Oregon MBE, WBE, Vetbiz disparity study released

OR News - Published Dec 11, 2023

The State of Oregon has released its 2023 disparity study into the experiences of businesses owned by persons of color, women, and service-disabled veterans doing, or attempting to do, business with the State. The study was commissioned to determine whether or not there were stastically significant disparities in the utilization of such firms relative to their availability, and, if so, what remedies might be taken in the matter.

The study examined $3.2 billion worth of contracts and procurements during the period of fiscal years 2017 through 2022. The study found that while businesses owned by persons of color and women made up 33.9 percent of available businesses in the state, and businesses owned by service-disabled veterans made up 3.9 percent of available businesses in the state, their respective utilization rates were just 10.9 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.

Recommendations made by the study for remedying this state of affairs include, but are not limited to: setting both overall annual business participation targets and contract-specific participation goals for businesses owned by persons of color, women, and service-disabled veterans; requiring prime contractors to make enhanced efforts to subcontract with such businesses; instituting prompt payment requirements for subcontractors; and setting up a small-business set-aside program.

Find the disparity study at https://www.oregon.gov/das/Docs/2023%20State%20of%20Oregon%20Disparity%20Study%20Final%20Report_November%2016%202023.pdf.

Find the executive summary of the study at https://www.oregon.gov/das/Docs/2023-State-of-Oregon-Disparity-Study-Executive-Summary.pdf.

Read the State's press release at https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=167321.