JEFFERSON CITY - The State of Missouri Office of Administration (OA) is holding a public meeting on January 29, 2014 regarding the State of Missouri’s Disparity Study for minority and women owned business enterprise (M/WBE) program. As part of the disparity study process, firms, stakeholders, organizations and other interested persons are invited to the public meeting. The meeting will last approximately two hours.
The public meeting will allow for the gathering of input from businesses, community organizations and individuals regarding their experiences in doing business with the State through its M/WBE program, and to help identify barriers to the full and fair inclusion of all firms in State contracting opportunities. The meeting will also include a presentation on the study’s elements and will provide an open forum for comments and questions regarding the study process.
The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, in Room 510 of the Harry S. Truman Building in Jefferson City. Remote access will be available in St. Louis at the Wainwright State Office Building, 111 North 7th Street, Room 923, and in Kansas City at the Fletcher Daniel State Office Building, 615 East 13th Street, Room 503. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. In the coming months, business owner and stakeholder interviews will also be held in Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield.
The purpose of a disparity study is to compare the total number of M/WBE in Missouri to the number being used in state government contracts. The public’s insight and experiences with the State and its contracting process will help the Office of Administration to identify potential program improvements and support Missouri’s strategic objectives to increase collaboration and promote economic growth for all elements of our State.
The study will be conducted in conjunction with local sub consultants from St. Louis and Kansas City. The study will be conducted by Colette Holt & Associates, a nationally-recognized firm that specializes in disparity studies and minority and women business programs.