Department: Economic Equity and Opportunity
Department Head/Elected Official: Estella Gonzalez, Executive Director
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable):
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable):
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request by the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity for discussion and possible action to expand eligibility for the ARPA Disparity Study Fund Grant Program to include additional entities in Harris County.
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Background and Discussion:
On November 30, 2021, the Commissioners Court approved a court order to create a fund allocating $200,000 to independent school districts and community colleges in Harris County to conduct disparity studies regarding the utilization of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBEs). The fund's goal is to encourage the mitigation of racial and gender disparities where they may exist in public procurement practices and decrease barriers often experienced by M/WBEs.
On April 5, 2022, the Commissioners Court approved the program design for the Disparity Study Fund grant program and on May 24, 2022, the Commissioners Court approved the fund to be increased to $2 million using ARPA FLEX funds.
On January 31, 2023, the Commissioners Court approved the Agreement to award Lone Star College up to $500K to conduct a localized disparity study. Then, on August 8, 2023, the Court also approved the awarding of Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, and Spring ISD up to $200,000 per District for a total of $600,000.
Currently, the program has $900,000 of funding available. Amidst the outreach, additional entities not originally included in the list of eligible organizations have communicated interest in applying for the grant program. The Department of Economic Equity and O...
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