Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Disparity Study?

Disparity studies are a means of providing a factual basis for determining whether there are equal opportunities for all firms in the procurement process and support the need, if any, for race or gender conscious, remedial procurement programs. The Study will engage in a review of Lone Star College’s procurement process, availability and utilization in contracts by all vendors, including minority- and woman -owned business enterprises to analyze whether race or gender has been a barrier in equal access to public contracts for all business owners.

This Study will cover City spending from FY2018- FY2023. If the actual utilization of firms is less than what is expected based on firms that are ready, willing, and able to perform on Lone Star College’s contracts (“Availability”), then a “disparity” exists. The Study will also determine whether the disparity is statistically significant enough to suggest whether any action should be taken and whether factors other than race or gender are likely to have caused the disparity.

What is the Study Process?

A disparity study process is broken out into several major parts, including statistical and econometric analysis, legal and purchasing practices analysis, private sector analysis, anecdotal evidence analysis, and findings and recommendations. GSPC is currently collecting data from the Lone Star College that will be necessary to determine utilization of firms in the marketplace. Principal Investigator, Dr. Vince Eagan and Legal Analyst, David Maher, Esq., will conduct policy review and interviews to understand the internal procurement processes and procedures. Our Data Analyst, Tereva Wilson will then analyze the data to determine the Lone Star College’s availability and utilization of the study groups. Senior Economist, Dr. Gregory N. Price, will then work with available data to determine, through econometric analyses and an analysis of the private sector, whether identified disparities can be attributed to the race and/or gender status of firm owners.

Anecdotal evidence is also crucial to any recommendations we may make to Lone Star College. Our anecdotal evidence includes the following:

  • Survey of business owners across all work categories. Firms throughout Lone Star College will be contacted; inviting them to complete the survey.
  • In-depth anecdotal interviews with businesses in the area, selected randomly from a list of available vendors.
  • Focus groups of randomly selected business owners to share their experiences in doing business in and with Lone Star College.
  • Email comments, Informational meetings and public hearings which will all be open to the public.

Check the website Events tab for times and locations of scheduled events.

Other relevant study processes include an analysis of the Lone Star College’s legal environment, both locally and federally and a purchasing practices analysis to better understand the procurement process. The Study team will conduct interviews with Lone Star College procurement staff regarding their procurement process and the current procurement policies to review whether any barriers to participation exist in the procurement process.

Finally, GSPC will compile a final report containing all the findings from the research above and will provide recommendations to the Lone Star College regarding the inclusion of Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB), Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Woman-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), Veteran-owned Business Enterprises (VBEs), and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business Enterprises (SDVBEs) in its procurement process.

Who is Griffin & Strong P.C.?

GSPC is a law and public policy consulting firm based in Atlanta, GA, with extensive experience in disparity research, program development and supplier diversity consulting. For more information, see: Who We Are or visit us at gspclaw.com. 

Why should I participate?

It is GSPC’s goal to have gathered the most representative anecdotal evidence as possible from all firms currently in business or desiring to do business with Lone Star College. We desire to understand both the practical challenges and barriers, as well as the positive experiences faced by businesses within the marketplace. Your participation would provide further insight into Lone Star College practices and may shed new light on an area for improvement or substantiate those recounted by others. It is only with your assistance that we will be able to provide the Lone Star College with substantive recommendations that can make a real impact on their policies, and your experiences, moving forward.

How do I participate?

GSPC will be conducting informational meetings and public communication sessions that are open to the public as well as several focus groups by invitation. We invite business owners and other community members to attend and share their experiences. We will also be posting information about the Study and all related events on this website and on our Twitter page, @GriffinStrong. Feel free to share your experiences with us on Twitter using the hashtag #LSCDisparityStudy or email us at LoneStarCollegeStudy@gspclaw.com.

You can also do the following:

  • State your experiences at scheduled meetings
    • Attend an informational meeting, public communication sessions and/or focus groups. We invite all, including non-business owners, that are interested, to attend and share their experiences at public meetings.
  • Tell us your story at your convenience
    • For those who may be generally uncomfortable providing their input in public arenas or who are unable to participate in any other way but, would like to share their experiences doing business with Lone Star College, GSPC welcomes comments and questions regarding the Study via email.
  • When can we read the Study?
    • The projected completion date for the entire Study is January 2025. Publication of the Study results will be determined by the Lone Star College and not by Griffin & Strong, P.C.