As a recipient of United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) funds, the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) implements the Federal Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) program, which is designed to encourage the participation of person of color (POC)- and women-owned businesses in an agency's USDOT-funded contracting. In compliance with the requirements of the Federal DBE program and case Law surrounding the constitutionality of contracting and procurement programs that use race- and gender-conscious programs, BART commissioned BBC Research and Consulting (BBC) to conduct a disparity study to assess whether POC- or women-owned businesses face any barriers as part of BART’s contracting processes. Information from the study will help BART evaluate and refine its effort to encourage the participation of disadvantaged businesses in its contracts and procurements and help inform any refinements BART might make to its implementation of the Federal DBE program.
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Study Analyses
The disparity study will focus on construction, professional services, transit services, and non-professional services and supplies contracts and procurements BART awarded between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2024. The core purpose of the disparity study will be to examine whether there are any disparities between:
- The percentage of contract and procurement dollars BART spent with POC- and woman-owned businesses during the study period (utilization); and
- The percentage of contract dollars one might expect BART to award to POC- and woman-owned businesses based on their availability to perform specific types and sizes of BART contracts and procurements (availability).
The study will also examine other information related to:
- Legal considerations surrounding BART’s implementation of the Federal DBE Program;
- Marketplace conditions throughout the Bay Area for POCs, women, and POC-, and woman-owned businesses;
- Contracting policies and business assistance programs BART currently has in place; and
- Program measures for BART to consider implementing to further encourage the participation of POC- and woman-owned businesses in its work.
Study Schedule
BBC initiated the disparity study in February 2025 and will complete the study at the end of January 2026. For the study schedule, click here.
Study Progress
BART will provide regular updates about BBC’s progress on the disparity study throughout its course. Please check back periodically for those updates.
Project initiation. BART and BBC kicked off the disparity study in February 2025 with a series of meetings with various BART departments and representatives. BBC introduced the study, answered questions, and began the process of understanding contracting and vendor data BART maintains. For the initiation presentation, click here.
Data collection. BBC has begun working with BART to collect data on contracts and procurements BART awarded during the study period as well as information about the vendors that participated in that work.
Next steps. BBC will engage in the following disparity study tasks in the coming months:
- Public meetings. The project team will conduct four virtual public meetings. During the public meetings, BBC will present information about the disparity study, answer any questions, and solicit participants for any verbal or written insights they would like to share regarding their experiences working in the Bay Area. Please participate and make sure your insights are included as part of the study process! View the Events tab for more information.
- Data collection. The project team will continue to work with BART to collect data on the contracts and procurements BART awarded during the study period and the vendors that participated in that work.
- Data analysis. BBC will begin the data analysis process by compiling data it receives from BART and assessing the subindustries that account for the majority of BART’s contracting and procurement; the geographical area that accounts for the vast majority of vendors that compete for that work (relevant geographic market area, or RGMA); and the percentage of total contract dollars that POC- and woman-owned businesses received on BART prime contracts and subcontracts during the study period.
- Availability surveys. The project team will begin conducting availability surveys with businesses in the RGMA that perform work relevant to BART contracting and procurement. If we contact your business, please participate in the survey process to help ensure an accurate and comprehensive study!
- In-depth interviews. The project team will begin conducting in-depth interviews with business owners throughout the Bay Area. The interviews will provide BBC with detailed information about marketplace conditions related to starting a business, trying to grow a business, working with local public agencies, and a variety of other topics. If we contact your business, please participate in the interview process to provide your insights and experiences!
Project Team
The project team for the 2026 San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Disparity Study includes five firms that possess expertise directly relevant to conducting the study in a manner that meets the highest industry and legal standards.
BBC Research & Consulting (BBC)
BBC, which will serve as the prime consultant for the study, is a 55-year-old economic and diversity research firm based in Denver, Colorado. The firm has completed more than 150 disparity studies for states, cities, transportation agencies, and other government organizations across the country. BBC is also considered a national expert in helping organizations develop and refine their implementations of small and diverse business programs. The firm has provided expert testimony related to disparity studies and diverse business programs on several different occasions, most recently as part of the successful defense of the California Department of Transportation’s implementation of the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. For more information about BBC, please visit www.bbcresearch.com.
Primary contacts:
Sameer Bawa | Managing Director | BBC Research & Consulting | (t) 303-321-2547, ext. 247 | (e) [email protected]
Betsy Sava | Project Manager | BBC Research & Consulting | (t) 303-321-2547, ext. 244 | (e) [email protected]
GCAP Services (GCAP). GCAP is a Hispanic American-owned supportive services firm based in Costa Mesa and Sacramento, California. The firm is certified as a DBE and Small Business (Micro) through the California Department of General Services. The firm has substantial experience supporting organizations that implement small business and POC- and woman-owned business programs. Its staff has experience bringing innovation and best practices to small and diverse business programs, including in the areas of outreach and awareness; race- and gender-conscious and race- and gender-neutral program development; readiness assessment; program implementation; compliance, reporting, monitoring, and training; and data collection and analysis for disparity studies. For the 2026 BART Disparity Study, GCAP will review BART’s programs and policies, provide detailed recommendations, and assist with goal development and report writing.
