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Office of Economic Development reports steps toward implementing disparity-study recommendations; data and legislation remain next priorities
Summary
The Office of Economic Development outlined outreach, training and a software rollout to implement recommendations from a Miller3 disparity study; staff said contract-compliance tracking and legislative clarifications remain to be completed.
Wilmington 202125 City economic development officials updated the Finance and Economic Development Committee on steps taken to implement 26 recommendations from a disparity study by Miller3, including outreach, a new certification database and contractor training; staff said better contract-compliance data and potential legislative changes remain priorities.
"We now have an online version of our certification tool," Office of Economic Development staff said, and the office reported it plans to add a contract-compliance module in the spring so the city can monitor subcontracting commitments after awards.
Why it matters: The disparity study examined whether city contracting disadvantaged ready, willing and able Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms during fiscal years 20162020 and produced recommendations intended to increase participation of minority- and women-owned firms in city contracting.
Actions and progress reported
- Technology and data: The office said it replaced a legacy Microsoft Access system with a B2Gnow-hosted certification module (live since July) and is pursuing B2Gnow's contract-compliance module, targeted for rollout in the spring, to better track post-award subcontracting and provide reliable data for measuring DBE utilization.
- Outreach and capacity building: Staff described sustained outreach (trade shows, regional chambers, the Eastern Minority Supplier Diversity Council) and participation in national and regional supplier-diversity conferences. The office hosted a Turner Construction School of Construction Management in 2023 and plans a repeat session to help smaller contractors qualify for larger jobs.
- Department training and vendor matchmaking: The office reported procurement and department trainings and a planned vendor forum with Public Works to connect top prime contractors with certified DBEs for subcontracts, mentorships and joint ventures.
- Access to capital and payment issues: Staff said they are exploring faster payment terms for primes that meet DBE goals, low-cost loan mechanisms (including WEDCO and set-aside dollars) and bonding assistance; local bonding advisors have worked with at least one DBE to secure a larger contract.
Outstanding issues and next steps
Officials told the committee that legal and national developments have affected the timing and scope of some race- or gender-conscious measures. The office cited the Supreme Court's affirmative-action rulings and recent federal executive orders as complicating factors and said it is coordinating with the city's law department on any changes that require legislative or state-level action.
Staff said improved measurement of DBE spend requires the contract-compliance module and additional data integration; they committed to returning with more precise procurement-spend figures once contract compliance is in place.
