City of Little Rock 311

City of Little Rock Disparity Study

The City of Little Rock commissioned BBC Research & Consulting (BBC) to conduct a disparity study to assess whether small businesses, person of color (POC)-owned businesses; woman-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, service-disabled veteran-, and disabled-owned businesses (small and diverse businesses) face any barriers as part of the City’s contracting processes. Information from the study will help the City evaluate and refine their efforts to encourage the participation of small and diverse businesses in their contracts and procurements.

Study Analyses

The disparity study will focus on construction, professional services, and non-professional services and supplies contracts and procurements the City awarded between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2023. The core purpose of the disparity study will be to examine whether there are any disparities between:

  • The percentage of contract and procurement dollars the City spent with small and diverse businesses during the study period (utilization); and
  • The percentage of contract dollars one might expect the City of Little Rock to award to small and diverse businesses based on their availability to perform specific types and sizes of City contracts and procurements (availability).

The study will also examine other information related to:

  • Marketplace conditions in Little Rock for small and diverse businesses;
  • Contracting policies and business assistance programs City agencies currently have in place; and
  • Program measures for the City to consider implementing to further encourage the participation of small and diverse businesses in its work.

Study Schedule

BBC initiated the disparity study in June 2024 and will complete the study at the end of May 2025. For the study schedule, click here.

Study Progress

The City will provide regular updates about BBC’s progress on the disparity study throughout its course. Please check back periodically for those updates.

Project Initiation

The City of Little Rock and BBC kicked off the disparity study in July 2024 with a series of meetings with various representatives from the City. BBC introduced the study, answered questions, and began the process of understanding contracting and vendor data the City maintains. For the initiation presentation, click here.

Data Collection

BBC has begun working with the City to collect data on contracts and procurements Little Rock awarded during the study period as well as information about the vendors that participated in that work.

Next Steps

BBC will engage in the following disparity study tasks in the coming months:

  • Public Meetings: The project team will conduct two virtual public meetings with relevant stakeholders; one on September 24 and one on October 1. During the public meetings, BBC will present information about the disparity study, answer any questions, and solicit participants for any verbal or written insights they would like to share regarding their experiences working in Little Rock. Please participate and make sure your insights are included as part of the study process! Visit the Events webpage for more information on those meetings.
  • Data Collection: The project team will continue to work with the City to collect data on the contracts and procurements the City of Little Rock awarded during the study period and the vendors that participated in that work.
  • Data Analysis: BBC will begin the data analysis process by compiling data it receives from the City and assessing the work types that account for the majority of Little Rock contracting and procurement as well as the geographical area that accounts for the vast majority of vendors that compete for that work (relevant geographic market area, or RGMA).
  • Availability Surveys: The project team will begin conducting availability surveys with businesses in the RGMA that perform work relevant to Little Rock’s contracting and procurement. If we contact your business, please participate in the survey process to help ensure an accurate and comprehensive study!
  • In-depth Interviews: The project team will begin conducting in-depth interviews with business owners throughout Little Rock. The interviews will provide BBC with detailed information about marketplace conditions related to starting a business, trying to grow a business, working with local public agencies, and a variety of other topics. If we contact your business, please participate in the interview process to share your thoughts and experiences from doing business in Little Rock.