IRML Consulting (IRML). IRML is a San Francisco-based, Micro Local Business Enterprise-certified consulting firm specializing in advancing diversity, equity, and small business opportunities by creating programs for historically disadvantaged individuals and communities. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, IRML is a leader in developing and implementing policies and programs to engage emerging and existing businesses. The firm is dedicated to empowering POC-owned, woman-owned, and disadvantaged businesses by providing the tools and resources they need to navigate public- and private-sector contracting, implementing strategies for stakeholder engagement, and contractor relations to ensure client success. IRML’s services include networking and engagement; public relations and communications; diversity, equity, and inclusion advocacy; and event planning. For the 2026 BART Disparity Study, IRML will conduct in-depth interviews and focus groups with business owners and other stakeholders in the marketplace to collect anecdotal evidence about potential barriers in the region.
Davis Research. Since its inception in 1970, Davis Research has grown to be one of the leading survey data collection firms in the nation. The firm consistently delivers sophisticated telephone and web-based surveys with seamless programming, supremely qualified surveyors, and a customized look and feel. In addition, it offers professional computer-aided telephone interviewing services from its industry-best call centers. Davis Research’s success has come from partnering with its clients to deliver custom survey solutions that best answer research questions. For the 2026 BART Disparity Study, Davis Research will be responsible for programming and fielding surveys with businesses in the local marketplace in connection with the availability and utilization analyses.
Rosales Law Partners (RLP). RLP is a Hispanic American, woman-owned legal and policy firm specializing in contracting diversity, public law, and representing government agencies. RLP has a national reputation for its extensive experience in the disparity study field, including the legal defense of POC- and woman-owned business programs in the Ninth Circuit. The firm is certified as a DBE and SB(Micro) through the California Department of General Services. The firm’s attorneys have decades of experience related to the development and enforcement of business participation programs, which was acquired through their experience as in-house government lawyers and managers as well as outside legal counsel and consultants to various public agencies. For the 2026 BART Disparity Study, RLP will develop the legal framework and consult on legal issues and disparity study recommendations.
Events
The project team is committed to engaging the public meaningfully throughout the course of the 2026 San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Disparity Study. BBC Research & Consulting (BBC) will host various events to help the public understand the purpose of the study and offer opportunities for the public to submit insights and comments about their experiences working in the Bay Area and with BART. The events schedule will be updated regularly. Please check back periodically for those updates.
Public Meetings
In partnership with BART, BBC is conducting four virtual public meetings, during which we will present information about the disparity study, answer any questions, and solicit participants for any verbal or written insights regarding their experiences working in the Bay Area. Please check back for more information.
Any insights we receive during the meetings will be treated confidentially. They will be integrated as part of the project team’s analyses of marketplace conditions while keeping the sources anonymous. Please participate and make sure your insights are included as part of the study process!
Frequently Asked Questions
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 POC- and woman-owned business programs;
- Conditions in the local marketplace for POCs, women, and woman- and POC-owned businesses;
- Contracting practices and business assistance programs the agency currently has in place; and
- Potential program measures an agency could consider as part of its implementation of POC- and woman-owned business programs.
When will the disparity study be completed?
The study will be completed in January 2026. For the study schedule, click here.
What types of contracts and procurements are being studied?
The disparity study will examine prime contracts and subcontracts BART awarded between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2024. The study will examine construction, professional services, transit services, and non-professional services and supplies contracts and procurements.
What will BART do with information from the disparity study?
Information from the disparity study will help inform BART’s implementation of the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. Among other information, the disparity study will provide:
- An independent, objective review of the participation of POC- and woman-owned businesses in BART’s prime contracts and subcontracts. That information will be valuable to both BART leadership and external groups that help assess BART’s efforts to encourage underrepresented business owners to bid on BART contracts.
- Information that is useful for setting annual overall aspirational goals for the participation of POC- and woman-owned businesses; and
- Insights about how BART might improve contracting opportunities for local businesses and how it could better encourage the participation of POC- and woman-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 2026 BART Disparity Study:
Share your experiences working in the Bay Area or with BART by emailing the project team directly at [email protected].
- 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 Bay 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 Bay 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.
Materials
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) will provide access to relevant disparity study notes, presentations, and reports below. Please check back periodically for updated documents throughout the course of the study.
Public meetings flyer. A flyer advertising the upcoming public meetings.
Project initiation presentation. BART and BBC Research & Consulting (BBC) initiated the disparity study in February 2025 with a series of meetings with representatives from BART. BBC introduced the study, answered questions, and began the process of understanding contracting and vendor data BART maintains. For the presentation that the project team used for those meetings, click here.
Study timeline. The 2026 BART Disparity Study timeline.
Comments
Please submit any comments you may have about your experiences working in the Bay Area, working with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) or about the disparity study. Topic areas could include:
- Conditions in the marketplace, including any potential barriers businesses in the Bay Area face in being successful or growing;
- Contracting opportunities with BART or other government organizations;
- Business assistance programs BART or other government organizations currently use;
- Any recommendations for additional business assistance programs BART could consider implementing; or
- The 2026 BART Disparity Study itself.
Your comments will be treated confidentially. They will be integrated as part of the project team’s analyses of marketplace conditions while keeping the sources anonymous.
E-mail your confidential comments directly to the project team at [email protected]
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding the disparity study, please contact one of the following individuals:
Rudy Garza | Director of Civil Rights BART Office of Civil Rights | (t) 510-464-7194 | (e) [email protected]
Hoa Sin | Senior Program Manager BART Office of Civil Rights | (t) 510-464-7538 | (e) [email protected]
Sameer Bawa | Managing Director BBC Research & Consulting | (t) 303-321-2547 | (e) [email protected]
Betsy Sava | Project Manager BBC Research & Consulting | (t) 303-321-2547 | (e) [email protected] or at: [email protected]
You can also e-mail your questions directly to the project team at [email protected].