“We know there are factors that prevent our small diverse businesses from being able to compete, and this study will provide us with hard data to allow us to get to the root of the problems and move forward in the right direction.”
BBC’s initial two-year, $899,768 contract commits 28 percent, or $251,940, to hiring a minimum of six small and diverse firms as subcontractors to complete the study, the first draft of which should be available in 15 months.
“Pennsylvania is leading by example when it comes to creating an environment where diversity, inclusion and fairness thrive,” said Kirkland.
“Even with the contract for this study, we ensured that small and small diverse businesses will play a significant role in its completion.”
Conducting the statewide disparity study was the major recommendation in a report Kirkland released last month by the Governor’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities.
Further recommendations included:
•Working to achieve a 10 percent SDB participation rate in FY 2017, a 20 percent SDB participation rate in FY 2018 and a 30 percent participation rate by SDBs in FY 2019 and beyond;
•Establishing an annual goal for each Executive Agency to increase the number of prime contracts awarded to SB and SDB prime contractors each year, and
•Developing a more robust system to monitor and report on expenditure data electronically so that program performance and outcomes can be evaluated.
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