Disparity Study Update

The City of Cincinnati is soliciting proposals for a Disparity Study to identify statistically significant disparities between the availability of minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises and their actual utilization as prime and subcontractors for supplies, services, and construction contracts. The selected consultant will analyze the market area to determine if the City has played an active or passive role in discrimination and must provide a final report with race- and gender-conscious remedies that comply with J.A. Croson v. City of Richmond and other relevant jurisprudence. The project includes a required final report to be delivered within 15 months of contract signing and an optional construction workforce demographic and labor market analysis. The contract will be awarded to the most advantageous proposal based on a weighted scoring system focusing on technical approach and methodology, data collection, cost, experience, key personnel qualifications, and the project management plan. Offerors must submit their own itemized cost estimates as the City has not provided a fixed budget. Required submission documents include corporate contact information, an affidavit of accuracy, a subcontracting outreach program with an MBE/WBE goals packet, and an Equal Employment Opportunity form. All proposals must be submitted via the Bonfire portal by December 15, 2026, and must adhere to City of Cincinnati Municipal Code Chapter 325 and Ohio Public Records Laws.