Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) to modify, by extending, an existing disparity study contract with Mason Tillman Associates, LTD. Pursuant to Ordinance 0075-2017, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion entered into contract with Mason Tillman Associates, LTD to conduct a disparity study on behalf of the City of Columbus. This study will analyze city procurement operations to determine whether there is a disparity between the availability of minority and women-owned business enterprises (MBE/WBEs) and the city's utilization of those businesses. The last disparity study was conducted over a decade ago and Columbus has seen a tremendous amount of growth since then. The findings of this study will guide and inform ODI's work to ensure fairness, equity, and inclusion in the city's procurement practices.
This modification is necessary to extend the contract term through December 31, 2020. The City conducted an additional data review to ensure the validity of the underlying data and the resulting conclusions prior to the issuance of a final report. This data review was beneficial and productive, however it required additional project time. As such, Mason Tillman requires additional time to finalize the study conclusions as well as assisting the City with operationalizing agreed upon recommendations.
Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd is a nationally recognized African American owned consulting firm that has conducted disparity studies for numerous cities throughout the country. They have conducted more than 134 studies which represent roughly 30 percent of the disparity studies completed since Croson was decided on January 23, 1989.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an extension of an existing disparity study contract Mason Tillman Associates, LTD. No additional contract funding is being requested at this time.
Emergency action is requested so that the disparity study can be fin...
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