SWA 2016 Disparity Study

The 2016 Disparity Study was undertaken to determine if a statistical disparity exists in the award of the SWA’s contracts to ready, willing and able market area Minority and Women Business Enterprises with regard to commodities, trade services, construction and professional services.

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach’s County Governing Board has accepted the findings of the comprehensive disparity study by Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd. for the purposes of further policy deliberations and is moving forward with the development of a race- and gender-neutral and race- and gender-conscious program to have minority and women owned and small business be more competitive on future contracts.

Contact Us

  1. Colleen M. Robbs, MPA
    Director, Equal Business Opportunity Office
    Email
    561-640-4000

Disparity Study Background


Pursuant to the SWA Governing Board’s direction in February 2014, staff developed a Request for Proposals for a Disparity Study. The RFP was issued in July 2014, with Proposals received in August 2014. Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd., a national expert in conducting disparity studies, was selected to design and perform the Disparity Study.

The Study was to determine if a statistical disparity exists in the award of the SWA’s contracts to ready, willing and able market area Minority and Women Business Enterprises with regard to commodities, trade services, construction and professional services.

The objectives of the Study were to:
  • Identify best practices that will help the SWA build business programs to stimulate the economic growth of local businesses
  • Increase participation of minority and women owned business enterprises on SWA contracts
The Study's components were to:
  • Collect Prime- and Sub-contracts
  • Analyze Prime- and Sub-contractor use
  • Identify willing and able market area business to participate
  • Collect anecdotal accounts 
  • Make recommendations to eliminate barriers to contracting
The Authority has received the Disparity Study Final Report. The report can be accessed below.

Disparity Study Documents (newest to oldest)

  1. Franklin Lee, Esq. Presentation for Econ Inclusion Policy Development (2-28-18)
  2. Mason Tillman SWA Study Findings Presentation (12-20-17)
  3. 2016 Disparity Study Final Report
  4. 2016 Disparity Study Appendix A
  5. Audio 2015-10-08 12PM Disparity Study Meeting (MP3 - 60MB)
  6. Audio 2015-10-08 9AM Disparity Study Meeting (MP3 - 59MB)
  7. Business Community Meetings Presentation (PDF - 1.6MB)
  8. Save-the-Date Disparity Study Business Community Meeting (PDF)
  9. Disparity Study Meeting eVite (PDF)