Frequently Asked Questions

What is a disparity study?

A disparity study examines whether there are differences between:

• The percentage of dollars minority- and woman-owned businesses received on an organization’s prime contracts and subcontracts during a particular time period (utilization); and
• The percentage of dollars one would expect an organization to award to minority- and woman-owned businesses based on their availability to perform on the organization’s contracts and procurements (availability).

The comparison between the participation and availability of minority- and woman-owned businesses in an organization’s work is referred to as a disparity analysis. In addition to utilization, availability, and disparity analyses, disparity studies typically examine other information about:

• Legal considerations surrounding the implementation of woman- and minority-owned business programs;
• Conditions in the local marketplace for women, minorities, and woman- and minority-owned businesses;
• Contracting practices and business assistance programs the agency currently has in place; and
• Potential program measures for consideration as part of the agency’s implementation of woman- and minority-owned business programs.

When will the disparity study be completed?

The study will be completed in December 2025. For the study schedule, click here.

What types of contracts and procurements are being studied?

The disparity study will examine prime contracts and subcontracts that the Commonwealth awarded from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2024. The study will focus on construction, professional services, and non-professional services and supplies prime and subcontracts.

What will the Commonwealth do with information from the disparity study?

Information that the project team collects as a part of the 2025 Commonwealth of Virginia Study will help the Commonwealth with its implementation of the SWaM business Program. Among other information, the disparity study will provide: An independent, objective review of minority-, women- and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, as well as small and microbusinesses, in Commonwealth prime contracts and

• That information will be valuable to both Commonwealth leadership and to external groups that help to assess the Commonwealth’s efforts to encourage underrepresented business owners to bid on Commonwealth contracts.
• Information that is useful for setting annual overall aspirational goals for the participation of women- and minority-owned businesses; and
• Insights about how the Commonwealth might improve contracting opportunities for small and microbusinesses and how it could better encourage the participation of minority-, woman-, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses in the future.

Will the results of the disparity study be made public?

Yes, the results of the disparity study will be made public at the end of the process.

How can I participate in the disparity study process?

There are several ways in which you can participate in the 2025 Commonwealth of Virginia Disparity Study:

• Share your experiences working in Virginia or with the Commonwealth by emailing the project team directly at VAdisparity@bbcresearch.com
• Respond to our requests to complete a business survey. If you represent a business located in Virginia, you may be contacted as a part of the survey process. If you are contacted, please help the project team by participating!
• Respond to our requests to complete an in-depth interview. If you represent a business located in Virginia, you may be contacted as a part of the interview process. If you are contacted, please help the project team by participating!
• Call us if you have any unanswered questions about the study. For our contact information, click here.