In May Econsult Solutions, Inc. and Milligan & Company submitted the
Annual Disparity Study for FY2012 to the City of Philadelphia. The study finds that while Minority/Women/Disabled-Owned Enterprise (M/W/DSBE) utilization remained relatively unchanged, there was an increase in the participation of M/W/DSBEs located inside Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Metropolitan Statistical Area. City-based participation increased by 8.8 percent between FY2011 and FY2012. The total amount of contracts awarded to M/W/DSBEs in the City grew from $57 million in FY20011 to $72.6 million in FY2012, a 27 percent increase.
Of the City’s seven completed projects with Economic Opportunity Plans, four projects exceeded their utilization goals, including two which with utilization of over 50%. Furthermore, for the third year in a row, the percentage of contracts with M/W/DSBE prime contractors increased.
Overall, while the number of M/W/DSBEs “ready, willing, and able” to compete for City business on Public Works, Personal and Professional Services, and Supplies, Services, and Equipment contracts has increased, the study concludes that overall disparity remains an issue, with a FY 2012 disparity ratio of .67 (down from .70 in FY 2011). The authors of the study recommend maintaining a participation goal of 25% for fiscal years 13, 14, and 15.