2022 Caddo Disparity Study

Caddo Parish, the City of Shreveport and the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission seek to level the playing field for minority- and women-owned firms in public procurement.

In summer 2021, the Parish, City and Port Commission engaged Keen Independent Research to examine participation of minority- and women-owned firms in their contracts as well as conditions in the marketplace. This disparity study will help each entity assess their current equity efforts and identify any new measures needed to encourage participation of diverse businesses in their contracts.

Study team member Customer Research International (CRI) will survey firms in the region to identify companies available for those contracts. Keen Independent Research will then perform a disparity analysis that compares utilization and availability of minority- and women-owned firms in public agency work.

The study team will also interview businesses and trade associations about conditions in the region.

Study Team

Keen Independent Research is a national economic consulting firm specializing in equity studies for state and local governments. Principals Annette Humm Keen and David Keen are leading this assignment. Mr. Keen has led more than 100 disparity studies and has served as an expert witness successfully defending contract equity programs in court. Keen Independent Research has performed disparity studies for the cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Alexandria.

The team includes Scroggins Consulting from Shreveport and the law firm Holland & Knight.

Schedule

The disparity study will be completed in spring 2022.

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