ADOT Announces Disparity Study Finalization

Source: Arizona Department of Transportation 
The Arizona Department of Transportation has finalized the Disparity Study report and the Federal Highway Administration Overall Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Goal and Methodology for federal fiscal years 2021-2022. 
Based on the results of the Disparity Study, which took into consideration comments and input from the public, ADOT will adopt a 12.89 percent DBE goal for federal fiscal years 2021 through 2023 for FHWA-funded contracts; 8.17 percent of which is expected to be accomplished through race- and gender-conscious means (DBE contract goals) and the remaining 4.72 percent to be accomplished through race-neutral means (ADOT outreach, training and program efforts). The goal will be submitted to FHWA for approval and implementation by October 1st, 2020. 
ADOT recognizes the uncertainty created by the current health pandemic and the potential impact to the construction industry and its businesses, both DBEs and non-DBEs. However, at this time, there is not enough data to support a notion that any portion of the industry is differentially impacted that it requires a re-evaluation of the DBE goal at this time. In the future, if there is sufficient data to support a re-evaluation of the DBE goal, ADOT will work with FHWA to determine how and when it can do so in accordance with regulations outlined in 49 CFR Part 26.  
The final Disparity Study documents and Overall Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal and Methodology for federal fiscal years 2021-2022, along with answers to frequently asked questions related to the study submitted during the public comment period by firms, individuals and organizations will be posted on the BECO website by September 1st, 2020. Industry stakeholders will be notified when the documents are posted to the website.