With the release of a study that shows only 13.4% of all state contracts were awarded to woman- and minority-owned businesses in Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam on Friday threw support behind a reframed state bill that would raise that percentage to at least 23.1% of state contracts.
The bill would set a similar goal for all state-certified small, woman- and minority-owned (SWaM) businesses to receive at least 42% of all state contracts, which range from construction work to professional services and goods. That number would include all certified small businesses, including those owned by white men.
In July 2019, Northam ordered a disparity study focusing on state contracts and subcontracts’ distribution among businesses owned by women of all races and businesses owned by minorities. The report, conducted last year by BBC Research & Consulting, studied all contracts awarded by the state between July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2019.
