Published by Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd.

The authors performed a disparity analysis on all prime contracts and subcontracts awarded by Miami-Dade County (Florida) from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2011. The analysis found statistically significant underutilization (“disparity”) at both the prime contract and subcontract levels for several minority groups. Disparity was found for African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Women Business Enterprise construction prime contractors on contracts valued under $250,000. Race and gender-neutral recommendations are offered to increase M/WBE access to the County’s prime and subcontracts and to track, monitor, report, and verify M/WBE prime contractor and subcontractor utilization. These recommendations are address administrative strategies, pre-award, post-award, website, and data management recommendations.