Econsult Solutions, Inc. and Milligan & Company, LLC, released their annual disparity study for the city of Philadelphia. This study is designed to analyze the City’s utilization of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), and Disabled Business Enterprises (DSBEs) (collectively known as M/W/DSBEs), relative to the availability of such firms to compete for City business, on Public Works (PW), Personal and Professional Services (PPS), and Services, Supplies, and Equipment (SSE) contracts. It determines the extent to which a disparity between utilization and availability exists, and provides critical data in the formation of annual Participation Goals.

The study found that the city awarded $267 million to minority-, women- and disabled-owned enterprises during fiscal year 2014, representing 29 percent of the contracts for which the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) reported, and close to the 30 percent goal set by the city. This marked an increase of $23 million dollars and one percentage point over fiscal year 2013 totals, when the city increased its participation goal from 25 to 30 percent.

Also included in this study, an analysis of the economic opportunity plans for public, private and nonprofit sector public works projects initiated between fiscal year 2009 and 2014. Econsult and Milligan found that 54 percent of the active and completed projects in the fiscal year 2014 report met or exceeded goals, up from 38 percent on projects reported in 2013. The report notes that 94 percent of all plans achieved at least 90 percent of the project goal, up from 85 percent reported in the previous year.

The study garnered some attention from the local media: Philly.com, Philly Voice, The Philadelphia Tribune, Philadelphia Business Journal.

To download the report, click here.

More information on the Office of Economic Opportunity website.