Anne Arundel County releases 2022 SWMBE disparity study

MD News - Published Sep 22, 2023

Anne Arundel County has released a disparity study into its Small, Woman, or Minority Business Enterprise (SWMBE) program. The study examined the County's contracting with SWMBEs during the period of fiscal years 2017 through 2021.

The study found that, out of the approximate $548 million in County spending during that period, that MWBEs received 8.1 percent of that spending. However, it was calculated that the availability of MWBEs for work was 22.15 percent, which, along with qualitative methods including interviews with local business owners, indicates significant underutilization of MWBEs in County contracting, thus forming the basis for remedies proposed to that underutilization.

Recommendations made by the study that the County plans to proceed with include providing more one-on-one assistance with businesses needing to file procurement forms, removing language barriers in contracting, requiring County purchases under $100,000 requiring three quotes to include at least one quote from a SWMBE, and forming a Disadvantaged Business Coordinating Council which will support efforts to include SWMBEs in County contracting.

"This report helps bolster the work already in progress, while providing a roadmap for where we can improve our processes and policies moving forward," said County Executive Steuart Pittman in a statement.

Read the press release from the County at https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/news/anne-arundel-county-releases-study-countys-use-small-woman-or-minority.

Find the disparity study at https://www.aacounty.org/central-services/purchasing/minority-business-enterprise-program/disparity-study.