What is a disparity study?

A disparity study examines whether there are differences between:

• The percentage of dollars person of color- (POC-) and woman-owned businesses received on an organization’s prime contracts and subcontracts during a particular time period (utilization); and
• The percentage of dollars one would expect an organization to award to POC- and woman-owned businesses based on their availability to perform on the organization’s contracts and procurements (availability). The comparison between the participation and availability of POC- and woman-owned businesses in an organization’s work is referred to as a disparity analysis. In addition to utilization, availability, and disparity analyses, disparity studies typically examine other information about:
• Legal considerations surrounding the implementation of woman- and POC-owned business programs;
• Conditions in the local marketplace for women, POCs, and woman- and POC-owned businesses;
• Contracting practices and business assistance programs the agency currently has in place; and
• Potential program measures for consideration as part of the agency’s implementation of woman- and POC-owned business programs.

When will the disparity study be completed?

The study will be completed in April 2025. For the study schedule, click here.

What types of contracts and procurements are being studied?

The disparity study will examine prime contracts, subcontracts, and concessions agreements Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) awarded between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2023. The study will examine construction, professional services, and non-professional services and supplies prime contracts and subcontracts.

What will LAWA do with information from the disparity study?

Information from the disparity study will help inform LAWA’s implementations of the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Program. Among other information, the disparity study will provide:

• An independent, objective review of the participation of POC- and woman-owned businesses in LAWA’s prime contracts, subcontracts, and concessions agreements. That information will be valuable to both LAWA leadership and external groups that help assess LAWA’s efforts to encourage underrepresented business owners to bid on LAWA contracts.
• Information that is useful for setting annual overall aspirational goals for the participation of women- and POC-owned businesses; and
• Insights about how LAWA might improve contracting opportunities for local businesses and how it could better encourage the participation of women- and POC-owned businesses in the future.

Will the results of the disparity study be made public?

Yes, the results of the disparity study will be made public at the end of the process.

How can I participate in the disparity study process?

There are several ways in which you can participate in the 2025 Los Angeles World Airports Disparity Study:

• Share your experiences working in the Los Angeles area or with LAWA by emailing the project team directly at lawadisparitystudy@bbcresearch.com
• Join us for a public meeting where you can learn more about the disparity study process, ask questions, and share insights about your experiences working in the marketplace. For details about public meetings, click here .
• Respond to our requests to complete a business survey. If you represent a business located in the Los Angeles area, you may be contacted as a part of the survey process. If you are contacted, please help the project team by participating!
• Respond to our requests to complete an in-depth interview. If you represent a business located in the Los Angeles area, you may be contacted as a part of the interview process. If you are contacted, please help the project team by participating!
• Call us if you have any unanswered questions about the study. For our contact information, click here .