ADOT Holding Disparity Study Hearing

A study completed by the Arizona Department of Transportation will help the agency to comply with federal guidelines on using minority, women and other socially and economically-disadvantaged individuals – who are certified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) – on federally-funded contracts.The “Availability Analysis and Disparity Study” recommends, and ADOT proposes, a DBE goal of 8% – achieved through 3.1% race-conscious and 4.9% race-neutral means – for federally-funded construction, architectural and engineering contracts. Under the guidelines proposed by the study, African American, Hispanic American and Asian American firms would be eligible for race-conscious goals for construction contracts. African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American and women-owned firms would be eligible for race-conscious goals for architectural and engineering contracts.ADOT's disparity study was prompted by a U.S. Court of Appeals decision, which resulted in states being required to conduct a study to evaluate the availability and proposed use of certified DBE firms before implementing race-conscious DBE goals.A planned public hearing will give disadvantaged and minority business owners and others an opportunity to ask questions about the study and provide input on the findings and recommendations.The public hearing will be held from 1 pm to 3 pm on April 16th, at the ADOT Human Resource Development Center - Grand Canyon Meeting Room, 1130 N. 22nd Ave. in Phoenix.An overview presentation will begin at 1:30 pm. ADOT staff and study consultants will be available to discuss the study scope, findings and recommendations.ADOT is requesting public comments on the proposed goal and the methodology used to develop it. Comments will be taken at the hearing and can also be sent to: Mr. Eddie Edison, ADOT Civil Rights Administrator, c/o NW Valley Community Outreach Team, 1146 N. Mesa Drive, #102-298, Mesa, Az. 85201, by fax to (480) 890-0013 or via e-mail to ProjectUpdate@Lewin-Associates.com. To be included in the public record, comments should be received no later than May 23.Copies of the disparity study are available for review the ADOT Civil Rights Office,1135 N. 22nd Ave., 2nd floor in Phoenix; Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix; Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave. in Tucson; and Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library, 300 W. Aspen Ave. in Flagstaff. The study and draft recommendations are also available at azdot.gov.For more information about the study or the hearings, call the ADOT Civil Rights Office at (602) 712-7761. To request special meeting accommodations for persons with disabilities, call (480) 890-3055.