NASSAU & SUFFOLK COUNTIES
DISPARITY STUDY

On June 29, 2021, Mason Tillman Associates moderated two Virtual Business Community Meetings discussing the Nassau and Suffolk Counties Disparity Study. Nassau and Suffolk counties contracted with Mason Tillman to conduct an independent evaluation of their utilization of minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) on county contracts from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019. This utilization will be compared to the availability of ready, willing, and able MWBEs in the market area to determine if a statistical disparity exists. The Study will also assess policies related to maximizing service-disabled veteran-owned business (SDVOB) and MWBE participation.

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PRACTICE AREAS

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Disparity Study?

The Disparity Study is an evaluation of the counties’ utilization of minority and women-owned business enterprises on the counties' contracts from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019. Once the utilization is determined, it will be compared to the availability of ready, willing, and able MWBEs in the market area to determine if a statistical disparity exists.

How will the counties benefit from the Study?

The information in the Study will potentially increase the number of bidders on county contracts. It will also determine the percentage of county contracts awarded to MWBEs and SDVOBs.

How will Mason Tillman identify available businesses?

To identify available businesses, Mason Tillman Associates will conduct a broad-based business outreach program. The counties' contract records, certification lists, outreach meetings, and trade and professional association lists will be used to identify available businesses.

What guidelines exist to help direct the Study?

The Study will be guided by the United States Supreme Court’s 1989 decision in City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co., 488 U.S. 469 (1989) and its progeny.

Which industries are being studied?

The industries being studied are construction, professional services, architecture and engineering, and goods and services.

How can local business owners get involved?

Local business owners can get involved by completing a business survey. They can also participate in a telephone interview to share contracting and bidding experiences and/or provide membership lists from local business associations.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY

OUR VISION

THE STUDY

Nassau and Suffolk counties have commissioned Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd., a professional services consultant, to perform an availability and disparity study. With its 28 years of disparity study experience, Mason Tillman is the best-qualified consultant in the nation. The Study will analyze both counties' utilization of minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOBs) from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019. In addition, the Study will identify MWBEs and SDVOBs in the market area that are ready, willing, and able to do business with both counties. A successful study requires the involvement of local businesses that are ready, willing, and able to perform public contracts. Mason Tillman, along with its team of local subcontractors, will interview business owners concerning their experiences contracting with Nassau and Suffolk counties. If you are a business owner, we invite you to participate in the Study and contact us for more information.