A 2024 Disparity Study Discussion: Share Your Experiences with Municipal Contracting

Calling all business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone who has participated in City contracting. The City of Virginia Beach is updating its disparity study from 2018. The new study will provide a benchmark to score the City on its efforts to encourage underrepresented business owners, including women, minorities, veterans and those who own small businesses, to bid on City contracts and help determine what, if any, improvements are needed to optimize the process. 

In 2017, the City of Virginia Beach embarked upon a year-long disparity study to determine the number of businesses eligible to bid on City Contracts, examine their actual participation in City contracting and assess local marketplace conditions. Since the conclusion of the disparity study in 2018 and results provided to City Council, the City has enacted changes to move the needle that have proven successful and exceeded some of the aspirational goals. This follow-up study will evaluate and refine the recommendations previously put in place. 

Provide Your Input

Business owners are invited to participate in one of three upcoming public meetings to share their experiences with City contracting. During the public hearings, BBC Research & Consulting will present information about the disparity study, answer questions, and solicit participants for verbal or written testimony that they would like to share. The meetings offer in-person and virtual options. 

• Oct. 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m., The HIVE, 140 Independence Blvd.
• Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to noon. The HIVE, 140 Independence Blvd.
• Oct. 16, noon to 2 p.m., Virtual via Zoom  

Feedback also can be provided to the study team via email at VBdisparitystudy@BBCresearch.com.

Your insights will help the City continue to improve its efforts to increase contracting opportunities for small-, women-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses. Learn more at VirginiaBeach.gov/DisparityStudy.