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Study: Tampa must diversify contracts

Businesses owned by minorities and women are underrepresented.

By JANET ZINK
Published May 2, 2006

TAMPA - The city falls short when it comes to hiring minority and female business owners for major contracts, according to a study released Monday.

Mason Tillman Associates, a California company, looked at contracts awarded between Oct. 1, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2004, in five categories, including construction, professional services and purchasing of material, equipment and supplies.

The results of the 18-month study commissioned by the city show that minority- and women-owned businesses are adequately represented in construction and construction-related subcontracts.

But the company found "statistically significant" differences between potential local candidates for major contracts and the work they received.

For example, minority- and women-owned businesses make up 49 percent of those that could handle professional services contracts worth $25,000 to $500,000, but received only 7 percent of the available city dollars. They comprise 46 percent of the pool for construction projects worth less than $25,000; they received only 14 percent.

The consultant recommended passing an ordinance to close the gaps.

Right now, an executive order addresses the issue by encouraging those who do business with the city to make a "good faith" effort to use minority subcontractors, said Greg Spearman, the city's purchasing director.

"The primary focus of the city's ... program has been in the subcontract area," he said. "We've been very, very successful in this area."

Mason Tillman also recommended weighting the bids of major contractors that are part of the underused groups; awarding all small contracts to minority- and women-owned businesses or those with a similar capacity; requiring all city departments to comply with minority contracting requirements; and separating large purchases into smaller contracts to open the door for small businesses.

City Council member Kevin White said he's not surprised: "We knew there was a disparity. That was one of the very first complaints I got from minority and women contractors upon being elected to office. Now that it's been quantified, we need to find a way to take action."

The City Council is scheduled to review the study Thursday at 11 a.m. at City Hall, 305 E Kennedy Blvd.

[Last modified May 2, 2006, 01:56:04]