2009 Disparity Studies

On August 4, 2008, the Commissioner of Administration for the state of Minnesota contracted MGT of America, Inc. (MGT), to conduct a Joint Availability and Disparity Study for the Minnesota Department of Administration, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Airports Commission, Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (collectively, the Governmental Units). The purpose of the disparity study was to:

• Examine what, if any, barriers may have resulted in disparities in the utilization of available minority-owned, woman-owned, and targeted group business enterprises (M/WBE and TGBs).
• Identify from the most accurate sources the availability of M/WBEs and TGBs that are ready, willing, and able to do business with each of the Governmental Units in the relevant market areas.
• Analyze state funded contracting and procurement data of the Departments of Administration and Transportation and the non-federal funded contracting and procurement data of each of the Metropolitan Agencies to determine their respective utilization, as well as each of the Governmental Units utilization as a whole, of M/WBEs and TGBs.
• Determine the extent to which any identified disparities in the utilization of available M/WBEs and TGBs by each of the Governmental Units might be impacted by discrimination.
• Recommend programs to remedy the effects of any discrimination identified, and to reduce or eliminate any other marketplace barriers that adversely affect the contract participation of such M/WBEs and TGBs.

The study resulted in six reports - one for each of the Governmental Units listed above. The full reports can be accessed through the links below.

A public presentation of the consultant's key findings, commendations and recommendations was held Thursday, November 19, 2009. There is also a link to the presentation (slide show) from that meeting. Additionally, a transcript of the presentation has been posted below.

Update - In January 2010, the Department of Administration asked the consultant, MGT of America, to provide some additional data analysis for each of the reports. That additional data, along with various technical revisions, is contained in the updated reports which can be accessed from the links below.

2009 Minnesota Department of Administration Disparity Study

2009 Minnesota Department of Transportation Disparity Study

2009 Metropolitan Council Disparity Study

2009 Metropolitan Airports Commission Disparity Study

2009 Metropolitan Mosquito Control District Disparity Study

2009 Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission Disparity Study

Slide Show from Public Presentation (November 19, 2009)

Transcript of the Public Presentation (November 19, 2009)