Arlington County Virginia Disparity Study
Arlington County Virginia Disparity Study
WELCOME
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Arlington County (Arlington) conducted a comprehensive Disparity Study (Study), led by MGT Consulting Group (MGT). The overall purpose of the Disparity Study was to understand the effects of race, ethnicity, and gender on businesses’ ability to do business in Arlington’s marketplace – both public and private sectors, acquire capital and win contracts or subcontracts in the markets in which Arlington does business. This study focused on small, women-owned, minority-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned (SWaMDV) businesses who conduct business within the Arlington region.
As part of that process, Arlington collected data regarding the availability of firms owned by minorities, women, small, physically disabled, and disadvantaged persons, and the utilization of these firms as contractors and subcontractors in Arlington’s marketplace. In addition to analyses of quantitative data, the Disparity Study also examined qualitative data regarding discriminatory barriers or behaviors (to the extent that it existed) provided by business owners, professional organizations, and other marketplace stakeholders.
ALL business owners were encouraged to provide information about their experiences, particularly concerning discrimination while doing business or attempting to do business with Arlington and other public or private entities in Arlington’s market area. Ways that businesses were able to participate can be found on the “Business Owner Engagement” page below.
Business Owner Engagement
Arlington County area businesses were invited to join an informational session to learn more about the study and participate in one of the several engagement opportunities:
Phase One:
- Live Informational Session (Fall 2023)
- Business Information Session (Virtual & In-Person)
- Introduced the study objectives and listened to businesses’ experiences of doing business or attempting to do business in Arlington’s marketplace.
- Businesses were encouraged to attend an information session as well as register for one of the engagement opportunities available within Phases Two and Three.
Phase Two:
- Live Conversational Engagement
- Industry-specific Virtual Focus Groups (Fall 2023 – Winter 2024)
- Industry-specific groups where participants of the same industry provided their experiences in a small group discussion.
- 1:1 Virtual Interview (Winter 2024)
- Allowed businesses more latitude for additional information on their experiences.
Phase Three:
- Traditional Survey Engagement (Winter 2024 – Summer 2024)
- Throughout the engagement, businesses are also invited to contact us via email at arlingtoncountyvadisparitystudy@mgt.us or complete the Contact Form.
- Reasonable ADA accommodations or Spanish translation will be made available upon a 3-day advance notice received by MGT. Additional languages may be provided if requested within a 3-day advance notice to MGT.
Throughout the engagement, businesses were also invited to contact us via email at arlingtoncountyvadisparitystudy@mgt.us or complete the Contact Form.
Reasonable ADA accommodations or translation services were made available upon a 3-day advance notice received by MGT.
Business Information Sessions
MGT held three business information sessions where attendees were introduced to the study objectives and listened to businesses’ experiences of doing business or attempting to do business in Arlington’s marketplace.
| Session Format | Date |
|---|---|
| Virtual Only | October 11, 2023 |
| Virtual Only | October 12, 2023 |
| In-Person Only | October 24, 2024 |
Industry-Specific Focus Groups
MGT held five industry-specific focus groups where participants with the same industry background shared their experiences winning or bidding on contracts or subcontracts in Arlington County in a small group discussion.
| Industry | Date |
|---|---|
| Other Services and Goods | November 8, 2023 |
| Non-Profits | November 9, 2023 |
| Construction Primes | December 5, 2023 |
| Construction-Related Professional Services | December 6, 2023 |
| Construction Subcontractors | January 23, 2024 |
One-on-One Virtual Interview
Businesses had more latitude for additional information on their experiences. Businesses could sign up for an interview with MGT’s Partner Small Planet Works or they may have been contacted by Small Planet Works directly if their business was in the random selection.
Business Survey
Businesses were encouraged to let MGT know what their experiences were winning or bidding on contracts or subcontracts in Arlington County. The County looked to understand the effects of race, ethnicity, and gender on businesses’ ability to do business, acquire capital, or bonding in Arlington. MGT conducted a business survey where businesses could let their voice be heard! Businesses could complete the survey online or over the phone with one of MGT’s Partners Greensboro Staffing and Skybase7.
Input submitted via email, or through the website, was and is directed to the MGT team only. Responses are shared with Arlington County anonymously in the aggregate and do not disclose any personal information.
Input submitted via email, or the website is directed to the MGT team only. Responses are shared anonymously in the aggregate and do not disclose any personal information.
For More Information about the Study (24/7)
Business owners could submit their comments, regarding their experiences doing business, or attempting to do business, in Arlington’s marketplace via the Disparity Study Contact Form.
Contact Us
Disparity Study Contact Form – ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DIRECTED TO MGT CONSULTING TEAM ONLY AND SENT TO arlingtoncountyvadisparitystudy@mgt.us. Responses are shared anonymously in the aggregate and do not disclose any personal information.
You may use this form to submit written comments about your experiences with Arlington County. Please provide details of your experiences doing business, or attempting to do business, with Arlington or in the marketplace. Please be specific in your comments regarding the entities involved, as well as the date and location for the experiences that you share.