Promoting Equal
Access in California
State Contracting
California small and diverse businesses.
Including but not limited to minority, women, LGBTQ, and certified small and disabled-veteran-owned business enterprises that are ready, willing, and able to perform work for the state of California.
A disparity study helps ensure that state contracting is equitable and inclusive, supporting diversity in the state of California’s procurement processes.
The Study will analyze if there is statistical disparity between the number of available minority, women, LGBTQ, and certified small and disabled veteran-owned business enterprises providing architectural engineering and professional services, IT (goods and services), non-IT goods, and construction (availability). The Study will also include the number of businesses who contracted with the State as a prime contractor and/or subcontractor (utilization) during the period July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2023.
Sharing your contracting and bidding experience will provide valuable insights for the Study.
Local business owners can get involved by participating in community meetings, completing a business survey, and sharing state contracting and bidding experience in a virtual one-on-one interview.
Membership lists can be provided by local organizations representing small businesses.
Who is Conducting the Study
The California Department of General Services (DGS) is conducting a statewide procurement and contracting disparity study (the Study) authorized by Assembly Bill (AB) 2019 signed on September 29, 2022.
DGS has contracted with Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd., a leading public policy research and disparity study expert, to conduct the study. The study will analyze the contracting practices of the state of California and determine if all businesses, including but not limited to those owned by minorities, women, LGBTQ, and certified small and disabled veteran-owned businesses, have equal access to contracting opportunities with the State.
