Utilization – the percentage of dollars LFUCG spent with DBEs and minority- and woman-owned businesses during the study period.
  • Availability – the percentage of dollars DBEs and minority- and woman-owned businesses might expect to receive based on their availability to perform specific types and sizes of contracts.

The study will look at contracts and procurements during a five-year period. For example July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2020. The study will also examine other information related to:

  • Legal considerations surrounding LFUCG’s implementation of the MBE program;
  • Local marketplace conditions for minority- and woman-owned businesses;
  • Contracting practices and assistance programs LFUCG currently has in place; and
  • Potential program measures to consider implementing to further encourage DBE and minority- and woman-owned business participation.

Study schedule

BBC initiated the disparity study in June 2021 and will complete the study at the end of May 2022.

Learn more about the details of the study.

Key contacts

If you have any questions or comments regarding the 2021 Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Disparity Study, contact:

Sherita Miller, MPA                         
Minority Business Enterprise Liaison
Central Purchasing Division
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

Phone: (859) 258-3323
Email: smiller@lexingtonky.gov

Alternatively, you can contact the project team directly at:

Betsy Sava                                              
Research Associate
BBC Research & Consulting

Phone: (303) 321-2547
Email: bsava@bbcresearch.com

Study progress

LFUCG will provide regular updates about BBC’s progress on the disparity study throughout its course. Check back periodically for those updates.

Next steps

BBC will engage in the following disparity study tasks in the coming months:

Business Telephone Surveys  – BBC Research & Consulting (BBC) is conducting a disparity study for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) to assess whether any barriers exist for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), and Woman Business Enterprises (WBEs) to compete for LFUCG contracts.

Learn more

Project initiation

The 2021 Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Disparity Study began in June. The study started with a series of meetings with LFUCG agencies and representatives. BBC met with LFUCG to answer questions and begin the process of understanding contracting and vendor data. You can view the presentation the project team used for those meetings online.

View project presentation

Data collection

BBC began working with LFUCG in June 2021 to collect data on contracts LFUCG awarded during the study period as well as information about the vendors that participated in those contracts.

Next steps

BBC will engage in the following disparity study tasks in the coming months:

  • Community meetings. In August 2021, the project team will conduct a series of community meetings. During the meetings, BBC will present information about the study and answer questions. The team will take comments from people about their experiences working in the local marketplace. Please participate and make sure your insights are a part of the study process. Community meetings coming soon.
  • Data collection. The project team will continue to work with LFUCG to collect data on contracts awarded during the study period and the vendors that participated in those contracts.
  • Data analysis. The project team will begin analyzing data it collects from LFUCG. BBC will begin assessing the subindustries that account for the majority of LFUCG contracting, the geographical area most relevant to its contracting, and the percentage of total contract dollars woman- and minority-owned businesses received on the agency’s prime contracts and subcontracts during the study period.
  • Availability surveys. The project team will begin conducting availability telephone surveys with businesses in the relevant geographic market area that perform work relevant to LFUCG contracting. If we contact your business, please participate in the survey process to help ensure accurate and comprehensive analyses!

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