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Town releases procurement disparity study; consultants recommend outreach, data reform and possible sheltered‑market options
Summary
A consultant team presented a procurement disparity study to the Select Board finding statistical disparities by race and gender in certain contracting categories and recommending a package of outreach, paperwork reforms, tracking tools and — if the board wishes — a legally framed sheltered‑market approach under state law.
The Town of Brookline received a procurement disparity study presentation on March 5 from consultants and town finance staff that identified gaps in participation by minority‑ and women‑owned businesses and outlined options the town could adopt to increase equity in contracting.
Lincoln Heinemann, the town’s director of finance, introduced the report and said the study — done by Griffin & Strong and covering fiscal years 2018–2022 — examines procurement across categories including construction, architecture and engineering, professional services, goods and other services. Griffin & Strong and town staff said the Boston metropolitan region was analyzed because at least 75% of Brookline’s spend is sourced in that market.
Nut graf: The consultant reported a factual basis for disparities in some industry categories and presented a menu of remedies:…
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