ALAMEDA COUNTY DISPARITY STUDY FAQ
What is a Disparity Study?
The Disparity Study is an evaluation of the County’s utilization of minority and women business enterprises on County contracts from July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020. Once the utilization is determined, we will compare that to the availability of ready, willing and able M/WBEs in the market area to determine if a statistical disparity exists.
Which industries are being studied?
The industries being studied are construction, professional services, and goods and services.
What guidelines exist to help direct the Study?
The Study will be guided by the United States Supreme Court’s 1989 decision in City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co., 488 U.S. 469 (1989) and its progeny.
Who should business owners contact to get additional information?
Mason Tillman can be contacted at alamedacountydisparitystudy@mtaltd.com.
Who is conducting the Study?
Mason Tillman Associates Ltd., a national expert in conducting disparity studies, will review the County’s contract records, identify market area businesses, and collect anecdotal accounts from business owners. The firm is based in Oakland, California.
How will Mason Tillman identify available businesses?
To identify available businesses, Mason Tillman Associates, will conduct a broad-based business outreach program. The County contract records, certification lists, outreach meetings, and trade and professional association lists will be used to identify available businesses.
Who is sponsoring the Study?
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors commissioned the study.
How will the Counties benefit from the Study?
Three benefits to the County are to:
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Identify best practices to improve the County contracting process
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Increase the number of bidders on the County contracts
This information will potentially increase the number of bidders on County contracts. It will also determine the percent of County contracts awarded to minority and woman-owned businesses.
How can local business owners get involved?
Local business owners can complete a business survey.
Local business owners can also participate in a telephone interview to share contracting and bidding experiences and/or provide membership lists from local business associations.
Who should business owners contact to get additional information?
Mason Tillman can be contacted by telephone at (510) 835 9012.