NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Today is the deadline for businesses in the New Orleans metro area to complete a survey of their experiences with city contracts. But there are other ways to participate in a study of whether minority- and women-owned companies are getting a fair shake — and if not, what can be done to give them a better chance.
David Keen of Keen Independent Research says businesses can comment by email, U.S. mail, the website, a study hotline and public meetings.
The study began in January, and will analyze contracts awarded from 2012 through 2016.
Disparity study results will help the city determine if its existing State and Local Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SLDBE) Program is effective and if additional action is needed. The study began in January 2017.
Preliminary results are expected in December, with a final report due in February.
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As part of the 2017 City of New Orleans Disparity Study, Keen Independent Research is conducting two public meetings as an opportunity to collect input for the study. Rescheduled due to Hurricane Harvey, the public meetings will be held on Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Training, Resource and Assistive Technology Center located at Oliver St. Pe' Center Room 101 at the University of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Dr., from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
During the public meetings, participants will have the opportunity to voice their experiences with local procurement opportunities as a part of the research component of the study.
"The public meetings and surveys are critical components of our research process," said Keen. "It is imperative to hear directly from business owners about their experiences in the New Orleans marketplace."
