In 2002, Cincinnati Public Schools launched an economic disparity study to determine ways to work with more small and economically disadvantaged businesses when the district awards contracts for goods and services. Besides construction projects, contracts are awarded for procurement of supplies as well as nonprofessional and professional services.
CPS’ officials used results from the independent study to increase the number of people who have opportunities to bid for district contract awards. School leaders are striving to increase the district’s roster of underutilized businesses, which includes female- and minority-owned businesses and small businesses.
The study, conducted by D.J. Miller & Associates of Atlanta, Georgia, involved an analysis of trends connected with CPS’ contract awards and payments over the previous five years. The analysis included census data within the district’s boundaries, personal interviews with business owners and a mailed survey.
Cincinnati Public Schools has a long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion that began more than two decades ago. The CPS Board of Education adopted a policy in 1989 to improve the participation of minority and female vendors and contractors in the district’s procurement process.