What is a disparity study?

A disparity study helps determine equality. Studies are used by organizations to determine whether there are equal opportunities for all business owners, including minority- and woman-owned businesses.

The fact-based study analyzes the vendor selection process and determines if there is a need for new race or gender conscious processes to help correct any gaps.

The study will review the State of Connecticut’s procurement process, availability, usage, and participation in contracts by all vendors to analyze whether race or gender is a barrier in equal access to public contracts for all business owners.

The study will also look at spending from fiscal year 2017 through fiscal year 2021. If the actual selection of firms is less than expected based on the interest of business owners then a disparity exists. The study will also determine whether the disparity is statistically significant enough to require action and whether factors other than race or gender could have caused the disparity.