The City of Seattle is conducting a Disparity Study for its Women- and Minority Owned Business Enterprise (“WMBE”) program and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) program to ensure that WMBEs and DBEs have equal access to contracting opportunities and that the City’s current initiatives remain legally defensible and administratively successful.

The study will examine whether WBE, MBE and DBE contract goals may be necessary to ensure a level playing field for all firms. This includes statistical evidence of disparities, if any, between the availability of WMBEs and their utilization on City and FTA funded contracts and related subcontracts and throughout the Seattle area economy as a whole.

The study will further examine qualitative experiences and solicit suggestions of business owners and stakeholder groups for possible enhancements. Your participation is therefore critical to informing the study results and recommendations. 

Public Information Webinar:

 Tuesday November 9, 2021, 7:00 PM – Register Here

 Tuesday November 16, 2021, 5:00 PM – Register Here

The public information webinar will introduce the study team, present the study elements and methodology, describe the study process, and outline how stakeholders and business owners can participate.

The City welcomes the participation of all business owners, those who are currently doing business with the City, as well as those interested in contracting opportunities.

Please join us to learn about this important project and how you can participate.